Sunday 26th January 2014 by Jyoti Kumar
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| Derren Brown by Seamus Ryan |
When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, we all hoped for a magical year ahead. Less than two weeks later our wishes have been granted, as the mind-bending maestro Derren Brown is back with gripping magic and psychological illusions in his smash hit stage show, Infamous.
Born in Croydon and having studied at Bristol University, Brown abandoned a career in law and developed his skills as a magician and ‘mentalist’. Today he’s had numerous hit TV shows, including Mind Control, Trick of the Mind and Trick or Treat and other extraordinary specials for Channel 4 with the most recent being The Great Art Robbery.
So what draws you to the stage and why should we not just carry on watching him on screen? Brown admits that theatre-based Infamous is “more enjoyable” as it “opens up a new kind of relationship with an audience that doesn't happen with TV.” He reveals that a televised version of Infamous is likely to happen, but confesses that “a lot always has to be cut to fit these two-hour-plus shows into about an hour of actual TV time, so the TV version never compares to seeing the shows live.”
His last Infamous tour in 2013 received exceptional reviews, with the Daily Mail agreeing “it is on the stage that he really come alive” and Andrew Tomlins, Editor at West End Frame stresses “I am still shaking my head in disbelief at what I witnessed.” However when it comes to criticism, good or bad, Brown says that he doesn’t let it affect his performance: “The only advice I really listen to is my director in the first instance, my producer, and occasionally my manager”. That’s not to say that it isn’t a relief for him when no one’s complaining - “It was clear quickly via Twitter that the show was being well-received, and it’s lovely to have that backed up by the press.”
This flood of positive reviews from renowned publications and critics makes it clear that Infamous is a must-see, but how is this year’s tour different to what we’ve seen from before? Brown says he’s had a “chance to sit back and see if anything can be improved”, revealing that some tweaks have been made - particularly to the second leg. He continues by talking about how much he enjoys performances - “It doesn’t matter what sort of day I’ve had, the show picks me up and leaves me buzzing with adrenalin”.
The only downside he feels comes with touring is that “it’s tricky when you’re in a relationship”, but Brown shares that both him and his partner are “very independent” which “helps a lot, but we’re going to make more of effort next year to see each other on the road.” He adds that he doesn’t get too lonely as “I get my days free to read or write and am able to travel round the country with a bunch of friends.”
Will he be able to travel globally by taking his talents abroad in 2015? Brown is hopeful, but says he’s in “no rush” for a new show. For now, the spotlight is firmly on his Infamous tour 2014 which begins this February. With tickets already disappearing like one of Brown’s vanishing acts, we urge you to book now!