The opening of Act Two is one of the most gripping and disorientating sequences I’ve seen on a stage this year, and I found myself constantly thinking, “How did he do that?”.

From a performance perspective, Brown is an incredibly gifted showman, and this is evident throughout. He delivers every line with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, making you hang on his every word. Not only does he possess expert comic timing, but he also has a strangely comforting presence. At times, I was reminded of Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka, with that same curious blend of warmth, mischief and an underlying sense that you’re never quite sure what might happen next.

Whenever a show features moments of audience interaction, it can often feel as though you’re a hanger-on at a party you haven’t been invited to. In the case of Only Human, however, the audience is just as important as Brown himself. The sequences of audience participation last night were substantial and mesmerising, with some moments proving unexpectedly moving.

Going into this production, I’ll be honest and admit that I’m something of a sceptic when it comes to the arts practiced by performers like Mr. Brown. While I can’t say I’m fully converted, let’s just say that Only Human kept me on the edge of my seat, consistently engaged and occasionally bamboozled by some of its revelations.