Review of the Tobacco Factory 2002

Source: nowt2do.co.uk

Derren Brown is truly mind-blowing; it's that simple. Throughout his two and half hour show you were constantly amazed, influenced and shocked. There was no one in the audience who you could not hear at one stage audibly gasp, sigh or say "Oh my God,".....yes...it was that good!

Now you have to bear in mind when going to see this show, that it is of course a try out for a larger tour next year, to much bigger venues. But the intimate surroundings of the Tobacco Factory have managed to make the perfect setting for an evening of astonishing and astounding entertainment. The only problem with the small setting is other audiences coughs, laughs, whispers, and spilling of drinks can get a bit annoying, especially if Derren is trying to get the full concentration of some of his participants.

Derren's show consists of two extraordinary and different acts. The hour and a half first act is a show in itself. Derren does live demonstrations of the kind of tricks that have made him famous as shown on his "Mind Control" TV series. These tricks are a joy to behold and even better if you get involved. Derren chooses different people throughout to take part, so allow yourself to get into the spirit of things, and you will amaze yourself by predicting similar answers those on the stage. He performs memorising tricks, selecting two members from the audience for a telepathy demonstration, guessing which hand the pound coin is in for the whole audience, replicating what someone has drawn, guessing numbers, names, places, people, up to the smallest intimate detail. It is a mind-stretching act. But what makes it so good is that although it is similar to the act that you would see from a so-called "psychic,” he never lies about how he's doing them; he is very upfront about it. He tells you he's influencing your decisions, picking up on your body language, he lets you know what he is doing, so you don't have to worry about working it out, you can just enjoy it. Anyway if you do try and work it out...you still can't see how he does it! It is beyond convincing...it's real!

He has a majestic rapport with the audience, often using humour to relax, then revealing the more sinister edge of his persona to get the desired effect. He seems a genuine performer, making the audience feel at home, and manages, certainly in act two, to make you feel like you are part of the show, and this show is just for you. He is a true master at his performance skills, which allows for a captivating show.

The power of suggestion is used throughout, and you do at times feel cheated, influenced, abused and picked on...but in a good way! It's hard to explain, but you know what he's doing, and you allow yourself to be caught by his tricks...but its enjoyable to do so! Go and see it, you'll work out what I mean.

Act Two however is a completely different experience, its a theatrical as you can get, its very dark, very sinister, but utterly satisfying as you see what he's been working on to get the correct answers. He uses Ouija boards, and looks at the idea of "psychics" and "mediums" but please don't let that put you off. It’s an adventurous, and bold move for Derren, but one, which has fulfilled any wishes you may have. This act really was captivating, it seemed so real and it's beyond words.

Derren manages to draw you into his unique arena, his territory, his mind and his ideas, which after all is what he sets out to do, and not once does he fail to deliver.

For a show so new and unique, there was an incredible lack of errors or mistakes and not once as an audience member would you ever get bored. Act One was a bit lengthy, which was due to a few things not working correctly and him covering by trying different things, which is fine as it shows he's not pretending to be someone who is perfect, he shows that it can go wrong, which makes you believe him even more.

There has never been such an interesting and amazing show in Bristol, possible in the world. It is something to talk about for years to come, something to get your friends along to before he goes into massive theatres with the show. There has never been a better surrounding to see such a show. That however is only the case if you allow yourself to get involved, and not to doubt it. Open your mind, and go along with Derren's crazy ride, and you'll love it.

You will be more amazed than you could imagine; you will enjoy every second. Words fail to describe just how different this is from anything you'll ever see.

What else can I say except, don't allow yourself to miss out on this rare theatrical treat. Go and buy your ticket now!