Review by Markus Hamence – Hypnotist Matt Hale – FUNBELIEVABLE! 90s Rewind – Performance date: Sunday 15 March 2026. Gluttony, Adelaide, South Australia.
Hypnotist Matt Hale – FUNBELIEVABLE! 90s Rewind: Hyp Me Baby One More Time! The unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist of Edinburgh Fringe brings his brand new 90s party hypnoshow to Adelaide! As seen on BBC, 200 million + views online, multiple sell-out Fringe runs. Enjoy from stage or audience – you choose! All-ages friendly.
My hype on the hyp? Read below…
Matt Hale’s FUNBELIEVABLE! arrives at the Adelaide Fringe like a full-tilt nostalgia party wrapped inside a hypnosis experiment, and the result is one of those shows where the audience becomes the real headline act.
Playing at The May Wirth in Gluttony at Rymill Park, Hale’s 60-minute hypno-comedy ride is built around a bold premise: invite everyday punters on stage, drop them into a hypnotic state, and unleash a whirlwind of ridiculous 90s-fuelled scenarios. The British performer has been a regular favourite across Fringe circuits worldwide, and his polished confidence on stage makes it clear why audiences keep coming back.
“Hale’s real skill lies in his tone. Rather than poking fun at participants, he champions them…”
Markus Hamence
From the moment Hale walks out, the vibe is electric. His presence is upbeat, cheeky and instantly disarming, creating a space where volunteers feel safe enough to surrender to the madness. A large group of audience members are brought on stage to take part in the hypnotic adventure, transforming the performance into a collaborative spectacle where spontaneity reigns supreme.
What follows is a cascade of surreal comedy moments. Participants suddenly find themselves singing, dancing, quoting movie lines, or morphing into pop-culture icons from the 90s. The room erupts as volunteers belt out nostalgic one-liners or throw themselves into chaotic dance routines that feel half-dream, half-party. It’s a strange mix of psychology, theatre and pure Fringe silliness – and it works brilliantly.
Hale’s real skill lies in his tone. Rather than poking fun at participants, he champions them. The volunteers become the heroes of the show, and the laughter comes from shared absurdity rather than embarrassment. That generosity keeps the atmosphere warm and inclusive, meaning even the most sceptical audience member ends up swept along by the joy of it all.
“…more like a collective throwback party where everyone – hypnotised or not – is invited to let loose…”
Markus Hamence
The soundtrack running through FUNBELIEVABLE! becomes a character in its own right, adding another layer of energy, turning the hypnosis sequences into a retro dancefloor fever dream and tapping straight into a wave of pure 90s nostalgia. Matt Hale cleverly drops in instantly recognisable hits that spark both laughter and sing-along moments, with volunteers suddenly finding themselves belting out Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall‘, dramatically recreating Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On‘, or channelling their inner pop superstar with Britney Spears classics blasting through the tent. These musical cues send the hypnotised participants into hilarious overdrive – whether it’s power-ballad theatrics or full-blown pop choreography – and the crowd laps up every second, turning the room into joy-filled chaos. Nostalgia hits hard, and suddenly the tent feels less like a theatre and more like a collective throwback party where everyone – hypnotised or not – is invited to let loose.
FUNBELIEVABLE! proves that Matt Hale isn’t just a hypnotist; he’s a master of crowd chemistry. The show thrives on unpredictability, audience connection, getting bonkers and a big dose of playful chaos.
Wrap-up: Part mind experiment, part comedy gig and part retro rave, Matt Hale’s FUNBELIEVABLE! is a wildly entertaining Fringe experience that leaves the crowd laughing, dancing and wondering just how much of what they witnessed was hypnosis – and how much was simply the power of a room full of people ready to have a brilliant time.
Hypnotist Matt Hale – FUNBELIEVABLE! 90s Rewind
Friday 20 February – Sunday 22 March 2026
The May Wirth at Gluttony – Rymill Park
Tickets
Check out my recent INTERVIEW with Matt Hale
