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I put a spell on you >> Hip hypnotist Anthony Cools will drive you out of your mind by RUPERT BOTTENBERG
Calgary's Anthony Cools is the wild card in the loaded deck of stage hypnotism. Think that nonsense won't work on you? Give the man two minutes and you won't just be clucking like a chicken, you'll be doing something that rhymes with clucking. Mirror: I understand your show has a lot of what was once called "blue" material. Care to expand on that? Anthony Cools: It's an uncensored adult show, meaning that the show has been brought from the typical sequined-tuxedoes-and-goatees days to the '90s. And in the '90s I think a little bit of darker humour, blue humour, what is lately called dirty humour, is more readily acceptable. M: Can you give me some examples of the tricks that you do? AC: Well, I don't really like to talk about the show too much, because I want people to come down and figure it out on their own. But I will say this: there is fornication with furniture in show. M: That's a good teaser! How did you get started in the hypnosis racket? AC: A lot of reading. I read on neurolinguistics programming and creative visualization, and I've always had a fascination with the paranormal and psychic energy. And then I started DJing, and it sort of combined itself into this. M: What's the difference between hypnotism and mesmerism? AC: Well, hypnotism is real, and mesmerism is more trickery and hoaxing. M: I understand you won't allow other hypnotists to hypnotize you. Why is that? AC: With a phrase or two they could destroy my career, by making me forget my education. It's a very cutthroat world out there, the world of stage hypnosis. There are a lot of very evil guys out there, and I wouldn't trust anybody with my career! M: Have you ever looked in a mirror and put the whammy on yourself by mistake? AC: I don't need to look into a mirror to do it. I trance myself almost everyday. I haven't had a hangover in years. It comes in very useful, actually--I get by on less sleep and wake up in the morning feeling good about myself. M: Have you ever considered using your "special powers" for criminal purposes? AC: Okay, first of all, the only "special power" I have is an education. As far as the criminal purposes go, the answer is, "Why?" I'm very happy and making a lot of money doing what I do right now! M: Have you ever used hypnosis to help your romantic life? AC: No, I'm a happily married man! M: In closing, any thoughts on The Man They Call Reveen? AC: The guru! The guru of hypnosis! Actually, I met him one time, about three years ago in Calgary, and he gave me a big piece of advice. He said, "If you want to make it big in this business, never use the word 'fuck-up' on stage!" Anthony Cools performs on Thursday and Friday, January 21 and 22, at Club Soda, 8pm, $11.50+taxes, and at Bourbon Street West Sunday to Tuesday, January 24 to 26, 9pm, $12
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Your eyelids are getting heavy... you feel yourself drifting slowly away... and wham-o! You're clucking like a chicken in front of your boss, date and grandmother.