Derren Brown gears up for Bristol on his smash-hit ‘Showman’ tour

As a former student at the University of Bristol, Derren Brown’s personal history with the city is well known.

In the intervening three decades, he has carved out an international reputation as a masterful mentalist, illusionist, and performer, as well as an author, podcaster and painter (whose work is included in the Grayson’s Art Club exhibition currently showing at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery).

He will be bringing his hugely popular Showman tour – his biggest in 20 years – to the Hippodrome from May 24-28.

Derren Brown in Showman 2021/2022 – photo: Mark Douet

While the precise content of the show is kept under wraps, Brown explains that its core is perhaps more emotional and personal than any of his work to date.

As you embark on the 2022 leg of the Showman tour, looking back, what would you say was the inspiration behind the show?

“Funnily enough, the show was written pre-lockdown, about how the things in life that feel most isolating actually tend to be the very things that we share. And then this literal play-out of that idea happens, globally.

“So that has remained at its heart – it has a gentle thread about how we share our human difficulties, and the value of remembering what’s important.”

The tour is the largest you’ve ever undertaken. What do you see as your main personal challenges?

“Yes, I’ll be touring March to November, which is very long for me, but I’m hugely looking forward to it. It’s such an enjoyable process, and I’m with the best bunch of people, and I get to have my days free, which is quite a luxury.

“My main personal challenge is to have things to occupy me during the day. It’s a great time to be writing, so I tend to concentrate on that.”

Derren Brown in Showman – photo: Mark Douet

The show has garnered rave reviews. Does this put extra pressure on you or does it act as a confidence booster?

“I think it’s had the best response of any show I’ve done. It’s lovely to know, and a happy thing to read people’s responses right after a show on Twitter, but ultimately, in order to do it night after night, I can only really be concerned about the relationship between me and the particular audience in front of me.

“I think about that; I think about whether I’m enjoying it and bringing to it what I must; I think about how I will spend my days; I think about how my little team are and whether they’re happy and doing a good job.

Derren Brown in Showman 2021/2022 – photo: Mark Douet

“And it’s always hard for any performer in a relationship, leaving your partner at home to deal with all the day-to-day stuff while you’re off ‘having fun with your friends’. Navigating that takes up mental space too. Those are really all my concerns.

“As far as reviews go, if they all had the same grumble, I’m sure we’d look at changing what was obviously a problem. But as long as they’re all very happy, they don’t really take up any space in my head. Which is the best way.”

Would you say Showman is your most personal theatrical show to date?

“Definitely. It’s a real treat to do for exactly that reason. And to have people respond to it so well night after night make it even more so.”

Derren Brown: Showman is at Bristol Hippodrome from May 24-28 at 7.30pm, with an additional 2.30pm matinee show on Saturday. Tickets are available from www.atgtickets.com.

Main photo: Clout Communications

Read more: Derren Brown to play four shows in Bristol in 2022

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