I can’t quite believe it’s been 16 years since Derren Brown first graced our tv screens and over 10 years since I first saw him in one of his first ever stage shows ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’, in which he shocked everyone by walking on broken glass seemingly unscathed. It’s safe to say i’ve been intrigued by him, and his increasingly ambitious feats of the seemingly impossible, ever since, so I was incredibly excited to get the chance to review his latest show at Brighton’s Theatre Royal, entitled ‘Miracle’.
The set for this latest show is very impressive and transforms the Theatre Royal’s stage into a space I really don’t recognise as the familiar stage I’ve seen multiple performances on in the past. A large scale, darkly wallpapered Victorian style parlour with gilt mirrors and candles and two huge wooden doors. Echoing Derren’s ‘parlour magic’ influences perhaps? Throughout the show, projection is used to great effect, using these walls as a canvas for not only images but also some impressive video effects.
For obvious reasons I can’t disclose too much about the content of the show itself, and I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprises in store anyway, but I can say that the title gives the theme away somewhat. Many ‘miracles’ are performed throughout the show not only by Derren but also by members of the audience, ultimately leading us to question the tactics and so called ‘powers’ of certain ‘miracle makers’ most popular across the pond.
Derren is on top form throughout the show and it’s an incredibly polished and yet real performance. This is one of the most touching of his shows i’ve seen and I’m not afraid to say that I did shed a tear towards the end, when he performed a very heartfelt speech to us all.
You’ve still got a few days to catch Derren in Brighton and i’d urge anyone who has enjoyed his previous work to make the effort to see this show, I promise you’ll leave feeling uplifted if you do.
Derren Brown Miracle is at Brighton’s Theatre Royal until Sat 27 Feb, you can buy tickets here – www.atgtickets.com/shows/derren-brown/theatre-royal-brighton/
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