Hypnotism

Stage hypnotism permit

If you want to hold any exhibition, demonstration or performance of hypnotism, you must get written permission from the council before the event

This rule applies to any activity covered by the Hypnotism Act 1952 [external link]. The event must also meet the Council's conditions relating to the use of hypnotism.

Conditions

Conditions for hypnotism, mesmerism or any similar act or process which produces or is intended to produce in any other person any form of induced sleep or trance in which the susceptibility of the mind of that person to suggestion or direction is increased or intended to be increased.

Information required

You must tell the Council in writing at least 28 days before the performance.

You will need to provide:

the hypnotist's full name and stage name (if different)
the hypnotist's address
details of the hypnotist's last three performances. This includes where and when they took place.

A statement giving full details about any previous:

refusal or withdrawal of consent by a licensing authority.
convictions under the Hypnotism Act 1952.
convictions or offences for breaching conditions relating to hypnotism performances.

Publicity

No poster, advertisement or programme for the performance of which is likely to cause public offence shall be displayed, sold or supplied by or on behalf of the licensee either at the premises or elsewhere.

Every poster, advertisement or programme for the performance, which is displayed, sold or supplied shall include, clearly and legibly the following statement:

"Volunteers, who must be aged 18 or over, can refuse at any point to continue taking part in the performance".

Insurance

The performance must have an appropriate level of public liability insurance.

The hypnotist must:

provide evidence of insurance if requested by the council
have proof of insurance for inspection at the event.

Safety arrangements

To help keep volunteers safe:

access between the audience area and the stage must be well lit and free from obstacles
any raised stage must have a continuous white or yellow safety line at a safe distance from the front edge. This must run the whole width of the stage
the hypnotist must tell volunteers not to cross the line while under hypnosis unless instructed as part of the performance.

Treatment of audience and subjects

Before the performance begins, the hypnotist must explain:

who should not volunteer.
what volunteers may be asked to do.
possible risks, such as embarrassment or anxiety.
that participation is voluntary and volunteers can stop at any time.

The following is a suggested statement. This must be amended as necessary to suit individual styles as long as the overall message remains the same:

"I shall be looking for volunteers aged over 18 who are willing to be hypnotised and participate in the show.

Anyone who comes forward should be prepared to take part in a range of entertaining hypnotic suggestions but can be assured that they will not be asked to do anything which is indecent, offensive or harmful.

Volunteers need to be in normal physical and mental health and I must ask that no one volunteers if they have a history of mental illness, or are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or are pregnant".

Voluntary participation

Participation must always be voluntary

The hypnotist must not:

pressure or force anyone to take part
use selection techniques designed to persuade people to join the performance without fully understanding what they are agreeing to (for example, asking members of the audience to clasp their hands together and asking those who cannot free them again to come onto the stage).

If selection techniques are used, the audience must know:

what is happening
why it is happening
that participation is voluntary.

If volunteers remain hypnotised during an interval or break, a suitable number of attendants (as agreed with the licensing authority) must be present to ensure their safety.

Prohibited actions

The performance must not be likely to cause any:

offence
harm
distress
anxiety

to any person in the audience or any hypnotised subject.

The performance must not include:

age regression (asking someone to return mentally to an earlier stage of their life). This does not include from asking subjects to act as if they were a child, for example
suggestions that a person has lost a body part or something important which could cause distress if it really occurred
suspending a participant between two supports ("catalepsy")
consuming harmful or dangerous substances
demonstrations claiming hypnosis can block pain, such as pushing needles through the skin
the giving of hypnotherapy or any other form of treatment.

Ending the performance

Before the performance ends:

all hypnotic suggestions must be removed
all participants must remain in the room where the performance takes place and with the hypnotist until this has been done
the hypnotist must check that each participant feels well and relaxed
any hypnotic or post-hypnotic suggestions must be removed from the minds of all subjects and audience. (Post-hypnotic suggestions are generally not allowed, but the hypnotist may tell subjects that they will feel well and relaxed once all other suggestions are removed).

The hypnotist must remain available for at least 30 minutes after the show to reassure with any concerns or minor after-effects. These could be things such as headaches or dizziness. This does not imply that the hypnotist is an appropriate person to treat anyone who is unwell.

Inspection and enforcement

The following people may enter the venue if they believe a hypnotism performance is taking place or is about to take place:

a police officer
an authorised officer from the licensing authority
an authorised officer from the fire authority.

They may inspect the event to make sure the conditions of approval are being followed.