Gerard V

A Gerard V show opens like stand-up, a few quick laughs to set the scene, before he asks for volunteers. People come up by choice, and usually more of them than you'd expect. Then the hypnosis happens in front of everyone, and the stunts and gags follow. It's clean and fast, made for conferences, sporting clubs, licensed venues and company nights. You can pick a 45, 60, 75 or 90-minute show. He can also MC the whole event, and there's a sales programme of one to four hours. Under about 150 people you may not need a stage, just a private space and some chairs, and he can usually supply speakers and lights. Two decades and 700-plus shows have taken him through Papua New Guinea, the USA, New Zealand and around Australia, and his client list includes Deloitte, Toyota, Collingwood FC and Telstra. Melbourne-based, insured, travels nationwide.