Gerard V

Comedy Hypnotist Gerard V (aka Gerard Verschuren) has been hypnotising people since 1994.  Gerard is a certified Master Practitioner of Hypnosis and Neurolinguistic Programming, and has a Diploma in Stage Hypnosis from the Alberta Institute of Hypnosis.

Gerard’s career in hypnosis began by accident in 1994 when he received a pamphlet in the mail advertising a weekend course in hypnotism.

Not believing that such a course even existed, or that it was possible to learn something so cool in such a short time, Gerard contacted the organisers to check them out.  Sceptical about their claims but still curious, he enrolled in the weekend course.

“I was completely surprised to find that it didn’t take a whole weekend to learn to hypnotise”, says Gerard V. “In fact I had hypnotised my first volunteer 2 hours after the course started”.

“Some people are naturally good dancers or singers, it turns out that I am naturally good at hypnotising people.  I was as surprised as anyone could be to find that out”.

Gerard went on to complete diplomas in various forms of therapy, but has continued with his regular work in the computer industry, preferring that to “fixing people”.

“In 2005 I had had enough of my corporate life and thought why not go on stage?  Not long after I did my first show which turned out fairly well, but I wanted much better than to be merely Ok”.

A large part of the credit for success of Gerard’s show goes to Simon Murcott who designed the sound and light production that goes with the show, and is integral to the actual performance.

“Simon turned up to our first show with a great deal of equipment, and no idea what would actually happen”, says Gerard V, “I told him to just do what seemed right and we’d wing it from there; and that is how we do every show.  We improvise constantly based on the volunteers and the audience reaction”.

Gerard V watched the video of his first show over and over, thinking of ways to make it better and in his own words “cringing at my mistakes even if no-one else really noticed them!” One of the guests at that first show booked Gerard V for another show, and while the first show was Ok, the second show was outstanding.

Gerard V has gone on from there to perform throughout New Zealand and in Australia, at clubs and company events (he is a hit at company Xmas parties).  He frequently does fund raising shows for schools and sporting groups.

Another unique feature of Gerard’s show is the way he treats the audience and his volunteers.  He is careful to treat them as guests and as stars, there are no humiliating gags or embarrassing skits.  “I really dislike the common practise overseas of laughing at someone else’s expense.  That is mean and not the way I was taught to behave.   I want my volunteers to come back next time and to invite their friends.  So we treat them like the stars that they are.  We use a theatre sports style of presentation, improvised theatre, and everyone loves those guys for their skills.”

The show is now very polished, and continually changing and adapting with new material, new jokes, and even better production equipment.

“We love our toys.  The idea of just turning up with a microphone and using the house lights and PA just doesn’t appeal.  People want a show, and to feel immersed in the event even if they are not on stage.  We like to have complete control of the sound and the lighting to create a real sense of occasion”.

“We want everyone to have the best time!”

Gerard’s full name is Gerard Verschuren. He was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and lives in Wellington.

Gerard performs in New Zealand and Australia, and is available for bookings in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Melbourne, Sydney, most other Australasian cities and pretty much anywhere in the world.

Stage Hypnotists have been a conservative group. Many have learned their material by copying the work of others, sometimes as far back as Mesmer himself. There is a growing realization that stage hypnosis has to branch out, and to move away from the old stereotyped “master hypnotist makes people do stupid things” to arrive at a more friendly show that people will enjoy and will want to volunteer for.

For the most part though, New Zealand has not been well served, until Gerard V came along, and Reg Blackwood (Christchurch), most shows have been fairly traditional, slightly humiliating, and very derivative.