Before the discovery of swinging pocket watches, hypnotists induced a deep sleep in audiences by showing French films without subtitles or forcing patients to take notes on a five-hour family vacation slideshow. Watch modern day hypnotism at work with today's Groupon: for $15, you get one general-admission ticket to comedy hypnotist Marc Savard at the V Theater, located in the Miracle Mile Shops inside of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip (up to a $45 value). Shows run Saturdays through Thursdays at 10:00 p.m.
Marc Savard, cofounder of the International Institute of Hypnosis, mystifies audiences of his stage show through a unique blend of comedy and hypnotism. Savard begins his 75-minute interactive performance by bringing volunteer audience members to the stage and using his combined powers of hypnosis, suggestion, and sad puppy-dog face to seduce subjects into following his comedic whims. Funny bones and laugh ligaments get a full workout as Savard leads volunteers through a series of gags; past bits have included making the subjects think their belts are live snakes, having them pose for an 'adult' photo shoot, and even having them slow dance with a mop. For those not brought on stage, the V Theater irrigates thirsty audiences with a full bar and cocktail service, as well as an obliging team of Super Soaker–armed ushers.
V Theater
Producer and V Theater owner David Saxe was born into Vegas show business, raised by a mother who danced at Les Folies Bergere and a father who led the band for the Rat Pack. Saxe’s V Theater runs its nine concurrent shows in a 40,000-square-foot space divided into four showrooms on multiple floors, each retaining an intimate feeling with seating that brings the audience closer to performers. The V Theater’s current shows range from a seven-act, family-friendly Ultimate Variety Show to Marc Savard’s Comedy Hypnosis, an entertaining act where Savard persuades audience members to hilariously dance, act like animals, and ghostwrite his autobiography.