The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
    • Shows & On demand
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Derren Brown: Infamous at the Palace

Derren Brown: Infamous at the Palace | Theatre review
28 June 2013
Elly Perry
Avatar
Elly Perry
28 June 2013

Derren Brown, that illusionist from the telly, has a new live show and its title seems to reflect the man’s own reputation: Infamous.

This name gives nothing away, the show’s programme gives nothing away and Brown makes the audience promise not to reveal the content either. So although there is a buzz around the show, the crowd does not know anything about it until Brown himself appears on the unlit stage.

However, there are a few things everyone will know to expect. There will be lots of audience participation – be prepared to feel uncomfortable and genuinely shocked at Brown’s incredible skills. You can also expect to be surprised and feel tense with suspense.

It is a very intense show, quite exhausting to watch. As a viewer it is hard not to question everything. Brown is having a drink of water – is this a timed event, does it mean something? The barman asks enthusiastic questions during the interval: “What’s your favourite bit, which part blew your mind?” Posing the question “Is he a plant?” in the more suspicious minds. Of course the audience will never know, and it is better that way.

Brown is unexpectedly funny, something that does not come across so much in his many television shows. This show, directed by Andy Nyman, is Brown’s sixth and he is clearly used to this now. Infamous feels very well rehearsed, the production around him moves seamlessly. The stage set is minimalist with a gothic, rustic and sometimes religious sense. It changes subtly throughout the performance, as does the lighting, music and sound effects. 

The muttering in the stalls before the show were very varied, there were some hardened fans who had been to see all his shows, but there were a few sceptics among the crowd. Seeing it live, however, is something indescribable. The audience cannot help but be impressed. Brown is a very clever man and slightly bonkers. 

Infamous is a truly amazing performance, but there is one question that the audience is left with after the show – does Brown have a social life? The answer: probably not!

★★★★★

Elly Perry

Derren Brown: Infamous is on at the Palace Theatre until 17th August 2013. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Derren Brown: Infamous here:

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

Unlimited Festival at the Southbank Centre: Centre stage for diversity

★★★★★
James Humphrey
Read More

RSC Next Generation: Young Bloods proves Shakespeare is timeless

Brooke Snowe
Read More

An interview with Ifrah Ismael: Tales from the Front Line and other stories

Selina Begum
Read More

A Livestream with David Bedella at Crazy Coqs Online

★★★★★
Regan Harle
Read More

Undercover at Morpheus Show Online

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Playing ON: An interview with Jim Pope on life-changing theatre

Georgia Howlett
Read More

Sunset Boulevard at Curve Theatre Online

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

Hip Hop Cinderella

★★★★★
Catherine Sedgwick
Read More

Theatre in 2020: a recap (and an outlook for 2021)

Michael Higgs
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Female filmmakers lead nominees for the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards
    Cinema
  • An interview with Ifrah Ismael: Tales from the Front Line and other stories
    Theatre
  • The Queen’s Gambit: A chess story that’s not about the moves but the motives
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • Sleaford Mods – Spare Ribs
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Jeremiah Fraites: Piano Piano
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Win a copy of Link on Blu-ray
    Competitions
  • Unlimited Festival at the Southbank Centre: Centre stage for diversity
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • RSC Next Generation: Young Bloods proves Shakespeare is timeless
    Theatre
  • The White Tiger
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • The different types of Covid testing explained
    Tech & Sport
  • WandaVision: Marvel’s charming sitcom proves an astounding success
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • The Queen’s Gambit: A chess story that’s not about the moves but the motives
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • Undercover at Morpheus Show Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Ten short literary collections to get you back into reading
    Literature
  • Mayor
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Discovery 2 at AAA | Live review
The Wall | Movie review