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Derren Brown is being talked about as a unique performer in the world of magic entertainment. A psychological illusionist who possesses an audacious confidence and a rare intuition which enable him to predict, suggest and control human behaviour.
Born in Croydon in 1971, Derren traces his interest in psychological techniques to childhood. “I was a very good liar and a revoltingly charming child”, he says. Like a lot of solitary children he developed an interest in magic but it was only later at Bristol University, where he studied Law and German that he started to take it seriously. “I found myself developing an analytical mind-set, able to spot the loopholes in anyone's argument very quickly”.
After graduating, Derren abandoned a career in Law and concentrated on developing his skills at psychological magic. He was able to pay the bills by combining performing in cafes and bars with a sideline in portraiture.
His big break came in 1999 when he was asked by Channel 4 to put a TV show together. The result, DERREN BROWN: MIND CONTROL, was shown in December 2000, proving an immediate success. The repeat showing rated in Channel 4's top ten. This was followed in August 2001 by another special DERREN BROWN: MIND CONTROL 2, further establishing him as a hit with viewers and critics alike.
“Derren Brown has taken the cheese and sleaze out of showbiz magic and restored a sense on wonder…unbelievable stuff” (Time Out), “Astonishing…utterly convincing” (Observer), “Fascinating”… (Sunday Times),
Derren returned to Channel 4 on New Year’s Day 2002 with DERREN BROWN: MIND CONTROL 3 - a one-hour special that pushed the boundaries of psychological magic to new heights, prompting the Daily Star to say: “This guy’s powers could seriously freak you out” and the Guardian to speculate: “Clearly the greatest dinner party guest in history…or the scariest man in Britain”. Bizarre Magazine said: “A hundred years ago they would have burnt him at the stake”.
Derren returned to our TV screens in Nov 2002 with a Derren Brown night on E4, which premiered his new series. This series went on to become one of Channel 4’s most watched entertainment shows when it was shown on C4 on Friday nights from March 2003. He followed this with a sell-out nationwide tour.
Derren, always one to push forward the boundaries of showmanship and magic entertainment, caused an international furore when he played Russian roulette on National TV. DERREN BROWN PLAYS RUSSIAN ROULETTE LIVE was watched by over 3.3 million people when it went out on Channel 4 on Sun 5 October 2003. Ten million people watched him perform on the National TV Awards the following month. Oct 2003 also saw the release of DERREN BROWN: INSIDE YOUR MIND - his first video/DVD through Channel 4.
From March 15 - May 16 2004, Derren will take his original stage show back on a national tour, (see the tour page for details) and on Friday April 23rd 2004 Derren returns to Channel 4 with his new series, DERREN BROWN: TRICK OF THE MIND.
In his spare time he paints portraits of famous icons and an exhibition of his work is being planned.
bron: http://www.derrenbrown.co.uk/biography.asp