It has always been my dream to see to see the great Victorian British Institution of the magic of live theatre especially those days of mind reading, illusion and dark forces at work. I was always intrigued by close up magic and even studied the craft for some years. So when given the chance to see Derren Brown perform his one man show last night in Nottingham it was a no brain-er.
Derren more famous to us for his mind boggling TV shows where he has created the most elaborate mind control situations, death defying stunts and all manor of trickery, but to my mind carried out in somewhat controlled environments, so this was now my chance to catch him out live.
The stage was set at Nottingham’s Grand old Theatre Royal, a magnificent setting which brings the audience deep into the throat of the lone man now sat in the dimness of a stage with gas light effect lamps. His warmth is felt by the audience as Derren briefly outlines that the show is somewhat a play on the best bits from other theatre shows and other warnings of infidelities and our deepest secrets may be revealed.
The evening begins with Derren putting us at ease with his effortless humour and getting the audience involved immediately with a mass trick he performs to the delight of everyone. I will not go into the details as in respect to Derren he asks us most vigorously the magic must be kept within these walls. The trick itself does go wrong at a certain point but this just adds to the belief that this is just a man, or as I think a deliberate ploy of leading us on a track to our minds further being controlled.
You may think the evening starts as you take your theatre seat, but there are other forces at work as a small army of DB’s worker ants are snapping photos and taking secret messages inside and outside the theatre, the ends of which are slowly revealed throughout the evening.
One of the greatest joys for the audience is to be selected as a volunteer and step on to the stage and become part of the show. This is done with Derren’s trade mark of throwing frisbys into the audience eagerly trying to grab a chance to be part of the show. Equally some of their bubbles are burst as Derren rejects them as unsuitable candidates and they return to their seats rejected but still elated to have caught one of those famous flying frisbys.
Volunteers are a huge part of the show and to witness this live from my seat is a different world away of watching the show on TV. The energy just from the audience can be quite eerie as you all seem to think and act as one and on one occasion move as one, but again what happens in the theatre stays in the theatre.
Like any good show there is a climax and Derren does not disappoint. You do have to concentrate somewhat to keep up with the fast flowing information being thrown at you and remember certain things that have happened previously as nothing in this show is said or done for no reason. Every action seems to have a consequence. It’s a bit like The Larry David Show, for the uninitiated “Curb you Enthusiasm” (have you seen it Derren?) a comedy show that takes off slowly, then draws you in to a climax of past events, no matter how insignificant culminates in a hilarious ending. Or in Derren’s case an unbelievable ending.
Summery
A truly mind blowing experience, is Derren Brown a magician, clairvoyant, Illusionist, mind reader or is he really from another planet? I will let you make your own mind up (but will he?)
You can see Derren Brown’s Underdog in Nottingham this week or more dates at http://derrenbrown.co.uk/ shows/underground
Review by Reg Enderby, Editor, The Nottingham Gig Guide
