Derren Brown is a world-renowned magician and mentalist who has captivated audiences with his incredible abilities and mind-bending tricks. His unique style of performance combines elements of magic, psychology, and misdirection to create an unforgettable experience. One of the key aspects of Derren Brown's performances is his ability to seemingly read minds and predict the future. He is able to accurately guess specific details about individuals, such as their names, dates of birth, and even their deepest secrets. This leaves many in awe and wondering how he is able to accomplish such feats. But Derren Brown is quick to remind his audience that what they witness is not actual magic, but rather a combination of psychological techniques and showmanship.
The book concludes with a thirty-two-page essay titled Can Magic Be Art-New Thoughts. He emphasizes the point that there is a fine line between wishing to produce child-like astonishment and treating people like infants. He feels it is a shame that more magicians do not live their magic and theorizes that one cannot approach magic artistically if we do not possess such a sensibility. Perhaps he is right.
He feels it is a shame that more magicians do not live their magic and theorizes that one cannot approach magic artistically if we do not possess such a sensibility. As card magic is my first love, I was thrilled to recently add a first edition deluxe copy of MINT Volume 1 , signed and numbered by Ed Marlo to my collection.
But Derren Brown is quick to remind his audience that what they witness is not actual magic, but rather a combination of psychological techniques and showmanship. He often explains that he uses psychological manipulation and suggestion to create the illusion of mind-reading and prediction. This is a testament to his skills as a master of deception and an understanding of the human mind.
The Genii Forum
The cat is out of the bag. The February issue of Genii features Darren Brown in a monumental piece by Jamy Ian Swiss. Forum member Sam Kesler contributed a BoM essay on Browns Absolute Magic some time ago, but I held onto it just for this opportunity (I know, I know, I said something else was coming, but that will have to wait). Since I cannot do any better, here is Sams bio, just as he sent it to me, so you may get to know him a bit better:
Ive been interested in magic since I was twelve-years-old. One of the joys of arriving in Los Angeles from the Midwest in 1967 was visiting Joe Bergs second-floor magic shop on Hollywood Boulevard. While my primary hobby became writing novels and screenplays (still unpublished and un-produced), my interest and love of magic has never wavered. In 2000, at the age of 54, I returned to magic as a serious collector and hobbyist thanks to Taylor, my 10-year-old great niece. I joined the IBM and the Hollywood Caryl Fleming Ring #21 in November and plan to apply soon to become a member of the Magic Castle. As card magic is my first love, I was thrilled to recently add a first edition deluxe copy of MINT Volume 1, signed and numbered by Ed Marlo to my collection.
And now, Sam Kesler takes a look at February 2005 Genii cover subject Derren Browns Absolute Magic.
Absolute Magic by Derren Brown (H&R Magic Books, 2003) is the second book by Britains foremost mentalist (he prefers psychological magician) and current boy wonder on the scene today. His television specials have drawn huge audiences and his mass appeal relies on his uncanny ability to predict and control human behavior.
While Absolute Magic may not break any new ground, it does make you think. As Jamy Ian Swiss has pointed out in many of his brilliant Genii book reviews (I think of each of them as essays bordering on masterpieces), if it compels us to think more deeply about our art - thinking is a practice of which magic could use a good deal more. More from Mr. Swiss in a moment.
Absolute Magic is not a collection of routines, but a treatise on Mr. Browns perspective on performance. He focuses on that part of performance that exists when the material is removed. That is, when the magician transcends the trickery and achieves the greater effect and the artists vision is realized. Pretty heady stuff.
While he discusses the topics of cold readings (theatrical and ethical) and pick-pocketing (in technical detail), creating real magic is the primary subject of Browns book; designing routines with a sense of dramatic structure and the creation of a character with the same dramatic sensibility behind it. Real magic occurs when character and performance are fused with magical effect. Unless the principle a magician employs has a meaningful effect on the audience, they have no value. Magic must extend beyond the experience of trickery and deception. And how does one create a true sense of wonder that transcends mere trickery? Browns answer is simple: get the audience to like you. Make the spectators feel comfortable in your company.
Brown doesnt mince words; he speaks bluntly and may irritate some sensitive readers. He ridicules the commercial exploitation of todays magic and yearns for the Victorian age when we manifested a pride in our age and a faith in the worth of our constructs. He decries the fact that there is a lot of dreadful, meaningless, patronizing magic throughout the world. He argues that most contemporary Western close-up magic lacks the experience of magic, rich, resonant magic. Magic that can lead her (spectator) into a never-never land where she can glimpse a level of enchantment that touches and changes her a little. In other words, a grand effect. Brown feels that there are many entertainers but few real magicians. A lot to ask for? Perhaps. Every magician must decide for him/herself.
