The Lecture – Derren Brown

Um, need we say more? His books go for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS on ebay because they are so rare. The man is, without doubt, the most dynamic performer of our time. Somehow this DVD is still available, despite his wishes that his published record disappear (to keep his huge fan base from knowing this side of him).

Derren Brown is one of our favorite thinkers. ANYTHING with his name on it is gold. To have the opportunity to hear him talk ABOUT our art, and teach us effects, is nothing short of incredible. This is a no-brainer purchase. Fabulous, top-shelf stuff.

More information: A radical and new thinker in the world of close-up magic and mentalism. Derren performs forty-five minutes of hardcore mind-reading and close-up hypnosis. Volunteers are slammed into trance-states, achieving bizarre mental connections with each other in some mind blowing routines that are now earning Derren a dynamic reputation. The following effects are performed:

LIFT: A spectator’s arm is immobilised. Then controlled remotely, by the will of another volunteer.

PLEROPHORIA: A deck of cards is thoroughly shuffled by a spectator yet Derren, while facing away, names each card in order.

SMOKE: An incredible routine, where a card that has been merely thought of by a spectator, is first named by Derren then disappears from an untouched deck only to impossibly appear…well, wait and see.

COIN READING AND BENDING: The date and denomination of a volunteer’s coin, unseen and untouched by Derren, is identified. Then slowly bent at the will of another volunteer.

REMINISCENCE: A hypnotised spectator merely thinks of a memory, a number and a picture. All are then perfectly described in immense detail by both Derren and audience members. This mind-blowing routine is Derren at his very best.

The performance is followed by an explanation of Plerophoria and a demonstration of mentally forcing an imaginary card, plus some extremely valuable discussions on presentation and Derren’s philosophy of ‘Invisible Compromise’. An immensely useful video for both the budding and established mentalist.