The unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist of Edinburgh Fringe, Matt Hale, is back to bring his brand-new 90s party hypnoshow home to Perth!
Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind has garnered over 200 million views online, with multiple sell-out Fringe runs and the promise to deliver an hour of constant laughter. The show hits The Royale Theatre at Planet Royale and Pink Fairy at FringeConnect Stirling @ Scarborough from Wednesday, January 21, to Sunday, February 15, with tickets on sale now. Natasha Paul sat down with Matt Hale to find out more about his comedic nineties hypnoshow, international travel, and audience participation in his shows.
Congratulations on returning to Fringe World with your show, Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind! How does it feel to be back home performing on the Perth Fringe stage?
Honestly? It feels funbelievable!
Perth Fringe World is home turf for me and where it all began. My first Fringe World was over ten years ago, with just a couple of small shows, and now each year I get to return to perform in big venues for almost every night that Fringe runs. The Perth audiences are always up for it; they’re playful, and they don’t need much encouragement to jump in. Coming back with a show that’s bigger, tighter, and more ridiculous than ever feels like throwing the ultimate 90s house party. Except this time, everyone’s invited!
The show is interestingly described as a comedic nineties party hypnoshow. Can you tell us a little about what audiences can expect from the show?
The show is jam-packed full of 90s bangers, movie references and other iconic 90s throwbacks, with the volunteers from the audience becoming the absolute stars of the show. Amongst other bizarre situations (have you ever driven the Venga Bus?), you’ll see everyday people turn into pop icons and bust out some of the best… and worst… dance moves from the 90s, all while the room loses it laughing.
It’s fast, fun, and packed with nostalgia. Even if you don’t come on stage, you’ll be crying with laughter watching your friends, partners, or complete strangers do things they’ll be talking about for years.
How does Funbelievable! 90s Rewind differ from your previous comedy hypnosis shows like Top Fun! 80’s Spectacular – Remix, besides the obvious decade switch?
Obviously the routines are completely different from the last show, but whereas the 80s show was loud, colourful chaos, the 90s show is a full-blown party! I have no idea why, but the references hit differently, the music hits harder, and the audience reactions are next level. The singalongs are definitely louder!
Funbelievable! 90s Rewind has garnered over 200 million views online, with multiple sell-out Fringe runs. What’s been the best part of travelling internationally and performing the show?
Without a doubt, seeing how universal the laughter is. Whether it’s Perth, Edinburgh, London, or somewhere totally unexpected, people respond the same way—big laughs, huge energy, and that “Did that really just happen?” feeling at the end. I love hearing from people afterwards who say they came in not knowing what to expect and left with their face hurting from laughing. That never gets old, no matter how many countries you perform in.
The show relies heavily on audience participation—why do you think this element is so important for the success of your show?
It turns the night into something completely unique. I work with twenty different volunteers each show, and yes, it is a volunteers-only show. No-one ever gets picked on, but to be honest, you generally have to beat the rush to the stage! So, no two shows are ever the same. The audience is the show. When you see real people doing real but totally unexpected things, it creates a shared moment that feels spontaneous and electric.
People don’t just watch—they feel part of it. That’s why friends come back with new groups, and why people talk about it long after the night ends.
What’s the rest of your year looking like? Do you have any future shows planned after Fringe World next year?
It’s shaping up to be a big one. After Fringe World, I’ll be taking Funbelievable! 90s Rewind straight to Adelaide Fringe for a month, then a string of international dates, performing on a few of those mega-size cruise ships, and private events. After that, a few months based in the UK, which includes taking the show back to Edinburgh Fringe in August for an encore season, as it debuted in Edinburgh last year.
But right now, the focus is Perth. If you want to see this show in its absolute prime, Fringe World is the place to do it. Once the run sells out… that’s it.
Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind hits The Royale Theatre at Planet Royale and Pink Fairy at FringeConnect Stirling @ Scarborough from Wednesday, January 21, to Sunday, February 15.
Tickets are on sale now from fringeworld.com.au
