Review by Sam
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The multi-award-winning mentalist returns to the London stage with his latest live stage show, focusing his attention to the French astrologer and predictor of futures, Nostradamus.
Known for psychological illusions, sharp wit and mentalist trickery, Brown is back doing what he does best... leaving audiences jaws firmly on the floor and talking long after the curtain falls. In what is his most originally unique stage show for quite some time, Brown utilises the entire auditorium and audience itself as members of his production, and by doing so displays a vast array of skills across his broadest and most fascinating stage show to date. Brown's masterful stage presence and showmanship is on full display from the opening beats, holding the audience like putty in the palm of his hand and never allowing them a moment to catch their breath, as they are instantly swept away by one of the greatest showmen working today.
For fans of Brown’s signature storytelling which are rooted at the core of his stage shows, Only Human feels that it somewhat lacks this element in the same way of some its predecessors. The emotional gravitas of his previous show (Showman) is certainly missed, however the thread which neatly ties the production together remains and works well in its absence. Regardless of this, Brown pulls together a mind-bending evening which leaves no thread unravelled and ensure that even the biggest of nay sayers leave as believers.
Whilst the overall effect of the production is strong in tying all trickery together seamlessly, Act 1 feels marginally weaker by comparison to its counterpart. Whilst some moments are still of standout brilliance, the real theatrical highlights take place from the point of Act 2's opening until the curtain call. In what could well be one of Browns most harrowing and captivating live stage performances, Act 2 alone makes Only Human a dazzling display of just why Derren Brown is one of the best entertainers the business and must be seen to be believed.