Derren Brown: Only Human in the West End – review

Derren Brown has been providing water-cooler moments such as playing Russian Roulette live on television for 26 years. But it is his live shows that are the most impressive, where audiences continue to be baffled and entertained in equal measure. Only Human is Brown’s first live show in over three years, and boy it’s a good one.

After Unbelievable, an underwhelming show in 2023 for which he and his frequent collaborators Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor trained a troupe of actors to perform the tricks, Brown is back to what he does best; putting himself at the heart of the action.

The show explores the concept of free will, the choices we make, and what they mean for our future life. Are our choices free or are they rooted in our habits and history? What do you want to be and what if you had the power to predict your own future?

There will be no spoilers here, as audiences are asked not to reveal any of the show’s contents. However, it’s safe to say that you will leave the theatre with your head buzzing with possible theories and marvelling at the seeming impossibility of the whole production.

Brown uses techniques such as hypnosis, negative reinforcement, the power of suggestion, and shuffle tracking of playing cards, which, as a fun fact, he reveals is one of the hardest things he does in the show. He has previously referred to himself as a “psychological illusionist”, a term he has admitted that he made up, but illusion and hypnotism are key here.

Brown’s style is disarming; affable and charming while carefully dropping a seemingly random trail of breadcrumbs for us to unwittingly follow. Much of his success rests on his powers of persuasion, where he can make you believe his predictions are accurate, when they might not be. His timing is excellent, always knowing when to allow a moment to breathe, raising the heart rate a little, but there’s also enough humour to make the audience relax and really enjoy the show.

The strictures and controls around this sort of production are mind-boggling, but Brown projects a calm and casual air throughout. As usual with his style, the show is as much about the audience as himself. There is a huge amount of audience participation, but all of it is handled very carefully and without resorting to poking fun at anyone.

Andrew Brown returns to co-write and direct the show. He ensures that the whole audience feels involved in the production through elements such as flying frisbees to select volunteers and using large screen projections of close-up action, filmed throughout.

Simon Higlett’s design is clean and minimal, with stagehands quickly whipping props on and off stage. Simon Wainwright’s video design plays a huge role in establishing an incredibly clever show finale that is hiding in plain sight throughout the show. Beth Duke’s sound design is immersive, with loud rumblings and suitably tension-building sounds.

Brown is a master of his craft and Only Human reminds us that he really is one of the greatest showmen of them all.