Derren Brown: Miracle at the Palace Theatre

Award-winning magician, illusionist and mentalist Derren Brown grips the attentions and curiosities of an unsuspecting audience once more in Miracle, his latest one-man show, directed by Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor and currently staged at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End. This is Brown’s second stint at the theatre and this time he’s back with his boldest and most contentious show yet.

Without giving away too much, this is a clever and deeply psychological performance, which explores humanity and the thoughts, actions and symptoms so common to all of us. Through the use of trickery, suggestion and mind game techniques that are so integral to his style, Brown’s two-hour interactive audience-fuelled experience is full of social commentary that renders the show evermore intelligent and fascinating.

Despite a slow start to the evening, with some predictable tricks and illusions that viewers are likely to have seen before, the show quickly picks up the pace during the second act with rapid dealings with the audience and increased participation from the whole of the theatre. This results in a fun and unusual experience, which challenges the mind, rapidly shocks and simultaneously delights.

Brown is a real character to watch: charismatic, confident and incredibly funny. His delivery of dialogue and his sense of comic timing is masterful, with enough wit to leave the audience thoroughly entertained throughout the evening. Added to this is his obvious intellect and devotion to understanding his subjects, which creates an effect of admiration as punters are easily persuaded into unquestioned belief.

With estimated audience figures reaching 1.5 million to date and with several awards under his belt, it is clear that Brown has identified and narrowed in on the nuances of the human mind, creating an experience that viewers across the globe can relate to, while giving them an opportunity to enjoy an evening outside of the norm.

Rasha Barazi

Miracle is on at the Palace Theatre from 11^th November 2015 until 16^th January 2016, for further information or to book visit here.