THERE are probably those who reckon stage hypnotist, mind-reader and magician Hugh Lennon is barking mad.

After all this is the man who once claimed to have boosted a young model's bust measurement by several bra sizes just by auto-suggestion.

These days he's best known for working as a double act with a portly pooch called Murphy the Hypnodog.

But sceptics soon paws for thought when they see these trusty showbiz partners in action. For Murphy has clearly learned some highly effective tricks of the trade from his master and can put people in a trance at the wag of a tail.

His skills - the six-year-old black labrador has been known to put a stage full of astonished volunteers to sleep - have been learned over a doggy lifetime.

His dad Oscar was the original Hypnodog working up and down the country with Hugh for more than a decade. When Oscar's health and eyesight finally failed Murphy took over.

Hugh and Murphy are now a familiar sight at theatres, clubs and festivals all over Britain and currently appear every Thursday night at Bournemouth's new Twisters Comedy Club.

Arriving for last week's show they popped into the Daily Echo to reveal some of the background to their unique double act.

After a long, hot drive from their base in Wales Murphy seemed more interested in a bowl of water and a lie down than the rigours of a photocall.

Revived by a drink (in the time-honoured showbusiness tradition) however, he was ready to demonstrate his skills. I asked my colleague Natalie Bruckner - a veteran of hypnosis, regression and all manner of other psychological experimentations - to act as Hypnodog's subject.

They settled down and Murphy fixed her with an unwavering gaze. Was it my imagination or did he seem to be saying: "Look into my eyes, not around my eyes, into my eyes. You are feeling a sense of well-being, an overwhelming urge to by me a packet of doggy-chocs"?

Whatever the truth, something remarkable happened. As they continued to stare unblinkingly at each other, Murphy gradually grew drowsy and slid to the floor.

"Yes, that sometimes happens," explained an ever-so-slightly flustered Hugh.

A few hours later on the Twisters stage Murphy was clearly rested and at the peak of his powers. Another Echo colleague, advertising entertainments manager Toni James, was a volunteer.

Although she can remember virtually nothing about her subsequent "performance" she has since discovered that she spent two hours being gently persuaded by Hugh to think she was a steam engine, a goldfish and to dance like Madonna. Finally Murphy stared deep into her eyes and put her into an instant sleep.

"I just can't believe it. I'm the biggest sceptic in the world and frankly a bit of a control freak. I didn't really believe anyone could hypnotise me yet I came out of that show having lost two hours of my life."

Toni, who says she felt totally comfortable and relaxed throughout the performance, now has free tickets to next week's show.

Hugh Lennon and Hypnodog play Twisters Comedy Club in Albert Road, Bournemouth, on Thursday nights. Telephone 01202 789400.

First published: August 15