Unbelievable - Criterion Theatre

If you had read it then you wouldn’t have said I hadn’t seen the cast in action - as it was patently clear I had … Facts matter :-)



With regards to not covering the final scene of the show - it’s a ridiculous ask of an audience and the very reason why it is prefaced by a spoiler alert.

Many people won’t get to see the show - but are interested in its contents. Those who wish a full run down have the opportunity to read one. Those who don’t - can simply skip it. All about choice.

Promo material for the show has now been re-done ... Derren's name and image have all been scrubbed - no longer "Derren Brown presents" ... face/hands all removed ...

Bit late now to attempt to distance oneself from the sinking ship.

I saw Unbelievable last Sunday.

I have had a life-long fascination with magic, from the conjuring-tricks box set as a kid, through the David Nixon magic show at teatime on ITV, to countless live acts over the years. Like Penn and Teller, I love to be fooled. It is so rare now to see a performance and not be able to work out, with a little logical thinking, what was the likely method behind the effect. I am definitely in the camp of wanting to know the method, even though that destroys the "magic". For me, the showmanship and the skill of how an effect is delivered are the main sources of pleasure. Even when you understand completely what is going on, you can still stare in wonderment at incredible sleights of hand and clever misdirection.

I am also an admirer of how Derren Brown, the creator and scriptwriter -- you can hear his voice in the lines -- has managed to carve out a niche position in the world of magic. On stage, his schtick is his awkwardness and slightly socially uncomfortable demeanour that comes across rather endearingly, and gets the audience on side. One problem with Unbelievable is that his words, in the mouths of actors with polished verbal delivery but less accomplished legerdemain, do not translate well. The other problem is that the effects are rather underwhelming.

theatre2023 has usefully cataloged the tricks content and I am appreciative of that, although it really should be behind spoiler tags. I am not so critical of the whole experience as that poster, but it is true that the show does not live up to its name.

Actors are frequently required to pull off an illusion during many shows, so it's not a great stretch to experiment with whether they can manage a full show, although I can see why that would alienate those in the magic business. The approach does have the advantage that song and dance can be more effectively worked into a routine, and Simon Lipkin, always top-notch in musical theatre, shows his talent in the Think-a-Drink section. Unfortunately, such skills are underused in favour of an amateurish, Derren-impersonation act for the most part.

I probably need to replay the exact words used to verify, but I also felt the unwritten magician's code was broken: you can mislead -- in fact, you should mislead; that's your job -- but you should never actually lie about the method. For example, if a trick uses a stooge, you should never declare that you haven't used a stooge. That would tip you over from being a magician to being a conman. There's no magic in that. In Musical Telepathy, I am fairly sure it was stated that the participants had never revealed their musical choices to anyone. That is clearly nonsense.

On the subject of music, the style chosen as a frequent backdrop -- percussive, discordant jazz devoid of any melodic phrases -- was unappealing to my ears. I am not sure what mood they were trying to evoke, but it was not one familiar to me. A different choice here could have improved the show massively.

There is little spectacle, which, for the prices charged, one might have expected. But, within the illusions, there is plenty to enjoy for those unfamiliar with them, and who are happy to sit back without thinking too much.

Three stars.

Pre-show music: 18:28-18:33
Act 1: 18:33-19:35
Act 2: 19:58-20:57

Last year's show was one of the most boring things I've ever seen. I couldn't believe how bad it was. His box of tricks might be finished and people realise now he is a all hot air and no substance.