Derren Brown Infamous Review
Derren Brown
Infamous
Wales Millennium Centre
28 April to 3 May 2014
Reviewed by Joanna Giles
Derren Brown is a man of many talents and many more wonders. It is rare in the world that we live in that secrets are kept and spoilers are held within the mind of the eyes of who have already seen the show but Brown urges us sitting in a packed theatre on the evening of his debut in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff to keep quiet. Brown is all about surprise, secrecy and wonder and it is little wonder itself that his performances are always managed to be kept so utterly quiet. It is also a wonder to behold it first-hand without prior knowledge of what’s in store. That, in itself, is a wonder. A two and a half hour spectacle where Brown and his director and co-writer Andy Nyman lay on a feast for every sense.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Derren Brown must be running out of material after a decade of shows and TV work with Channel 4 but Infamous proves that there’s a freshness that is not only appreciated but necessary in these shows. With Brown’s raw truth on the stage combined with masterful mannerisms and showmanship that blurs the lines between psychic, magician, actor, showman, comedian and old fashioned trickster combined with the set design and content there stands a man who is very, very good at what he does and has made it from who he is.
The man moves and delivers in such a way that all four thousand eyes in the room are upon him at every moment with the audience in fear of looking away for a second. The theatre falls silent in order to lean in and listen intently. There is such an element of comedy and showmanship to the man himself that it is hard not to focus on him even when he’s having friendly and oftentimes flirtatious banter with the audience. It is Derren that keeps everyone focused but it’s his mind, the writing and the show itself that keeps us not just waiting on baited breath for more of the show but hanging on even after we’ve departed the theatre.
With personal anecdotes, comedy, performances that’ll have you open mouthed and gasping long after they’re over, trickery and truth it is clear that when Derren Brown wanted to be infamous he is not only on his way but also revered and adored. Derren Brown is Infamous and the show is spectacular.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £27.50 to £45 (plus £1 online / £1.50 telephone booking fee).
For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 029 2063 6464.
Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL | 029 2063 6464
