UTTERLY gobsmacked!

I believe I had to pick my jaw off the ground after two incredible hours at the Mayflower last night!

I not only left the theatre astounded and amazed but laughing most of the way home too.

Derren Brown has arrived in Southampton for the week with his latest mind-blowing, West End hit show 'Miracle.'

With such a bold and boastful title the master showman was clearly building himself up for the sceptics to watch him fall but what we witnessed excelled all expectations.

I cannot tell you why as I wouldn't want to spoil it for other audiences and Derren Brown actually asks journalists not to reveal what takes place, making it tricky to review. Suffice to say I am almost lost for words about the extraordinary things he did. Is it magic, were they miracles or was it mind games? It is all there, whatever you choose to call it.

There are two distinct halves to the show.The first had roots in traditional magic but he even included the use of social media to bring it bang up to date. Glass, sharp objects and a sense of danger were involved but I can say no more.

With his patter, charm and likeability - and a disarmingly honest approach, he reeled us in. There was a real sense of playfulness as he threw a balloon, Frisbee and sweets into the crowd as he randomly selected participants. But it all proved a wonderful warm-up for the spectacular second half which builds to a crescendo. Part two is largely an exploration of evangelical faith healing, and having expressed his disgust at healers who make millions out of vulnerable victims he went on to perform his own 'miracles'.

I wasn't expecting what followed but a large chunk of the audience claimed to have been cured of various ailments from poor eye sight to rheumatism.

There were so many eager volunteers throughout the show it was clear he was not using plants of stooges - as he insisted on telling us.

Finally a mind reading game culminated in a final revelation that left me actually shrieking in disbelief as it involved something personal to me ... I cannot say what, but I walked away utterly blown away and awe struck by just how clever this was.

This was an enthralling evening of entertainment that has to be seen to be believed.

'Miracle' is at The Mayflower until Saturday and is unmissable.