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Directed by Andrew O'Connor
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| Derren Brown |
Towards the end of his press night performance, Derren Brown asked for the critics in the house to refrain from revealing what’s in the show. A not unreasonable request as no one likes spoilers and equally, a request that could make for this website’s shortest review ever….
To be clear, Derren Brown is a gifted entertainer. He may well have a robust understanding of psychology and the human condition but he is also, unquestionably, a sublimely talented illusionist. That being said Only Human, his solo show at the Apollo, and which at times requires a fair amount of audience movement, does not easily translate into the theatre's awkwardly Edwardian confines. Brown's various routines follow a consistent theme of appearing to predict the future. All well and good, but a bit of variety would not have gone amiss and at close to 3 hours, what would have ideally filled a one-hour TV Special, tends to drag.
The acts are also too low-tech. Punters splashing out more than a £100 for a ticket are entitled to see more than just some Polaroid photos, a few bits of paper and a family-sized packet of Smarties being used as props. While Brown may briefly use an onstage electric gizmo (that looks as though its been lifted from the first series of Dr Who) for one of his stunts, in all honesty there is not enough breathtaking trickery in the evening to win over more hardened cynics. Live projections attempt to enhance the evening’s visuals which in theory should be helpful, especially for those sat in the cheap seats. But for a 2026 West End show where the AV equipment deployed should be cutting edge, the televised images lack clarity and brilliance.
Ultimately this is little more than music-hall entertainment for the 21st century, where much like the real-life P.T.Barnum or L. Frank Baum’s fictional Wizard of Oz, Derren Brown is selling illusion and flim-flam. If one believes Brown's bona fide baloney then the evening will indeed be truly magical. Only Human ? Brown had (some of us) on our knees looking for the answer.
Runs until 30th January 2027
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
