Straight from a 70 show Off-Broadway run in New York City, HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis is embarking on an 18-city Canadian national tour, beginning February 3, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Colin Mochrie and Asad Mecci are bringing the show to the Chatham Capitol Theatre on February 18, 2023.
Dana Haggith caught up with the pair for an interview. Listen, below:
An international success story, HYPROV (pronounced hip-rawv) has performed 190+ shows and has been seen by a staggering 100,000 people throughout North America and Europe.
The live show, which has been called a “celebration of the human imagination” by The Times of London, combines hypnosis and improv for a one of a kind comedy experience.
“HYPROV was born in Canada,” said Mecci.
“It’s only right that we come back home immediately following such a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run. This has been an incredible adventure from when we first created the show in 2015, and we plan to continue to tour the show bringing it to new audiences around the world.”
“I’m still shocked that Asad is able to hypnotise people night after night,” Mochrie added.
“I still get nervous wondering what is going to happen, but each night I’m blown away. I have to keep myself from laughing.”
The 90-minute show combines hypnosis and improv–two art forms that have mystified and entertained fans, skeptics and everyone in between worldwide–for a totally unique comedy experience.
The evening begins with Mecci welcoming 20 volunteers on stage to be hypnotized.
The most receptive to hypnosis then join Mochrie to improvise the rest of the show, while hypnotized.
In the hands of two experts–and solely crafted from the volunteers’ uninhibited, unconscious minds–each show is an entirely original and completely unforgettable theatrical experience.
HYPROV was created in 2016 at Toronto’s Second City.
After working it out on stage, they took the show on the road to Just for Laughs London, Just for Laughs Montreal and the Edinburgh Fringe where it was received with rave reviews in 2016 and 2017.
The duo set out on a 60-city tour from 2019-2022, which continues across Canada and the U.S. in 2023-2024.
HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis is based on the Off-Broadway show, which was co-created by Colin Mochrie, Asad Mecci and Jeff Andrews.
Directed by Stan Zimmerman, executive produced by Cody Lassen, produced by Sarah Power, and co-produced by Chaz Naor, Oui BeLeaf (NHR), Jörn Weisbrodt, Joan Tosoni, M.J. Power International Inc, Salah Bachir, Brad Blume, Matteo Golini, Esther Kim, Lorena Zvi Shiff, Marc Stern Family, Toufik Sarwa, The Descourouez Group, MKFD; in association with Bilo Investments LLC, Nancy Donohue, Kors Le Pere Theatricals, David Lipowicz, The Mecci Family, and Zorbas Whittle Inc.
Tickets are now on sale at HYPROV.com.
HYPROV Canadian Tour Dates 2023:
February 3: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Light House Arts Centre
February 4: Moncton, New Brunswick, Capitol Theatre
February 5: Charlottetown, PEI, Confederation Centre of the Arts
February 9: Lindsay, Ontario, FLATO Academy Theatre
February 10: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
February 11: Windsor, Ontario, Chrysler Theatre – St. Clair College
February 15: Brantford, Ontario, Sanderson Centre
February 16: Brampton, Ontario, The Rose Brampton
February 17: Oakville, Ontario, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
February 18: Chatham, Ontario, Chatham Capitol Theatre
February 23: Guelph, Ontario, River Run Centre
February 24: North Bay, Ontario, Capitol Centre
February 25: Ottawa, Ontario, National Arts Centre
March 20: Calgary, Alberta, Jack Singer Concert Hall
March 22: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Festival Place
March 23: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Festival Place
April 4: Fredericton, New Brunswick, The Playhouse
April 5: Saint. John, New Brunswick, Imperial Theatre
April 6: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rebecca Cohn Auditorium – Dalhousie University
