Derren Brown still manages to blow minds and his showmanship is getting better with age - review
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The title of the show may be ‘Only Human’ - but every time I see Brown live I have to ask myself whether that statement applies to the man himself
I will start this review by laying something out. I won’t be going into detail about the tricks or acts in the show in any detail.
This is not to ruin the experience for others who may not have seen it yet. I’d hate for it to have been ruined for me, so will do my best to not ruin it for anyone else.
‘So why write a review at all?’ I hear you shout. Well, because a Derren Brown show isn’t just about the tricks. In fact, the tricks may not even be my favourite bit.
Brown always been famed for the way he does his mind tricks. He is a magician, after all. But the stories he tells and the stage he sets are often just as important to the audience’s experience as the actual ‘wow’ moments.
You see, I’ve been a Derren Brown fan for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been drawn to the unusual and the bizarre, and the vaudevillian nature of his usually gothic imagery piqued my interest as a youngster.
And while his subtle art of suggestion and subliminal messaging has always been the main draw of his shows, I found myself marvelling at his showmanship and storytelling more than ever during this production.
The suspense builds, the lighting changes, the crowd reacts and the energy rises. The show wouldn’t work if it was just one stunt after another.
But what surprised me during this showing was just how good that storytelling had become. I shouldn't have been surprised knowing that he weaves the web of the trick expertly every time, but seeing it in person happen in front of you is a whole different kettle of fish to watching on TV.
And the way the whole show comes full circle for the showstopping finale is as much of an accomplishment as anything you will find on a streaming service today - a true scripting triumph.
The title of the show may be ‘Only Human’ - but every time I see Brown live I have to ask myself whether that statement applies to the man himself, or if he somehow has superhuman skills us mere mortals aren’t privy to.
Derren Brown - Only Human
July 14-18