Complete Kant
Cathal Morrow has spent a year not telling a lie (his ‘Kantian Oath’), and his book, The Complete Kant, will be out soon. It will undoubtedly get a lot of attention, in that ‘Yes-Man’ kind of way. It looks fascinating, and can be explored and dipped into here.
On the subject of books, a favourite author of mine, Alain de Botton, has just launched his latest work, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. Embarrassingly, I’ve had it in my possession now for a couple of weeks, and still haven’t read it, which is a first for me when it comes to his work. It is supposed to be his finest yet. If you do not know him, his work is eclectic and whimsical, but bound by a deep and philosophical interest in everyday living. Elsewhere on this blog I have mentioned his School of Life, for which I will at some point, when I get a sodding moment, give a ‘sermon’.
Rehearsals continue, along with the biennial paranoia that the new show won’t be as good as the last one. However, it’s not all stress and panic. Andy took this picture during rehearsals a couple of days ago:
This is how hard we’re working to give you value for money. And at least you can see that we’re treating ourselves to a glamorous rehearsal space.
Right, must get on with it. No rest for the wicked.
x
Only thing I know about Emmanuel Kant is that he was a real pissant. Re your shows: well you set yourself a very high standard. You never cease to amaze, I stopped trying to work out how you do it a long time ago.
I’ve already booked tickets for your Enigma show! We love you here in Latvia (Well… it seems that it is the only me who knows something about you!) 🙂
Looks goood….don´t work too hard though!
as someone once said:
´´We are such stuff
As dreams are made of; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.´´
Fascinating to see where the real work takes shape, innit?
🙂
I knew it. It is that church hall that I went to youth club in. Just think, I may have sat on that very chair!
Don’t worry too much Derren. You have just under 8 weeks to perfect the show before I see it 😉
Ooh a Derren sermon at the School of Life sounds lovely jubbly!
That pic boasts a certain lovely jubbliness too.
Anyhoo.
Stress, be gone! 😀
Good day to you Mr Brown, and all who dwell upon planet Derren. xx
You are looking a tad skinny these days Derren!
Wish I could see the new show 🙁 But Derren, you are looking geereat!
At first I thought … hey, a dutch headline! But that did not make sense, not in dutch either.
Yes-man kind a way. Never heard of those books I’m afraid … never felt like “Yes-man”, after having read a book. More like … nah …
Books about work: I work on a daily bases … to earn money .. so def. wont read books about it as I know all about the pleasures and sorrows of work … It’s supposed to be very unhealthy … working .. as it goes against all your normal natural drives in your inside.
But hey .. you know all about this …
I notice you do not balance your chair on it’s hind legs … as you may know this tells a lot about a person …. I will not spoil the fun of you letting that sort out by yourself …
We’re on summer time .. and the weather just started to change to good .. now that the weekend is almost over …
Brilliant, I’m not saying I was in doubt about how good the show was going to be (Seeing it April 23rd) but I cant help but feel more at ease
lol to Katherine…
Yup, i reckon i did some kind of Girl Guides activities in that room, but then all church halls look the same to me… Least the uniform was alright!
You can’t be sleeping now! You got work to do! Tsk!
Good to hear from you. Nice looking trance.
For ectoplasm, get a tissue out of that red box and hold it in your mouth.
Regards
Tom
Heh don’t worry about living up to standards or anything – it’s one of the misunderstood things about art. If you enjoy what you are doing, you can rest assured that so will we. Take it easy and you’ll be fine ^_^
I mean, you are a one-of-a-kind at the moment for goodness sake! If we expected you to be absolutely PERFECT all the time, that’d be very amateur of us, wouldn’t it?
Good luck with your next shows. Me and my Mum will enjoy EoW 2, and I am sure many other people will too.
This new show isnt called EoW or EoW 2. Its called Enigma.
Where are your manners? No feet on the table. Love the jumper, by the way. Very green!
At first I thought “aw, that’s adorable, he’s sleeping!” Then I remembered Derren Brown never sleeps. He’s just sitting there, waiting for some potential victim to wander by.
He’s meditating, quick call the Spiritualist Police before he starts chanting.
JH: was referring to the tour that lasts till 7th June and ends in Glasgow – Last I checked it was still called EoW.
Or have I been mistaken? Lemme check again…
Hm. I can’t see it. Can someone clear this up for me please? I am unsure :/
Looks like these past few months has finally taken it’s toll on Derren… And judging by the picture, it looks like his lost a fair bit of weight too..
Well, like he said.. no rest for the wicked..
It’ll all pay off in the end.. he’s got a huge fanbase, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming performances.
Good luck Derren and keep up the good work. 🙂
xx
It IS called enigma James- the WHOLE tour is called enigma 🙂
The whole tour is called Enigma. The tour that starts next month is a completey new show and is called Derren Brown: Enigma and not just the West End shows.
