Apply for a stage hypnotism licence

You need a stage hypnotism licence from us to perform stage hypnosis in Royal Greenwich.

Legal requirements

It's a criminal offence under the Hypnotism Act 1952 if you:

• do not have a stage hypnotism licence before you perform
• perform stage hypnosis on anyone under the age of 18

We can attach any further conditions to that we deem necessary.

Conditions and performance standards

You must agree to follow our standard conditions.

Public liability insurance

You must be covered to a reasonable level, typically between £2 million and £5 million. This protects you and any volunteers.

Mandatory safety statement

At the start of each performance, you must give an opening statement. This ensures Informed consent.

You must also identify people who should not volunteer, including those who:

• have a history of mental illness
• are under the influence of alcohol
• are pregnant

Visible safety line

On a raised stage, there must be a clearly visible, continuous white or yellow line, parallel to the edge of the stage. You must instruct volunteers not to cross this line while hypnotised.

Access and supervision

Access between the stage and the auditorium must be lit and unobstructed.

If volunteers remain hypnotised during an interval, there must be a reasonable number of attendants present to ensure their safety.

Post-performance care

You must remove remove all individual and collective hypnotic suggestions.

Your responsibility as a hypnotist does not end when the performance is over. You must remain at the venue for at least 30 minutes after the show, to assist any volunteer or audience-member who may feel fuzzy, lightheaded or distressed.

Licence fee

The licence fee is £80.

Activities that are not allowed

Certain acts are banned because they carry a high risk:

• age regression - you must not ask anyone to revert to an earlier age in their life, but asking them to act as if they were a child, is allowed
• catalepsy - you must not suspend anyone between supports as this risks spinal injury
• pain-blocking - you must not use hypnosis to block cain
  noxious consumption - you must not ask anyone to consume a harmful or noxious substance, but normal edible items like onions and lemons
• distressing suggestions - you must not suggest anything that could cause a volunteer or the audience harm, anxiety or distress if it were real, such as loss of a body part
• no treatment - you must not give hypnotherapy or medical treatment, and if a problem occurs, you must only reassure the volunteer and remove all suggestions

When to apply

You must apply at least 28 days before the performance. This gives us time to consult with the Metropolitan Police and ensure safety checks are complete.

We may reduce this notice period if you've performed at the same venue within the last 3 years without incident.

Apply for a licence

You need to apply for a stage hypnotism licence on the GOV.UK website.

With your application, you'll need to:

• upload any performance procedure notes you use
• pay the licence fee

If it's your first application, you'll need to provide evidence of competency, such as:

• certificates of professional training
• a reference from a recognised hypnotism body, such as the Federation of Ethical Stage Hypnotists (FESH)