I’d never been to a Derren Brown show before, in fact I never even watched him when he was on TV. I was busy working as a nightclub doorman and bodyguard at that time and between working and spending time in the gym, I wasn’t at home very much. This was also a time in my life when I still hadn’t released that inner conjuror which I’d locked away deep inside during my late teens!
It started with a text
This was the text message conversation I had with my wife early in 2019.
Then I checked the showtimes…
Oh well, at least we’ll enjoy it next year.
Or so I thought!
In 2019 Covid19 was wreaking havoc on the entire planet.
People were talking about it everywhere, some were separated from their loved ones and some lost family members. The whole world was in turmoil and we were all desperately seeking guidance from our governments.
Lockdown!
2020 arrived and we were soon in a national lockdown. I remember restrictions being eased and thinking that the show may still go ahead. Obviously, I was completely wrong!
2021 wasn’t any different, the uncertainty of Covid19 meant that life hadn’t quite returned to normal just yet.
Then it was announced that 2022 would be the year to get everybody back on track, not least of all, Derren Brown’s Showman tour.
3 years later
I’d waited 3 long years for this, so to say I was excited is a massive understatement but then in the weeks leading up to July, I’d had a terrible time.
I’d gotten really ill, then I struggled with depression which resulted in a rubbish birthday for me.
The depression was so bad that I didn’t even want to go to see Showman.
Light at the end of the tunnel
I started to see some light at the end of my mental tunnel by the Friday. I made the decision that I’d just go through the motions and go to the show anyway. My wife and I arrived on the Saturday, we had some lunch and a shandy at the Lowry.
We found our seats and quickly got chatting to others near us, I think they may have been even more excited than me.
Given my mood I didn’t think I’d enjoy the show but in hindsight it was probably just what I needed.
The oath
I can’t give you a run through of the show as we (the whole audience) had to take a blood oath not to reveal any of the show to anybody who hasn’t seen it.
This is definitely for the best as the show really should be experienced rather than read about.
Conundrum
So how can I review the show if I’m sworn to secrecy?
Well, it’s not easy but let’s give it a go…
As I said earlier; I hadn’t seen any of Derren’s other shows live but I have since watched some of them on TV. Even so I had no idea what to expect.
I’d heard a lot of mixed reviews from friends who have been to see Showman. Mostly they were just comparing it to his TV stuff.
Let me just chime in here; I didn’t go to the theatre expecting to push somebody off a tall building, fly a plane or even experience a zombie apocalypse!
This is the theatre darling!
A totally different arena!
You don’t go to a gig and compare it to a music video do you?
Didn’t think so!
But he performs magic tricks
Well not in the traditional sense, but yes he does perform some magic tricks.
I’m still struggling to understand why some might think that’s a bad thing?
I went to the theatre to be entertained and to lift my spirits. Both of my expectations were met.
I didn’t care that some of the performances were magic tricks, Derren Brown is a joy to watch whether he’s hypnotising people, reading minds, performing magic tricks or just telling a tale. Derren draws you in with his pleasant demeanour and for 2 hours, he took us (the audience) on an emotional journey and by the end, just about everyone was questioning reality.
Showman is fantastic
Derren is very eloquent, the man oozes class and I for one really enjoyed listening to a posh person swear.
The show is speckled with healthy doses of humour, real life advice and moments of absolute wonder.
Derren manages to stay a full two steps ahead of the audience the entire time, just when you think you know what’s going on.
BOOM!
He hits you with another surprise.
I never thought I would enjoy the end of a show so much but this ending was emotional and truly lovely, and the whole audience was speechless.
Even chatty Kathy at the back, shut her gob!
I really hope Derren continues to perform on stage and actually I’d really like it if he made a return to the telly.
Bravo Derren
Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
Adieu!
Ryan