Ah right, my bad. Thanks guys. I think the website wasn’t updated when I looked at the dates and got confused.
Is anybody else going? :O
No probs jameshogg 🙂
Derren’s not asleep in the picture.
He is trying to stop the spirits from levitating the table.
I’ll be there in the 2nd row on the first night in the west end, looking forward to it!
Derren: even the wicked need to rest occasionally! don’t overdo it
Not telling a lie for a whole year? Wow. I can imagine a scenario of accidently passing wind in a crowded elevator, and instead of pretending it wasn’t me I would have to confess”YES! It’s me!”
Oh, long gone are the days of sleeping in till 12……
Diana: Posting at 4:09 am
Dare say you will be sleeping in till 12
Aaaaah – bless you. You look very sweet asleep. Talking of books when are you going to write your next one? I’m reading tricks of the mind as slow as possible to make it last. Yes, i know about the portriats – but we want to know more from you – you make us lol when reading. it’s great on the bus ppl stare. Love ya. See you in May. xxxxx
p.s you look very sexy in those jeans. 😉
somebody photoshop that chair off and re post this photo – har
Ehehehe .. a year without lies … anyone who can without noticing something weird after that in private life and work does not live normally …. it’s not always about your truth so to speak .. sometimes you will need to follow someone else’s truth … always speaking the truth can lead to a very blunt way of living .. hurting everyone around you … Not everyone is in favor of the truth .. that’s all. Families could be destroyed by this so called holy truth at times …
is it worth it .. you need to ask yourself before intending to tell the truth all the time …. sometimes you do not need to lie whereas you still don’t tell the truth either .. a bit vague so to speak …
Those in favor of the truth will not like it when all of a sudden start to see into this … as the truth is not always the same everywhere …
So, a no go this book as far as I’m concerned .. that’s not a lie .. from my perspective …
I do dislike lying but sometimes there is no other way …
People don’t like you, when you tell them the truth …. and it will leave you all alone in the end .. society doesn’t live by the truth … it’s another truth they live by so to speak … truth of reason .. truth of emotion … etc etc …
I am off to a School of Life sermon in a couple of weeks… Robert Winston on Curiosity… can’t wait. If Derren ever does a sermon I will be there with bells on!
I see the credit crunch has hit bad. The heater from the last photo has gone and the tables have been striped of a cloth.
The space seems to have a “Wormwood Scrubs” chic to it…
Cheers
Rob
Lord Winston works in the same building as me..
Cheers
Rob
I am sure the show will be brilliant as always Derren! Really looking forward to it in Nottingham 😀
Ciara x
Tom….
I’m living in a different country…(time zone difference). If you think I’m logging onto this blog at 4.09am you got another thing coming. I wouldn’t be up at 4.09am even if the queen was going to visit me.
It looks like he’s missing a leg!
Nicosia: At least the ear missing on the Enigma poster has grown back.
When I read about ‘Complete Kant’ my first thought was “is he lying about his not lying†and isn’t it more to do with how much people are prepared to believe.
Human beings can easily convince themselves they’re telling the truth even if they know deep down they’re lying. Facing our own reality is a personal choice and some people just can’t deal with the truth 100% of the time. Maybe that’s the reason lying is such a huge character defect amongst human beings.
Always telling the truth and accepting people places and things as they ‘are’ and not as ‘I want’ them to be, is a lifetime’s work (imho). When and if I ever get that balance right ,I will write a book myself……but don’t hold your breath.
Sadly, I still haven’t managed to visit The School of Life yet. We’re coming up to the city on Good Friday but alas, I guess it won’t be open. The web site is really cool though. If you ever decide to give a sermon Derren, I will be there like a shot….If I can’t get leave…I’ll LIE and throw a sickie…
‘Enigma’ is only days away for us now. In all these years you have never disappointed us in any way and I’m sure this years show will be just as amazing and exciting as always.
Katherine – after seeing the Van Gogh picture I was a bit concerned about the missing ear! thank heavens for this one!
It will be fantastic as always! see you in May
Erm… the chair?
Told you to many beans have side effects….
I told you guys. I told you he wasn’t sleeping, didn’t I? I knew it.
hang on – the chairs disapeared! hmmm.
can someone place a tulband around derrens head and andy sitting on the floor on a piece of carpet playing a flute?…
LOL
Who photoshopped the picture?
*nobody raises their hand*
…anybody?
*nobody*
WTF Derren!?!?
LOL!!!!!!!!!
Aha, you are more the type who works the chair not with 2 hind legs but like this … interesting …. interesting … what if I disturb your superb concentration? …. Eh?
Why you silly nut, you’ve doctored the photo! Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone!
Your levitation above the bed is far more impressive!
Excellent! Only caught this by accident.