All week I have been mentally planning for this: My Review of Derren Brown's Latest Tour: Svengali. It is very exciting stuff indeed.
For anyone who isn't familiar with the name, Derren describes himself as a 'psychological illusionist'; his shows involve startling feats of apparent 'mindbending' and illusions which combine magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. And if you still don't know who I mean: don't worry. I'll be making it perfectly clear during this blog.
Derren's work fascinates me; it's an intelligent form of entertainment where the audience are invited to speculate and ponder and make genuine 'how does he do that?!' comments. Rather unlike most of the trite on television nowadays (Yes I mean you, 'The Only Way Is Essex') Also, as a psychology student and aspiring psychiatrist (or at least doctor) anything to do with cognition, perception and mental behaviour interests me.
Finally, I would love to fully review and discuss the Svengali live show but Derren makes a specific point about not revealing it to anyone else - which makes sense. Even from reading his book 'Tricks of the Mind' which explains some of the techniques used to perform certain illusions ruined it a teeney bit, I was too busy trying to figure everything out to just enjoy it for what it was. Anyway, so as I can't tell you what actually happens I'm going to draw comparisons with some of Derren's other work - and if you are trying to decipher the show's content from this then good luck, I think I'm just as practiced at misdirection as the man himself.
Svengali Review: Oxford New Theatre, 20th April 2011
I haven't even got to the part where the curtain goes up and the show begins but already I can't tell you about two fairly important parts of the show, pre-curtain, if you like.
So when the show does begin, the curtain goes up and the very first trick/piece begins. A classic piece of psychology and suggestion, intermingled with Derren's very unique sense of comedy. For something similar, take a look at this clip from 'An Evening of Wonders'; to get a sense of the whole trick (in our show it isn't split like it is here) watch the first six minutes of this and then watch this one. Alternatively, if you're feeling lazy just watch the second bit.
The next section of the show involves Derren's spookily accurate talent of 'reading' people - using tiny clues in the way a person behaves to deduce information about them. From trawling through YouTube it seems it's the type of trick he's most often asked to perform on chat shows (it's quick and easy to understand) but the following has to be my absolute favourite reaction to any 'mind-reading' trick ever.
There's lots of these videos on the internet but this is another personal favourite, just because it demonstrates 'reading' in a slightly different way but first gives a good example of suggestion - where a person believes they have chosen a name/word/letter freely but in fact were influenced by outside signals.
I'm sure I could find a clip that represents almost every trick in Svengali (seeing as they're all based on the same five key skills: magic, suggestion, misdirection, psychology and showmanship) if I really tried. But anyone who cares to look at the Derren Brown section of Channel 4 On Demand will realise the vast amount of video available, spanning a 10 year career. Therefore I've picked the clips that I remember best to illustrate each point.
The following is years old but definately echoes an extremely impressive 'audience-wide' trick performed near to the interval of Svengali. Although I would obviously recommend watching the whole thing, the part I'm referring to is from 14:20 onwards. Enjoy.
The only other thing I can refer you to in the first half is the infamous Russian Roulette stunt which draws some visual comparison, if nothing else.
So now we're at the interval. There's a small fire burning on stage, but don't worry about that; fetch yourself an extortionately priced pot of ice-cream and round of drinks, queue for the toilets and get back to your seats for the second half. If you're confused; that's the point. I don't want to tell anyone what happens, just stoke your curiosity with some relevant, if misleading references.
Right, the lights are down and the curtain comes up. Honestly, the bulk of the next half is difficult to explain; if you've seen any of Derren's other live shows (and I suggest you watch on 4OD) then you'll know the second half tends to involve a more theatrical piece, with historical references. Without giving the game away (clue: you're likely to have Googled Svengali at this point, and it might seem relevant.... or maybe not) there's nothing specific I can say. Instead, have a look at Derren's other second-half openers; Table-Tipping at 36.00 in Evening of Wonders, psychic abilities from 46.00 in Enigma (possibly very relevant?) and impressive memory skills from 28.00 in The Gathering. Also, just before this section there is a good example of large-scale hypnosis. Combined with a common stage-hypnotist-in-Magaluf style trick it was very succesfull on certain audience members. As a side-note, the ending of The Gathering is worth a watch. This doesn't happen in Svengali, you'll be pleased to know; waste of bloody money.
Another clip I was instantly reminded of was of Robbie Williams in an episode of Derren's 'Trick of the Mind' series. You can watch it here. It's my favourite, just because there's something so heauntingly beautiful about it all. If pain and perception does interest you, there's a longer sequence in this Mind Control episode, as well as one of my favourite suggestion tricks with advertising directors.
The ending of the show was so spectacularly unique I really have nothing to compare it to. It was clever and witty, with Derren's characteristic style of letting everything not seem quite as it really is.
Essentially, the show was incredible; I would fully recommend it to anyone. The combination of excitement, anticipation and wonderment makes for tense and absorbing viewing. I personally am hooked on Derren's material - there's a huge backcatalogue available for viewing online as well as two books for those who like to delve a little deeper into the why's and wherefore's.
I really hope you've enjoyed reading this and have watched at least a few of the clips presented here (I know there's an awful lot!). And if you still have an insatiable thirst for all things Derren I'd recommend watching The Heist. It's my favourite. (Especially because it references Milgram)
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