Reviewed in the March 2002 issue of Genii (quoted with permission) Jamy Ian Swiss writes, If the authors previous book, Pure Effect (reviewed in Genii, March 2000) was a challenge to the status quo of close-up magic, then Absolute Magic is an outright call to arms. Mr. Brown has some ideas about what magic should feel like, but that is only the beginning. In his preface he explains, The aim of this book is to set out, quite apologetically, a model for performing magic in such a way that it feels real to the spectator even though he may intellectually rationalize it later. But the author is after even bigger game: he wants not only to alter the way we do our art and work, but he wants to transform the way we think and feel about it.
Mr. Brown is passionate about drama, the point where entertainment and real magic meet. The role of drama in magic is to strengthen the feel and impact of real and resonant magic. The definition that applies to what Brown is talking about can be found in the Compact Oxford English Dictionary. Resonant: suggesting images, memories, or emotions, evocative, suggestive, expressive, full-bodied, vibrant. Well, you get the idea.
Theatre and magic are inseparable. Brown maintains that showmanship is a cheap substitute for drama. Magic is bad drama and immensely flawed as theatre. As you can see he takes his magic seriously. He argues for magic that has relevance and resonates with the spectators. He further states that dramatic resonance unifies many disparate ideas and brings much into focus. Drama must support the magic, not vice-versa. Brown heartily agrees with Darwin Ortiz and quotes from Strong Magic that the point of a dramatic presentation is to enhance the magic - not there to validate a dramatic premise.
Brown pushes the envelope a bit by declaring that stories are told when entertaining for children (to capture their interest), but there is no need to continue with such obviousness into adult magic. He feels such routines as alienating. Agree or disagree, it does get you thinking about your art.
The book concludes with a thirty-two-page essay titled Can Magic Be Art-New Thoughts. He emphasizes the point that there is a fine line between wishing to produce child-like astonishment and treating people like infants. He feels it is a shame that more magicians do not live their magic and theorizes that one cannot approach magic artistically if we do not possess such a sensibility. Perhaps he is right.
Mr. Brown delights in the fact that after reading his book there will be more magicians in the world who feel a real excitement about his/her work, especially if you are prepared to invest real effort and thought into it. For me, at least, he got his wish. How about you?
Aside from his mind-reading abilities, Derren Brown is also known for his incredible hypnotism skills. He is able to put people into a deep trance-like state and make them perform extraordinary tasks or believe in false realities. This further adds to the mystique and allure of his performances, as he showcases the power of suggestion and the extent to which the human mind can be influenced. What sets Derren Brown apart from other magicians and mentalists is his ability to not only entertain but also educate his audience. He often explains the psychological principles behind his tricks and demonstrates how easily we can be deceived. This adds an extra layer of depth to his performances, leaving the audience questioning their own perceptions and understanding of reality. In conclusion, Derren Brown is a master of illusion and showmanship. His performances leave audiences spellbound and questioning their own beliefs. While he may not possess actual magical powers, his ability to use psychological techniques and suggestion is nothing short of extraordinary. Derren Brown continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, leaving a lasting impact on all those who witness his unique brand of performance..
Reviews for "The Intricate Methodology Behind Derren Brown's Absolute Magic"
1. John - 2/5 rating - I was really disappointed with "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown. It felt like a rehash of his previous work, with nothing new or innovative. The tricks were predictable and lacked the wow factor that I have come to expect from Brown. I found myself disengaged and uninterested throughout the performance. Overall, I was not impressed with this show and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3/5 rating - "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown was okay, but it didn't meet my expectations. While some of the tricks were impressive, I found the overall performance to be lackluster. The pacing was off, and there were moments where I felt bored and disconnected. Additionally, I felt that Brown relied too heavily on psychological manipulation rather than showcasing true magic. It had its moments, but overall, I wasn't thrilled with the show.
3. Michael - 2/5 rating - I had high hopes for "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The tricks were overly complex and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully appreciate the magic. The show lacked coherence and felt disjointed at times. Brown also seemed distant and disconnected from the audience, making it hard to engage with his performance. Overall, I found the show confusing and not as magical as I had hoped it would be.
4. Emily - 2/5 rating - "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown left me feeling underwhelmed. The tricks and illusions were predictable, and I could often see the method behind them. I was expecting to be amazed, but instead, I found myself disappointed. The show lacked the wow factor that makes magic performances truly memorable. While there were a couple of enjoyable moments, overall, I found "Absolute Magic" to be lackluster and unimpressive.
5. James - 2/5 rating - I have seen Derren Brown's previous shows, and unfortunately, "Absolute Magic" did not live up to the standard he had set. The tricks and illusions felt repetitive and unoriginal. It was as if Brown was recycling his old material without adding anything new or exciting. The show lacked the element of surprise that makes magic performances captivating. Overall, I found "Absolute Magic" to be a letdown and not worth the hype.