Derren Brown's 'Only Human': Magic or Prophecy?

Derren Brown's latest production, 'Only Human,' currently playing at the Apollo theatre in London, delves into profound questions about free will and the nature of prophecy, taking inspiration from the 16th-century seer Nostradamus. Brown employs divination techniques and orchestrated near-death experiences for audience members, mirroring Nostradamus's methods.

The show skillfully blends mentalism and mesmerism, hallmarks of Brown's previous work. While the initial offerings include impressive yet lower-stakes predictions, a water-dowsing stunt in the first act experiences a minor setback. However, the second act significantly elevates the performance, featuring a particularly extraordinary and unsettling sequence.

This act is amplified by immersive theatrics, including video and sound design, leading into a series of gasp-inducing stunts. A highlight involves mind-reading using photos submitted by the audience, culminating in a reveal where prophecies from the show's first half appear to have been impossibly fulfilled, challenging perceptions of destiny and choice.