The Stage

Derren Brown - Enigma

Published Friday 19 June 2009 at 12:20 by Dominic Martin

Such are the high standards that Derren Brown has set himself following the success of his previous live shows, that living up to expectations was always going to be a challenge. Without doubt, Enigma is an entertaining and hugely engaging show, yet somehow it struggles to rise to the exceptional heights of his previous West End outings.

Where 2008’s Mind Reader excelled with its seamless blending of set piece tricks, building to an extraordinary second-half crescendo, Enigma feels slightly disjointed by comparison. His mind-reading feats remain impressive, yet somehow lack the drama of the Oracle Act or The Box. While Brown’s recreation of a 19th-century seance, complete with ghostly tinkling bell, in the second half is a highlight, his extended, over-complicated final trick, feels like something of an anticlimax.

Ultimately, however, such criticism is really just nit-picking, because Brown’s unique charisma and showmanship shine through on stage, papering over any small cracks that might be there. From toying with volunteers in their spooky trance-like states to exposing the predictability of people’s attempts to make random choices, Brown instinctively knows how to create a sense of wonderment in his audience.

Enigma is well worth seeing, particularly if you have not seen Brown perform live before - just be sure to duck if one of his victim-selecting frisbees come your way.