One thing I've learnt after may years of reviewing shows is that, on occasion, you need to keep certain aspects secret. Nobody needs spoilers about whodunnit in The Mousetrap, nor do they need to find out what happens in the last scenes of Blood Brothers. However when that embargo covers almost an entire show, it becomes increasingly more difficult!

Described as a 'mentalist and illusionist', Derren Brown is the person behind a number of incredibly successful TV and stage shows which make you consider the way you interpret things you've seen and process information you thought was apparent. In short, he has this incredible ability to be a master showman who gives you scope to question everything you comprehend as 'normal'.

This was the narrative he ran with at this evenings performance which was both exquisitely staged and beautifully constructed. Take away the content - Showman is a feast for all the senses, regardless.

Split into two acts, the performance see's Brown interact with members of the audience, some of whom are brought on stage, in a number of different scenarios. From what is seemingly simple misdirection, to elements of human conditioning to body language interpretation, there were portions of the show that are still rolling round in my head.

So often at events like this, you can applaud the showmanship but actually, after a bit of searching on Google, there's some simple explanations to how things were 'done'. As human's, quite often we have an inherent need to do just that - we get a kick out of being able to explain (at least to ourselves) how something happens.

I'm not ashamed to say that I sat in the audience expecting to do just that. Have a good time, see through the smoke and mirrors and go home happy in the knowledge that I got one over on Derren. But that's almost an impossibility because I, like so many others, left the theatre questioning our own understanding of what we'd tried to justify to ourselves.

The only thing I can possibly say, whilst respecting the request to give away 'nothing', is to say that in one foul swoop, Brown blew every justification we'd satisfied our enquiring minds with, out of the water and showed the audience that he's a master of his craft.

This show is a world-class performance of a spellbinding show. With breathtaking simplicity and a whole host of shocked faces when you look around you, this is quite possibly one of the best things Brown has ever done.

Derren Brown - Showman plays at The Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 10th September. For more information, or to get tickets, head online to atgtickets.com/birmingham.