The master of mind control
Derren Brown returns to Leeds Grand Theatre with his brand-new live show, Only Human. Although the content of the show is tightly under wraps, he shares his memories and highlights from past tours, and teases a little of what to expect this time.
Written by Guest Author
Derren Brown
How did you first become a psychological illusionist?
I saw the hypnotist Martin Taylor perform in my Freshers Week as a Law student in Bristol. No exaggeration to say it changed my life; I walked back to my room determined to do it for a living. That spread into a love of close-up magic, and eventually the two merged into whatever it is I do now. Then, after the first TV show kicked off in 2000, I focused entirely on the form of ‘mentalism’ that I had worked out for myself. For a while I was still earning my keep performing magic in Bristol restaurants, and occasionally people would tell me I looked like that guy off the television.
Derren Brown with an audience member in Only Human. Credit Pamela Raith.
Derren Brown in Only Human. Credit Pamela Raith.
What is touring like?
It’s very hard work at the start as you have to go out on stage with a show that isn’t quite ready and make loads of changes over the first weeks. It’s the same with putting on any play, but when it’s a one-man show with so many plates I have to spin at the same time, it’s tough to change it every night. Eventually it gets there, and then on a good night the experience is like flying. Equally as good is the daytime experience. It’s the only time when I get to have my days to myself to write or mooch around. Having that mental space during the day and then going out to show off in the evening is a very special rhythm which I’d really miss if I were to stop. Plus I get to be with a great little bunch of friends – it’s wonderful.
Any performer will have good nights and bad nights, and to avoid it feeling like a repetition, you find ways to keep things feeling completely fresh in your own head and body up there on stage. Aside from the odd unavoidable night when I’m under the weather or things are going terribly, it’s a wonderful relationship to have with a room of people. To mix juggling analogies, you’re trying to keep a ball up in the air, while spinning plates and putting on a play with a cast of volunteers who don’t know the words. Who wouldn’t want to do that every night?
Favourite memories
What are some of your favourite memories from past shows?
Oh wow. Finishing Showman with a big picture of my Dad, who had just passed away, on the night that the Queen died. The curtain dropped, we had a minute’s silence, and I stood there alone with him.
Certain tricks – I love the Spirit Cabinet from Evening of Wonders – and making the audience lose 10 seconds of their lives at the end of Showman. It’s hard to have the distance to pick out specifics as performing is such an ‘in the moment’ experience.
Unavoidably, the real stand-out memories are when things go horribly wrong or there are emergencies to deal with. I’ve had people freak out and try to storm the stage, and all sorts of strange situations.
Are you working on any other projects?
I’m starting a new book which is my favourite thing to do when touring.
What do you like to do in your free time or between tours?
I paint and write. And the odd project comes my way, but I like to keep things very simple.
Derren Brown in Only Human. Credit Pamela Raith.
Returning to Leeds
Are you looking forward to coming back to Leeds?
The Grand is one of those great touring highlight theatres where the crowd is guaranteed to be amazing, and the theatre itself – in terms of layout and acoustics – makes for a really good show. And what a city – I love it.
Memories include buying a hyper-realistic baby from a doll shop in an arcade and trying it out on stage during Svengali. And a guy saying I could write or draw anything on his leg and he’d have it tattooed. “ANYTHING”, he was at enormous pains to insist. My apologies to the Loiner walking around this summer with ‘I love c*ck’ tattooed on his calf.
What can audiences expect from the show?
As usual, it’s all a big secret. I appreciate audiences and reviewers keeping the contents of the show under wraps. I love the idea that people come knowing as little as possible. The show, though, was born out of the question of how we human beings think about what we want to be in life. And it takes some wild routes to answer that.
Derren Brown with an audience member in Only Human. Credit Pamela Raith.
Derren Brown with an audience member in Only Human. Credit Pamela Raith.
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