Derren Brown - Showman - Review

[CraigMitchell]

Derren Brown Showman

Showman is the much-anticipated live show tour by British performer, Derren Brown, now touring the UK until 2022. Like the rest of the world - the tour had been rescheduled multiple times due to the pandemic. And as we were to discover, Covid was going to have a profound effect not just on the scheduling but the contents of the show, too.

Full disclaimer - if you intend seeing the show in future, hoping for it to be televised or prefer to keep everything a surprise - do not read any further. This is a comprehensive deep dive into the show - contents and all.

[NOTE: AT THE REQUEST OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE SHOW, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOW, INCLUDING SPOILERS, HAVE BEEN REMOVED. Derren himself requests the audience not to discuss its content with those who have not seen it yet. RK]

Derren Brown's latest show is a somewhat complex beast to come to terms with. It's clearly personal - and would have been changed substantially compared to its pre-Covid origins. Theatrically - it is exceptionally tight. The scripting is on point. Every word carefully chosen ... every piece of information given for a reason. Andy Nyman's influence is ever present. The projection is seamless, the set & lighting mysterious. There is much to like. Derren is sharing tender moments that are very much of the time and he is no doubt a consummate performer. But the problem is the magic. The show lacked that sense of wonder and utter amazement I was after. You go in wanting to leave your jaw on the floor which sadly isn't the case. Impossibility is a requirement at this level of the game and Showman didn't quite reach those needed heights.

[Jack Shalom]

Great review, Craig. Many thanks. I found the same issue as you've described when he did the Q&A portion of his last show that was seen in NYC.

[Tom Moore]

You flew half way around the world to go to see a show in Hull?

THAT’S going above and beyond!