I scratched my head a few times as I wondered how I would write a review of Derren Brown's spectacular first night of 'Showman' at The Lowry, all the while ensuring that details about the show and all of its utterly mind boggling elements remained a mystery for future theatre-goers.
Making my way into the theatre on Tuesday night, there was instantly an air of excitement, but also some trepidation, unparalleled to that you'd expect at a concert or a musical. I gather this was partly because the 1,500-strong crowd of fans were unsuspecting, bracing themselves for what rollercoaster would await them inside.
We all know Derren Brown from our TV screens. For leaving viewers sat at home utterly mind blown over the last two decades with his seemingly impossible mind-trickery and illusions. Well, let me tell you, this show did just that ... live and in real time.
READ MORE Review: Sister Act is a sparkling spectacle at the Palace Theatre
With every new section of the show, which spanned an impressive two-hours and twenty minutes, came more open mouths, more gasps and certainly more questions. How did he do it? How did he know that? Did you just see that happen or am I going completely nuts?
Of course that is the whole foundation to the work of a mentalist and illusionist, but there is still something about it that each time, just seems so magical and mesmerising. Brown did a sterling job of keeping the audience on their toes - quite literally - throughout what was his first tour in six years, inviting many up on stage and even leaving them shellshocked by how he somehow made them behave.
His charisma and charm was humorous, often providing a nice little pocket of light relief among tightly gripped seats and sweaty palms. His inner joker regularly makes appearances from beneath his otherwise calm and focused exterior, giving the performance some real variety.
I would love nothing more than to delve into each of his routines, but aside from not wanting to spoil it for others, it really must be seen to be believed. If there's one take away from this show, which I am confident won't spill too much, it is the simple point of remembering what is important to us in our lives and cherishing it.
This theme, which dwells on much of Brown's personal life, was a constant throughout and makes for a truly touching story, which he tells through his various wizardry means. It was also poignant in the way it made the audience question what they hold near to their heart in their own lives.
It is clear to see why his live shows have won him two prestigious Olivier Awards over the years – for his 2006 Something Wicked This Way Comes and then the Svengali tour in 2012. To his name, he has received more Olivier nominations and wins than any other one-man show in the history of theatre, and ' Showman' could well be his next.
Ahead of the show, Brown gave a sneak peek into his performance, as he told the Manchester Evening News: " This is much more of a personal show than previous ones, I think people will find it more poignant and moving. If you've only ever seen me on TV, then it's also a lot more fun than that."
More fun it certainly was! The performance, which saw the curtain rise at 8pm, was the first in an impressive 12-show run at The Lowry theatre, ahead of a further three months of back to back shows on London's West End.
The show tied together nicely at the finale with what was probably the most jaw-dropping routine of the lot. Whether you're a believer of all things magic and mystical, or more of a sceptic, there is no denying that Derren Brown truly is a 'Showman' like no other.
Read more stories about what's on in Manchester here.
READ NEXT:
