HYPNOSIS & IMPROV…A STRIKINGLY FUNNY COMBINATION!
Credit Colin Mochrie and Asad Mecci for a spectacular show!
Long before I got into performing in Improv myself, I was a fan of the television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” where four of the best would take suggestions from the audience and turn them into funny scenes, a formula which dates back to the 1950’s.
One of the regulars on that show was Colin Mochrie, whose dry sense of humor first made him a hit on Canadian television, and over nine years with the “Whose Line” cast in its British iteration (1998-2007).
When I heard Colin was coming to San Diego to perform with hypnotist Asad Mecci in an Improv/Hypnotism mash-up called “HYPROV,” I not only wanted to see it, I wanted to meet the man who was part of my inspiration to perform in Improv myself.
After reaching out to the publicist at the San Diego County Fair, I was able to conduct an interview with Colin and Asad for an article that was published on San Diego Jewish World’s website prior to the event (see below).
I can honestly say that having spent close to five decades interviewing newsmakers and celebrities from many walks of life, this was one I was looking forward to as much if not more than any other.
From my Journal, June 2, 2025:
Monday. First order of business was a video call interviewing hypnotist Asad Mecci and improv comic Colin Mochrie ahead of their “Hyprov” show combing hypnotism and improv at the San Diego County Fair June 18. I’m writing a pre-event story for San Diego Jewish World’s website.
Over 25 minutes we talked about the show and how hypnotism works, how improv works with everyday people by eliminating the self-reflection that keeps them from being truly spontaneous, and why their format has been so successful.
Gotta admit, in addition to Hyprov a highlight was talking to Colin about this role as Ralph Fellows in “Murdoch Mysteries” (I’ve written and produced the video promos for every episode of the show’s 18 seasons). He laughed when I brought it up and said he’d gotten his first appearance on the show after posting on social media “Am I the only Canadian actor who has never been on this thing?” He was a hit, and then he returned in another episode as the same character, but suddenly he was a serial killer! He’s done six episodes now. “I keep thinking at some point they’re gonna catch me.”
Knocked the article out in a few hours; it should be posted tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the show in a few weeks.
Asad Mecci and Colin Mochrie (above)
There’s a saying that anticipation is the most exciting part of any event. For me, seeing the “Hyprov” show was even better than my hope for what the show would be. And what happened after the show was icing on the cake.
June 18, 2025:
After dinner we went to see Improv comedian Colin Mochrie and hypnotist Asad Mecci perform the show they call “Hyprov,” which in effect was two shows in one.
At the beginning, 20 volunteers came on stage and were put under hypnotic trance by Asad, from which (after giving them a small variety of suggestions) he winnowed the group down to seven, and after a few more brief hypnotic motions, selected four who would continue to the Improv portion of the show.
The 20 or so minutes to get through the selection process was worth the price of admission alone. Asad’s commanding voice coupled with the ethereal music made me feel at rest even in the back half of the theatre with my eyes wide open (colorful graphics projected onstage were purely for the benefit of the audience…those 20 seated on stage faced the audience with their eyes closed). It was fascinating to watch and hear. I’d bet Asad could hypnotize an entire audience of 500.
Once the hypnotized improv team was selected, Colin returned and along with Asad they orchestrated a series of improv scenes (based on suggestions from the audience). With all the self-awareness or nerves that would hold non-performers (and even many professional performers) back, these four volunteers were fearless as the characters assigned to them (like the pop star who belted out a duet with Colin), quite frank (a girl who was a contestant on a “Bachelor” type show confided to Colin “I’ve had a crush on you ever since I was eleven”) and very present (as a city employee calling out San Diego for their potholes and homeless problem…funny in its surprisingly bare honesty as the character portrayed it).
I laughed as hard as I had at the best of any improv show at NCT or PRN. I literally had to dry my eyes at a few points. Colin was a master at following where these untrained improvisers were taking him. He told me in our interview a few weeks ago and said tonight that when he’s performing with his fellow Improv pros, there’s usually a sense of where a scene is going and the performers all work together to take it there. These non-pros are not thinking of the structure of the scene. Colin is the “ringmaster” of sorts who brings it all together. He’s just brilliant.
Producer Sarah Power invited us backstage after the show to meet Colin and Asad, which was a great thrill for me. In a way it wrapped up an adventure that started more than two weeks ago when we did our 25-minute video chat which I wrote about in San Diego Jewish World.
I told Sarah after the show…and I meant it…I would travel somewhere far a chance to see this show again. And if I do, I’d love another opportunity to go backstage and visit with these two great performers once more!
My cousin Fred Schenk, who is President of the 22nd District Agricultural Association and Chair of Field Operations for the San Diego County Fair, told me after the show that he’d love to invite Colin and Asad back again next year. If he does, I’ll bring as many friends as I can. It’s an experience meant to be shared with others.
Here I am with Asad Mecci, Colin Mochrie and my cousins Shari and Fred Schenk (above)
Here is my article previewing the show:
Here is the “Hyprov” website. Perhaps they’ll be appearing soon somewhere near you:
HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis - Comedy Show
I hope everyone reading this column has a chance to enjoy this show sometime. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
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Interesting article. Whose Line is one of my favorites. I usually watch several episode a week for a good laugh. I love a good pun, and Colin is the best.