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MIND GAMES Derby Telegraph Review

Aaron Calvert, currently a medical student in nearby Nottingham, has, already, in a short stage career developed a wit and confidence that could lay the foundation for an alternative path.

This modern day wizard charms his Derby audience in a spellbinding stage presentation ‘Mind Games’. Part Illusionist, Mentalist and, above all, Hypnotist he stamps his show with an easy going personality and self-deprecating humour.

Calvert beguiles and baffles us throughout the first half with memory games and mind reading. We wonder if genuine perception and psychic powers are at play here, or is he tricking us with the art of illusion. Either way this handsome Mancunian enthrals an audience, spanning the generations, for upwards of two hours. I swear my companion’s jaw dropped so often I was reminded of a stranded guppy.

In a show that requires a steady supply of volunteers it is important to establish that those called upon are not stooges. Mimicking a tactic employed by his hero, fellow Hypnotist and Illusionist Derren Brown, Calvert tosses a stuffed toy into the audience. Whoever catches the toy takes to the stage and he or she throws it again to reveal the next participant.

In the second half of the show Calvert attempts to induce a hypnotic trance like state on the entire audience. Those of least resistance, and therefore deemed most susceptible, are invited on to the stage. There they are, whilst hypnotised, encouraged to perform an array of intriguing and amusing tasks.

Everyone was encouraged at the end of the evening to join Aaron for a chat and an autograph. Judging by the line of young ladies eager to do so, we can safely assume that this talented young man has a big future with the distaff side of the population. We will, of course, never know if they went there voluntarily. Aaron Calvert’s powers of persuasion may have a dark side.