If ever there’s a show that will leave you wondering what you just saw, then Derren Brown’s Only Human is it. Brown’s fame as an expert in psychological manipulation and misdirection is well-deserved. He ends his performance by entreating the audience not to spill any secrets, so to learn anything about the content you will have to go and see it for yourself, but be assured that it will not disappoint. Illusion? Trickery? Genius? A mixture of all three? Whatever it is, Only Human is a show that will not easily be forgotten.

Even before the curtain rises, Derren invites us to step inside his world of confusion. The preface to the show serves only to raise questions and sets the scene for the sense of bewilderment that is to come. From the moment he steps on stage, he is the master of his kingdom; commanding and in complete control. Personable and genial, he exudes an aura of confidence which is both compelling and beguiling.

He has the audience in the palm of his hand, and they quickly become willing participants in this particular, peculiar, fascinating brand of entertainment. As the show begins, there’s no need for a fancy set or extravagant gimmicks; the simplicity of the backdrop lets the mystery of Derren’s work speak for itself.

As the story twists and turns and the drama is ramped up, ‘How does he do that?’ must surely be the only thought in everybody’s head. It’s human nature to try to explain what we don’t understand. Our rational brain tells us there must be an explanation for what we are seeing on the stage, but maybe it’s better just to go with the flow and delight in the showmanship and the spectacle. Derren is very definitely at the top of his game here, and there’s fun to be had watching a master at work. Stop trying to find an explanation, sit back and enjoy the ride!

In the publicity for the show, Derren says that if he can cheer just one of us up for even a second, he will be ‘very happy indeed’. If this is the case, then he must be a most contented chap - cheer us up he certainly does. Only Human might leave you astonished, delighted or more than a bit perplexed, but whatever your reaction, you cannot fail to be entranced.

Five stars

Rachel Smith reviewed Derren Brown: Only Human on Tuesday 2 June at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Saturday 13 June