Derren Brown’s Mind Bending Spectacle Leaves Belfast Questioning Reality

How do you review a show like Only Human Live- an illusionary experience with a narrative centred around free will? A show that constantly poses the question to the audience: “Do we really have control over anything we decide?” without that lingering feeling that even my decision on how I review this show was already made for me.

It’s difficult to review my experience, not because it was bad, because it was amazing! But also because, of course, we were asked to keep what happened within the gorgeous setting of The Grand Opera House a secret for anyone yet to see it. It’s difficult for another reason too: I don’t quite know what happened myself. I walked away with more questions than answers. What happened? How did he do that?!

What did happen regularly, I can confirm, was that my mouth dropped open in an instant as I gasped in amazement while ‘trick’ after ‘trick’ unfolded. An extremely immersive experience due to how heavily it involves the audience, I was always on the edge of my seat wondering, Will I be the next piece of the puzzle? Even though I wasn’t chosen, I still felt a part of it because we all collectively watched it unfold.

There were frisbees flying, lights flashing (not one for the photosensitive), and, weirdly, not one for asthmatics either… (though they are looked after!) There was not a minute wasted from the moment the attentive staff at GOH scanned my ticket. The show ‘starts’ before the show actually starts (saying no more but it certainly brought the laughs).

The interval had us excitedly crowded in one area of the main lobby like it was the Grand National, and I found myself trying to get ‘clues’ from strangers on my way out the door. Even my future after the show is not wasted. I have somewhat of a serendipitous piece of homework sitting in the back of my subconscious, waiting to happen, which will have me asking myself for the next while: “Did the show ever really end?”

The whole night glittered with humour, tangled with complexity, and used every corner of the theatre to full effect. It had all the pizazz of a Vegas production, whilst Derren had the charm - and strange ability - to feel like everyone’s best friend, whether skeptic or non-skeptic. At one point - and I hope this isn’t revealing too much - we were all silently laughing at someone who believed they had travelled through time. We thought we were the ones who knew what was happening, but really… was Derren the one silently laughing at us?

Only Human Live is not simply a magic show. It is a clever, chaotic, brilliantly crafted experience that lingers long after the final applause. Derren Brown masterfully blurs the line between illusion and reality, leaving the audience questioning not only what they witnessed, but whether they were ever truly in control to begin with.

One thing is certain: Belfast audiences should not miss the chance to experience it for themselves before it disappears from the Grand Opera House stage on Saturday 23rd May. Tickets available at goh.co.uk