DERREN Brown is being talked about as a unique performer in the world of magic, a psychological illusionist who possesses an audacious confidence and a rare intuition which enable him to predict, suggest and control human behaviour. Born in Croydon in 1971, Derren traces his interest in psychological techniques back to his childhood, and admits he was "a very good liar and a revoltingly charming child". "I suppose it all started with my parents, as they always took the attitude that whatever I wanted to do, they would back me," he says. "They never pressured me to take one particular line, so I left the family home in Croydon and went off to Bristol University to study law and German. Then I discovered I didn't really fancy becoming a lawyer - or a German, for that matter. "Around that time, I went to see a hypnotist, and started getting into all of that, and I also developed an interest in close-up magic, psychology and the suggestion it involves," he adds. "I ended up just marrying the two together and came up with a form of magic that used a lot of psychological techniques." Derren will bring his live show to the North Wales Theatre in Llandudno on March 16, after a hectic year of TV work, including the controversial Russian Roulette programme, watched by 3.3million Channel Four viewers last autumn. In the show,Brown purported to literally gamble his own life, relying on his mind-reading abilities by putting a gun to his head and pulling the trigger. "It was exhilarating, and though I looked quite calm about it, my leg was shaking all the way through," he says. "I was trying to get it right, while balancing that with a sense of drama so it would look good on television - it was an incredible experience. "I think the fuss surrounding that show was expected. First of all, there was an outcry at the possibility of seeing a man kill himself on television, which was never going to happen because we had enough of a time delay on that, so the screen would'vejustgoneblank. So how does appearing in front of thousands on tour compare with the millions who tune into his small-screen material? "I love appearing live, and really can't wait to get out there and start," says Derren. "I don't want to give too much away about the show, though the first half is light-hearted and the second is a little more intense." As well as being a famous psychological illusionist, did you know he'd appeared on an album, or that he was a keen, and competent, artist? Derren will follow up the three-month tour with another TV series in the spring, before preparing for another series of live shows next year. So when is he going to take time out and relax? "It's a long way off, and it seems I won't get a break until some time next year. I haven't had a holiday for ages and am due one, so that's definitely the first thing I'll do when this whirlwind of activity dies down," adds Derren. Derren Brown appears from 8pm; tickets £16. Contact the box office on 01492 872000. | 
