A CAPTIVATING Derren Brown was in thought-provoking mood as he cast a spell over his Bournemouth audience on Saturday night.

A packed BIC was given an ominous warning that some strange sensations may be experienced during the evening - and that certainly proved to be true.

Brown was showing off his unnerving ability to plant thoughts in the minds of just about anyone from the beginning, engaging the audience with his self-assured quick wit and expertly engineering a series of head scratching moments.

Endearingly, each success still seems to enthuse and please him just as much now as they ever have.

However, this was all just a warm-up for the main event. The tour is called 'Miracle' for a reason.

Well-known for being a passionate atheist, he criticised some of the American evangelists who claim to be able to heal pains and ailments using the power of God.

Whatever it was Brown said or did next, the details of which he asked to remain between him and his audience, appeared to prove such power does exist - but in the mind, and only the mind.

That skill of delivering sometimes profound philosophical insight and comment into a high tempo show laced with humour and lighter moments is a gift. Brilliantly intelligent, Brown's routine was compelling and again reaffirmed his status as a genre-defining showman.