Katherine MacAlister meets the psychological showman who is giving nothing away as he prepares to take the stage with a new show

Derren Brown may be back, but he’s not giving anything away except the title of his new show.

“Miracle refers to the miracle of life. That’s probably about all I can say for now,” he teases.

The multi-award winning master of psychological illusion does at least promise that this is his most ambitious show to date, although its content remains shrouded in mystery.

Derren comments: “It’s always a bit disarming having people tweet pictures of their tickets when I have no idea what’s going to happen after I walk out on stage. I have a sense of the overall sweep of the show and what it will be about, but ultimately I prefer to let the show speak for itself.”

This will be Derren’s seventh show since 2003. He has toured every year since, been watched by an estimated audience of more than 1.5 million people and won two prestigious Olivier Awards in the process.

So come on Derren, there must be something you can tell us? “Not much I’m afraid. The tickets go on sale before I’ve the slightest idea of the content.”

And what about anyone who might be offended by the title Miracle? “If someone’s upset by the word ‘miracle’ then that’s not my problem! I don’t know how provocative the show will be, or if it will even concern religion, I don’t yet know. But yes…maybe a bit...”

It must be hard though to come up with a new show every single year? “It’s always the same pressure, and no pressure. If you try to ‘top’ your previous work all the time, you just go mad and the work suffers. It’s important to keep rooted in the present – what do I feel is worthwhile? What do I want to say? What would be fun and amazing for a few thousand people trapped in a room with me? – while keeping an eye out for what you’ve done before so you’re not repeating yourself untowardly. Other than that the brief is always the same: over-deliver.”

As his shows seem to be getting more personal every year, does this mean we might get a glimpse of the real Derren? “Maybe. I think it will be more philosophical. I can imagine bringing in more of the thinking I find interesting and worthwhile, although like a good stand-up you have to use yourself as a means of deflection otherwise it can become preachy. Say something hopefully worthwhile and at the same time remain vulnerable. That’s a powerful combination, I think.”

A dab hand at touring, the 44-year-old must be used to living out of a suitcase. “The fact I’m in a different city each week always keeps it interesting. I like moving about, and I like being with the pals I tour with. Plus, the performance of the show is a delight every night. No matter what sort of a day I’ve had, it leaves me feeling fantastic. That’s all to do with the adrenalin, and making sure when I write the show that I’m not putting anything in there I won’t actually enjoy doing on the night.

“I then have my days free to read, write and take photos.

“So having my days free to pootle is fantastic.”

Even so, there must be some low points? “Yes, when I get run down. I do everything to keep in good health and rest my voice, but sometimes of course it gets tired. It’s a funny thing – I feel the whole show through my voice. If it’s strong, I feel the show has been strong. If it’s crackly or weak, I feel the show is the same. I’ve had to abandon signings after shows now to make sure it’s always in the best possible shape. That worked last year, it’s made a real difference.”

With developing interestin photography and painting, is all this just a replacement for the TV work? “I took a bit of a break this year, so didn’t do any specials for TV after touring other than the broadcast of Infamous, my last tour. I have a few plans for next year but as ever, can’t really say…”

And what about magic as a medium. Does it have a future? “Of course, but it depends on the clear vision of the performer. Magic is a very childish thing at heart: the quickest, most fraudulent route to impressing people. And it’s based in dishonesty. So you have to work harder to make it have artistic merit or relevance. To do anything genuinely original with it you can’t only be thinking about tricks.”

SEE IT
Derren Brown comes to the New Theatre Oxford from March 23–28 with his new show Miracle.
Call the box office on 0844 871 3020 or see atgtickets.com/oxford