Derren Brown: Archive
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From: xmindcontrolx
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2002 2:28pm
Subject: Review Show 2
Derren Brown: Mind Control II
Channel 4
Programme Consultants Richard McDougall & Andy Nyman
Executive Producer & Devised by Andrew O'Connor
Producer
Anthony Owen
Director Jeremy Wooding
Reviewed by
MagicWeek
Quotes from participants in the
show:
"I was really believing it when it was
happening"
"I haven't got a clue"
"As a librarian I wish I
had his ability - I would certainly ask for a
raise"
"I don't think it's quite human you know"
"I felt
as if without realising it I was reading his
feelings"
Last year Derren Brown made a huge impact on
the magic scene in the UK with his ground breaking
Derren Brown: Mind Control television special for
channel 4. Eight months on MC2 goes out, and does it
again. Sequels are never easy, your audience has pre
conceived ideas and expectations, and you've already 'been
there'... but the opposite is also true, you don't have to
prove yourself, the format is established, and you can
develop themes that were only touched on
before.
This time around we saw more of Derren's own
personality; his performance was perhaps more relaxed yet had
greater authority, and that 'Derren charm' was evident
throughout. Once again the opening minutes of the programme
were used wisely, to clearly establish both the format
of the show, Derren, and what he is all about.
Causing travellers on the underground to momentarily
forget their destinations was very strong, had
spontaneity, and conveyed the right mood for the show that
followed... it sparked the imagination... "did he just do
that?" It intrigued. Show me more...
Next, using
an artists sketch pad, Derren's predictions were
filmed 'live' as he was making them. Viewers saw him
commit words to paper for them to be confirmed just
moments later by a volunteer, using the pad merely as a
means to get his thoughts down. Again powerful stuff..
real mind reading (that also had a twist at the end).
In all there were perhaps 15 different sequences in
the programme, without a dud amongst them.
These shows are a breath of fresh air after years of
magic stagnation TV wise in the UK. Derren and his team
have clearly put their thinking caps on and pressed
down the poppers, and in the process are pushing the
medium in new directions. The routines are crafted, they
take the audience somewhere, they make them think. The
closing sequence with an advertising agency was excellent
and really showed what Mind Control is all about (and
where it is heading) - the fact that some magicians
went for the explanation at the end tells you
something as well!
