Mentalist, genius, cat killer, cheat: these are just some of the names Derren Brown has been called over the years.
Derren Brown is an enigmatic performer whose career in the UK has taken the public on a journey through the ethical mires of mentalism. Although he’s now a household name and pretty much synonymous with psychological manipulation, he’s managed to provoke outrage throughout the years with some of the dramatic routines he’s performed.
Born in 1971, his career first took off in 2000 when he starred in Channel 4’s Mind Control. Since then, he has gone on to star in several stage and television shows, bewitching the public with his apparent powers of perception. The British national treasure has won two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and debuted across the pond on Broadway in 2019 with his show Secret.
So, what is it the public finds so captivating about the mentalist and his shows?
Controversial Career
Derren Brown’s performances can be summed up in one word: tension.
The psychological illusionist is a master at facilitating situations designed to create high stakes and intense anticipation in his audience, all paid off at the end when he makes his ingenious deductions, often accompanied by a dramatic twist. But his career has also been marked by a negative tension comprised of numerous complaints that what he’s doing is unsafe or promotes something immoral.
