Having enjoyed Mentalist, Derren Brown’s TV shows for years I was, I must admit, quite excited to have the opportunity to finally see him live on stage. It is therefore a pleasure to report that his new show, MIRACLE, at the Palace Theatre for the next ten weeks, is chock full of the kind of jaw dropping tricks audiences have come to expect from Brown. Over and over throughout this slickly written and directed show you just keep thinking, “I know it’s a trick, but HOW DOES HE DO IT?”The challenge for the reviewer is that Brown has kindly asked all audience members and reviewers not to reveal specific details about the show. This is only fair as much of the evening’s delights rely upon an element of surprise. I am happy to honor this request and will only reveal that the show has two distinct parts. The first half has Brown undertaking a wide range of thrilling mind reading set pieces. However, the second half has a more coherent theme based on Brown’s 2011 documentary titled Miracles for Sale. Here Brown uses his magic to explore faith healing and the results are just as astonishing as those in the first half. Brown is clearly very passionate about this subject and it provides the evening with a bit more substance than your run of the mill magic show.
Miracle is chock full of the kind of jaw dropping tricks audiences have come to expect from Brown
Elegantly written and directed by Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor the show not only highlights Brown’s magic skills but also his humor, charm and acting ability. The set design by Simon Higglett is suitably spooky and the use of live video feeds throughout the performance adds an exciting intimacy to the evening.
There are numerous opportunities for audience involvement should you want to get involved, and thankfully, Brown is always kind and courteous to audience members so if you are chosen you need not fear humiliation. So even if you think you are not a fan of mentalists and magic shows this might just be the show that changes your mind.
After decades in the doldrums, associated unfashionably with tacky variety shows from the 1970s, stage magic is very much back in the public eye with a whole generation of sexy young magicians turning acts like Dynamo, with his slight-of-hand street/wise act, into big celebrities.