Reviews

This was Brown's fourth live appearance in Ipswich, coming hot on the heels of his Channel 4 Trick Or Treat series. However the content on this live show was nowhere near as unsettling as the TV programme and was his most family-friendly live production to date.

As with past shows, the evening was split in two parts with the first featuring a range of short tricks all involving audience participation. The highlight was an audience member's phone call to an unsuspecting friend to participate in a number-predicting trick.

The second half largely consisted of Brown's attempt to re-enact the Oracle magic trick made famous in London theatres during the 1920s. During the interval audience members were encouraged to supply a question in a sealed envelope, providing only their initials and the row they were sitting in on the outside.

From merely analysing these minor details on the envelope, Brown was able to provide lucky participants with answers to their questions, as well as appearing to 'mind-read' other details about them.

Brown received a standing ovation

All of this was done whilst blindfolded, thus removing any opportunity to interpret facial expressions. Not even the most cynical observer was able to question the integrity of this section of the show.

Still blindfolded, Derren was able to accurately describe possessions that those attending had brought with them, as well as how they obtained them and how long they had owned them.

The impressive grand finale consisted of a scroll which had hung in a sealed box since the beginning of the show, which correctly listed some of the outcomes that had taken place during the evening. This is what you and I may refer to as psychic ability, though Brown doesn't believe in it.

All in all a fantastic show, an excellent mix of illusions along with some magical history lessons along the way.

Brown's popularity in the town shows no sign of dwindling and I look forward to his next appearance at The Regent. Highly recommended.