JAMES M. SPEA
A master hypnotist and comedian, Richard De La Font, amazed sell-out crowds at Johnny B's comedy club in Provo Saturday night.
De La Font has been in the business of hypnosis since 1969. He claims to be the fastest hypnotist in the business, boasting that there's no one faster than instantaneous.
De La Font looks like a hypnotist in his all black apparel. His hair is wiry and long and he wears a thick moustache. De La Font also looks like an entertainer. There is an air of Las Vegas that surrounds him. He began his show, asking for three volunteers to join him on the stage.
'Anyone who has been suffering from neck or back pains, or head aches? .. I can help you get rid of them so that you can enjoy the rest of the show without pain,' De La Font said.
Three people joined the hypnotist on the stage -- two women and a man. One at a time they described their ailments to De La Font. Dave Crandall of Provo, Utah, described his day of mountain biking and moving furniture as he rubbed his sore neck. Then looking his subjects in the eyes, De La Font stretched his hand over their faces and lowered them to the floor as they seemingly passed out. The crowd looked dumbfounded. They were tapped an the shoulder and forehead and helped up by De La Font. One by one, the three left the stage thanking him, looking cured and relaxed.
Was this for real or were these people just part of De La Font's show? Crandall explained to me later that he was very aware of what was going on, but he believes that he was hypnotized.
'I felt really tired. ... My knees buckled and I had to lie down,' Crandall said.
'Not everyone can be hypnotized,' De La Font explained. 'Hypnosis requires an ability to follow basic instructions, to use one's imagination, to trust your hypnotist, and to be willing. If you can become emotionally involved in certain experiences, such as watching sad movies, you can probably be hypnotized.'
The show continued as De La Font invited anyone to join him on the stage to fill the twelve chairs behind him. There was no shortage for volunteers. One after another the they were put to sleep, slumping over in their chairs.
De La Font told his subjects that when they woke up they would not be able to remember their own names. He woke them up and asked each person to introduce themselves. One man pulled his wallet out hoping to remember his name. The audience laughed hysterically. De La Font took the man's wallet and read his name.
'Mr. Man, hmm you have a strange first name. Do you mind if I spell it? ... B.A.T.T,' De La Font said, turning back to the fellow. Handing him his wallet, he asked him to read his name.
'Batman,' the man replied, looking confused but satisfied.
If you are interested in seeing a hypnotist, Johnny B's will be featuring another show with a different performer by the name of Boris September 19 - 21.