Audiences, Distances, and One Hell of a Blizzard

If you ever want a reminder of just how big the world is, try touring Northern Canada.

I’ve just wrapped up a run of shows across Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Regina, Edmonton, and a First Nations reservation, and I can safely say it was one of the most eye-opening (and weather-challenging) tours I’ve done in a long time.

I’ve toured the UK, Europe, and North America for years, but Canada, especially the northern stretches, hits different.

The Scale of Northern Canada Is Hard to Explain Until You Drive It

Let’s get this out of the way early: the size is incredible.

In the UK, a “long drive” between shows might be three or four hours.
In Northern Canada, I had a nine-hour drive between two shows. Long, straight roads. Huge skies. Very little in between.

And just to really drive the point home, at one point, the temperature hit -40.
Not “oh, that’s a bit chilly” cold, proper everything hurts, your face questions its life choices cold.
The kind of cold that makes you deeply respect anyone who calls this normal.

At one stage, that drive also involved pushing through a full-on blizzard, which is not something you forget in a hurry.

Touring at -40: You Earn Every Show

Touring Northern Canada also means dealing with cold on a completely different level. At one point, the temperature dropped to -40, which puts a whole new perspective on travel days, load-ins, and even just getting from the car to the venue.

It’s extreme, but it’s also part of what makes performing there memorable. You don’t just turn up and do a show… You earn it.

Corporate Events and First Nations Shows: Same Craft, Different Energy

The tour itself was a mix of corporate events and First Nations community shows, all in genuinely great rooms.

What really stood out was the audience balance.

Canadian audiences, in my experience, sit nicely between:

• 🇺🇸 American crowds (very outward, very loud, very “let’s go”)
• 🇬🇧 British crowds (more reserved, more observational)

They’ve got a really good sense of humour, they’re eager to volunteer, and they’re fully engaged — without trying to hijack the show. Not as “out there” as some American audiences, but definitely not as hard work as certain UK rooms can be.

That middle ground makes for a cracking hypnosis show.

Adapting the Show: What Works at Home Doesn’t Always Travel

One thing touring teaches you quickly is that not everything translates perfectly.

I didn’t need to rewrite the show, but I did tweak a couple of routines that rely heavily on very British references. The core stayed the same, my humour landed well, and the audiences got me — but knowing what to adjust is part of doing this properly.

That said, despite my best efforts…

I could not get them to sing along to Time of My Life.

Some battles you don’t win

First Nations Audiences: Present, Warm, and Properly In It

The First Nations event was particularly memorable.

The audience was attentive, warm, and genuinely present. When people volunteered, they committed, and that’s where hypnosis really shines. No cynicism, no distractions, just people there to enjoy the experience.

Moments like that remind you that great hypnosis isn’t about tricks, it’s about trust, shared laughter, and reading the room properly.

Touring Is a Team Sport

Big shout-out to Corrie J for organising the tour and looking after me along the way.

Not only an absolute pro behind the scenes, but genuinely one of the best hypnosis shows I’ve seen. When you’ve been doing this as long as I have, you don’t say that lightly.

Why Tours Like This Matter

Tours like this sharpen you as a performer.

They remind you that:

• Audiences are different, but laughter is universal
• Adaptability matters
• Respecting the room always pays off

Whether it’s a corporate crowd in Edmonton, a community event in Saskatchewan, or a packed theatre back home in Yorkshire, the job stays the same:

Read the room. Keep it clean. Make it funny. Leave people better than you found them.

I’ve played tough rooms in my time but nothing humbles you quite like stepping outside at -40 and realising the weather is the real headliner.

Northern Canada was challenging, inspiring, and absolutely worth it, blizzards, long roads, and frozen eyelashes included.

If you’re a booker looking for an experienced, international stage hypnotist…
a performer thinking about taking your show abroad…
or just someone curious about how hypnosis plays to different cultures…

This tour was a reminder that the work travels if you do it properly.