Derren Brown - Svengali

‘Svengali’ is the latest release from Derren Brown, one of the UK’s most popular illusionists. Filmed before a live audience at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, Brown’s acclaimed fifth tour won a Laurence Olivier Award in 2012.

The general premise of the performance revolves around a mechanical replica of a deceased child which supposedly has supernatural powers, including the ability to possess human beings. Brown’s presentation of the ‘Svengali’ doll is undeniably eerie and there is a dark tone to the nature of some of the acts, including one trick not for the squeamish that involves a syringe.

However, to say that ‘Svengali’ is a dark foray into the occult would be far from accurate. For example, the skit involving a missing shoe highlights Brown’s comic theatricality at its best. There are moments where the viewer even feels like he or she is witnessing a sort of classic vaudeville magic show. Be you a believer or a sceptic, it is hard to deny the charisma of this showman as he thrives in the spellbound befuddlement of his participants.

Ultimately, Brown manipulates his audience in a similar way to how he manipulates the ‘Svengali’ automaton. The puppeteer’s powers of persuasion keep the viewer mystified throughout and will likely result in arguments at home as to how Brown seemingly manages to make the impossible possible.

Derren Brown’s polished and professional live act in ‘Svengali’ explains why he remains one of the UK’s most popular performers of the paranormal.