Hypnosis for charity

If you happen to be a keen Juventus supporter attending this evening's special edition of Xarabank, you could possibly be doing the unthinkable.

If Alan Bates is successful in using his hypnotic powers, you will be running around the studio and cheering and kissing the guests in the belief that Manchester United have scored a goal - against your own beloved Juventus!

This is one of several hypnotic sketches lined up for this evening's charity programme, masterminded by one of Europe's finest hypnotists.

The programme forms part of a series of events organised by Xarabank to raise money for the Razzett tal-Hbiberija. Mr Bates will also be steering a seminar where he will attempt to start smokers on the way to stubbing out their habit.

It is the British hypnotist's third visit to Malta and each time he has left his audiences spellbound thanks to his magical and often hilarious acts.

The Xarabank team will this morning be rounding up a number of people who suffer from phobias. Mr Bates will have to grapple with people scared of anything under the sky - from chickens to birds to bananas.

Two years ago, he worked wonders on phobic individuals and the results will be clearly manifested tonight. Suffice it to say that one woman who used to get the shivers at the sight of a mouse has since then adopted a door-mouse as a pet!

Another man who used to smoke up to 50 cigarettes a day will talk about the way he has managed to kick the habit after undergoing Mr Bates's hypnotherapy.

"The response for this programme has been overwhelming and the show is going to be something extraordinary," Xarabank presenter Peppi Azzopardi said, ahead of this evening's special edition.

A number of celebrities, including Julie and Ludwig, will be among those present who have accepted to participate in this evening's programme.

Before the programme, Mr Bates would start what is known as the hypnotic induction process (or putting his subjects "on ice").

Speaking to The Times yesterday, Mr Bates would not divulge what is up his sleeve for this evening's show, though he promises it will be a completely different set to the one he staged in the past.

One thing he is prepared to expose - literally - in his subjects' minds is a particular sketch where he convinces those being hypnotised that the audience watching them is naked.

But Mr Bates is quick to point out he would not perform anything that might cross the moral boundaries of his subject. "I'd like to think of myself as a gentleman and whatever I do in my show is always in good taste. Besides, nobody will be hypnotised against their will," he guaranteed.

The key to his success lies in his ability to communicate and entertain people and the ease with which he manages to put people under his spell.

If you were thinking of acting smart and planning to go on stage pretending to be hypnotised, forget it. With 20 years in the business, Mr Bates can clearly decipher between those who are susceptible to hypnosis and those who are not.

Despite his busy schedule he has found time to write a book: Hypnotic Star.

Anybody who wants to participate in the smoking cessation seminar taking place on Friday and Saturday can call 2163 3141 or 7949 3293.