Who is Derren Brown and what qualifications does he have as a mentalist? A look at the enigmatic magician for his new Channel 4 illusion-spectacular Showman
Derren Brown latest one-man show, Showman, has its television premiere on Channel 4, after receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences.
Known for stunning fans with his illusions, Derren, 52, earned the ‘best response of his career’ when he brought the show to theaters across the UK last year.
He said: ‘Channel 4 has consistently given me the creative freedom to push boundaries and innovate as far as I can, so it’s a real pleasure to bring what I feel is my best show to date to Channel 4 audiences.
The show focuses on themes of how life’s difficulties bring us together and live mindfully.
Prior to the premiere, MailOnline takes a look at the world-famous illusionist….
Exciting: Derren Brown’s latest one-man show, Showman, premieres on Channel 4 to rave reviews from critics and audiences
Prior to the show, MailOnline takes a look at the world famous illusionist….
Who is Derren Brown?
Derren is a mentalist, illusionist and hypnotist who first rose to prominence in 2002 with his TV debut Derren Brown: Mind Control.
Born in 1971 and an only child until the age of nine, Brown grew up in South London and attended the fee-paying Whitgift School in Croydon.
Since his first show, he has filmed 14 specials for Channel 4, as well as numerous series and worldwide tours.
During his performances, he often reads minds or controls people after putting them into a catatonic state.
Over the past two decades, he has hypnotized people into robbing a security van and “killing” Stephen Fry and made headlines for predicting the results of the National Lottery in 2009.
One of his most controversial shows was 2003’s Russian Roulette, where he and audience members played the dangerous game with a loaded gun live on air.
What qualifications does Derren Brown have as a mentalist?
Showman: Derren is a mentallist, illusionist and hypnotist who first gained fame in 2002 with his TV debut Derren Brown: Mind Control
Shock horror: One of his most controversial shows was 2003’s Russian Roulette, where he and audience members played the dangerous game with a loaded gun live on air
Derren said New scientist in 2015 that he acquired his ‘psychological skills’ after working as a hypnotist.
He claims no supernatural powers and his actions are often designed to expose underhanded methods used by faith healers and mediums.
The star is believed to achieve its illusions through traditional magic/magic techniques, body language reading and cognitive psychology, cold reading.
Derren also told the publication in 2015 that when it comes to hypnosis, he could often identify a suggestive type of person and pick that person as his participant.
Also believing that the presence of a television camera also increases suggestibility.
Derren Brown: Showman airs on Channel 4 on Sunday 23 April at 9pm