Audio By Carbonatix
What is the potential of the human mind when everyday distractions are removed? Is there a wellspring of untapped aptitude waiting to be awakened and used for the good of all mankind? Or is the result more primal, focusing on the satisfaction of needs and desire for attention? Most likely the answer lies between these extremes, which leaves plenty of room for comedian and hypnotist Flip Orley to tread.
Orley’s popular stage show combines his love for stand-up comedy with his interests in psychology (he has a degree from the University of Arizona) and hypnotism (which he studied at the Chicago Institute of Hypnotism). Now he frequents improvisation stages nationwide and television talk shows.
Unlike his peers on comedy club stages, Orley’s charm doesn’t stem from his need for laughs, adulation or attention; instead he needs you personally. His shows depend on audience members for the entertainment, with Orley acting only as a catalyst and moderator. He admits this in the opening monologue, stressing that he doesn’t intend to embarrass his participants or make anyone do anything they don’t want to. He also emphasizes that the person under hypnosis will be in complete control the whole time.
So, during his shows, are we watching a group of people who have been given free license to be themselves in front of their friends and a crowd of strangers? Or are we watching something akin to karaoke with a crystal ball? After all, everyone from office supply managers to administrative assistants has dreams of stardom. Who can tell if the volunteers are truly under hypnosis or performing some kind of fantasy wish fulfillment? Either way the id speaks for itself.
On opening night of Orley’s two-week run at the Addison Improv, a participant tells how she wore a Cinderella costume, “kicked the shit” out of some guy who grabbed her ass and was led away in handcuffs. Another then proclaimed in two separate stories how she wanted to sleep with the guy sitting next to her onstage. Of course we can’t really know if it’s acting or hypnosis without experiencing it for ourselves.
Another volunteer described the experience as “like tripping on acid, except I’ve never done acid.” Drug references aside, this is as wild as Orley’s show got. No one is forced to bark like a dog or walk like a duck. Nor did it, as someone suggested, involve “girls being forced to take off their panties and frat guys admitting they’re queer.”
However, Orley, true to his word, does have an affable way with his audience and seems to genuinely respect the people he works with during the show. He kept the show in good humor, never looking down on anyone or belittling anyone for the sake of a laugh. Despite any degrees or other awards he can claim, that quality is perhaps his most valuable skill.
