The Stage

Derren Brown - Mind Reader: An Evening of Wonders

Published Friday 9 May 2008 at 17:20 by Dominic Martin

To come away from a show, amazed by what you have witnessed and unable to explain how it was done, is truly a rare thing. Seeing Derren Brown’s extraordinary showmanship and outstanding ability to hold a live audience utterly spellbound for more than two hours, marks the man as one of the greatest entertainers of his age.

Brown’s intensity, charisma and wit combine to win his public over almost effortlessly - his easy manner is disarming, but it is all clearly meticulously rehearsed. Tricks are performed near flawlessly, the very occasional small mistake cropping up, inadvertently, perhaps, bringing an unpredictable edge to proceedings.

The first half of the show rolls along nicely, Brown sucking the crowd in, putting them at ease, making them laugh, wowing them and recounting anecdotes about his mentalist heroes of yesteryear - plus there’s some good old fashioned card tricks and a spot of table-spinning.

But it’s part two that really captivates, as Brown, dressed in tails, attempts to recreate the thirties theatrical sensation of the Oracle Act. The accuracy to which he reveals details about audience members and their lives is uncanny and the way he builds the pace and tension of the piece is skilfully achieved.

Much of the intrigue lies in Brown’s repeated insistence that he does not believe in any form of psychic ability, to then go on and perform extraordinary, unexplainable feats of mind-reading that leave you wide-eyed with childish wonder. An exceptional show.