Anyone with a general knowledge should, by now, have heard of Derren Brown. The slight, be-goateed Brown is a regular fixture on Channel 4 with his unique brand of spooky magic and 'mind control'. Despite looking like the school nerd (which by all accounts he was) Brown's obsession with perfecting his technique makes him one of Britain's most brilliant performers. The show at the Alexandra Theatre this April is a new production for 2005. I saw last year's touring show in the glamorous location of Colne, Lancashire and was blown away by the theatrical drama of the show's highlight - a totally convincing (but fake) 'seance'. Could Brown better that show this year? In a word, no. The 2005 show is much more back-to-basics. No long Matrix-style coat, no booming voice, no spooky lighting effects. Just Derren, a couple of assistants and some flimsy furniture.
 | | Derren Brown |
While the various acts performed were unquestionably entertaining and startling, nearly all were too complicated to explain. The show requires sustained audience participation. I don't know whether the Brummie crowd are more thick than others (I hope not) but many of the participants who got up on stage didn't grasp what they had to do without several explanations. One guy didn't appear to speak English. Most memorable was another chap who forgot an element of a lengthy trick following a video containing subliminal triggers. There was too much for the participants to remember to do - the trick still worked but without the full impact it could have had. Brown still hasn't developed the ability to remember his participants' names: "thank you.... errr... Sue?" I can't work out if this is deliberate - to emphasise that everything isn't planned. Surely a man who can pull off such elaborate stunts can remember up to four names at a time?! Brown warns the audience that the second half is not suitable for under 12s but frankly anyone who's easily freaked out probably won't enjoy it either. Then again, that's not the sort of person who goes to see this show. Without giving too much away, Derren's apparent mastery of making himself 'die' and then being oblivious to pain is almost impossible to watch without the luxury of a sofa to hide behind. As you'd expect from a Derren Brown performance, the finale is inevitably fantastic. And if you're someone who loves finding out just how the clever minx does his tricks, you won't be disappointed. And you'll probably kick yourself for not figuring it out yourself. Written by Suzanne Worthington | 
