Wimbledon
Tucked up on a train to Stoke. Wimbledon was a lovely week. The first couple of days suffered (in terms of numbers) from last year’s London run, so the place was not as packed as the other venues. Monday offered a quiet, older audience and, Tuesday a younger, livelier bunch.
Wednesday was our first filming day. It was the best first filming day so far: normally I get a bit disgraced by the cameras and mess things up. As it was, it was a good night. Thursday, our second filming night, was terrific. The crowd was on its feet way before the end and such a joy. Thank you everyone. Friday and Saturday were a delight too: Friday I had family in to see the show, which always makes it a proper treat. The show looked its finest too, as the lighting had been ramped up to its glamorous, previous West End state. Even the nice floor was re-instated. All in all a good week for the show. The TV production team were great, despite a broken generator. When you watch the show (it’s not as good on TV, and we’ll only be able to include about 70 mins of a 150 minute show) please note the plaster on the ring finger of my left hand. I managed to RIP MY NAIL OFF the night before filming. IT STILL HURTS.
In the few afternoons I had free, I worked on a new picture of Rufus Wainwright. This one has taken some wrangling to get right, and now I must leave it alone for a while to continue with the show. But it’s a relief to leave it in a presentable form. It’s at least better than the old one, which I painted before I knew him well.
Those who know the previous work will see a move towards less caricatured images. I’m rather enjoying that. After a break of eighteen months, this is a new direction. I am getting asked how long these take: the best answer is ‘a few days’. I have to do the piecemeal at the moment as I have so little time to dedicate to them. But it’s such a pleasure. I listen to Rufus constantly when painting anyway: I switched back and forth to Richard Strauss, which I think he would like. The new album has hints of Debussy, so he has too been included: some varied sounds have wafted from my studio this last week.
Tonight brings episode 2 of Derren Brown Is Kind Enough To Spend A Few Moments Of His Valuable Time Taking A Jolly Good Look At This And That. I do hope you enjoy. If not, your bum stinks.
I was there on Thursday and the audience, i feel were really rewarding. I saw the show last year and some of the feats you do were still amazing and intreging, without so much as a peep of how you managed to perform them. Others where funny to watch as i knew how the trick was performed and the audience ‘first time’ reactions to them took me back so vividly to when i was first watching the performance. The emotions you bring out in people are really wonderful to behold and to this moment still confusing and somewhat astounding how so many are quick to dispute your ‘techniques’ and simply your mind, especially when they seemingly feel useless themselves and so attempt to better their own feelings by trying to smear yours.
Keep up the great work, your mind is truely amazing!!
I was in the Wednesday show and just want to say a huge thank you for a wonderful night! It was fantastic! I didnt know what to expect but it blew my mind! Will definately be coming to see you live again!
My bum stinks a bit, cos I taped the show. I will watch soon- will I be saved from my stinking bum problem???
Sorry your finger-winger is still hurtie. Hope it is better soon.
Shame about the cuts from the tv edit of Engima. Gutted that I didn’t see it.
ps Something Wicked This Way Comes was also brill. I did see that one. Wow. Did you ever read the book by Ray Bradbury? One of my all-time faves. Love Bradbury, particularly that one and Fahrenheit 451.
More guff-
Read this one, you’ll like it.
Immediately after watching Judy Dunk and you debunk Mr Bronnikov, I watched Family Guy. I can’t see Stewie without thinking of you. Anyway, Stewie was reading The Bible. He said
“hmm, that Jesus fellow, what a man” or something like that.
He then had a little fantasy about walking in on Jesus standing in a wooden bath tub. Jesus looked over but didn’t stop washing. He raised his sponge and erotically squeezed water onto his chest, spreading foam and looking quite aroused (like a Timotei ad). I couldn’t stop thinking of you and your previous life as a zealot. Weird. (not in a synchronicity way, in a ‘DVB pretends to be a cartoon baby and perves over his former idol Jesus’ sort of way).
Hmmmm.
Great impression, BTW.
Aah, Rufus .. Seems quite nice music to accompany things like painting. Weird if you are painting him as well at the same time .. Isn’t that like .. too much Rufus? Rufus in the eye, Rufus in the ear …
Apparently not.
Nice painting for sure. Vaguely .. I see something from Robbie Williams in Rufus’ face. Maybe it is just me. I have a talent for linking people up (everyone reminds me someone else). Interesting chap .. Rufus .. I’m a bit too old, that’s probably it .. why I keep seeing something inside when I watch Rufus .. or is that the effect of Rufus on a few more?
Days .. it only takes you days to make a painting? But then you are on to it all the time .. that must be the case ..
Okay, off I go ..
Hi, came to your Thursday show. Thoroughly enjoyed it. You had us stumped with every trick ***SPOILER REMOVED***. Thanks very much for such a great night out. Will definitely be along to your other shows in the future. Love your work. Thanks again!
Derren enjoyed last night tv, but am a little concerned, I teach mediumship , I see things and so do the people I teach are you saying that we are producing this ourselves, cos if that is the case wonder what the hell I am doing teaching. I have seen spirit, and have had many experiences especially nde’s (twice) would love you to see an honest person who is trying hard to bridge the worlds maybe even if It cannot be proved, please see us ordinary folk who charge nothing for people to experience for themselves and gain a higher expectation of life and understand why we are here -hope this makes sense. I am an honest person and would not for the life of me try and influence people into believing something was not real and charge them for the privilege. Would love you to visit.
It was about approaching the subjects sceptically in the true sense
and being open to evidence that the last night’s the investigate the claims
made by Bronnikov,he is also another fraud taking advantage from blind
and disable people.
It’s amazing the skill the portrait of Rufus Wainwright, Derren is working on
without looking photos but just his memory in Oxford, mascara in stained
down his face, almost as if it were still part of the performance.
He puts the principle of remoto viewing the ability to see and describe the
things. What he does is beyond everyones comprehension.
Look forward to seeing him again soon.
All the best and lots of love xx.
came to your show twice in london!! such an amazing person!! Even got to go on stage!! such an amazing feeling!, travelled 212 miles in total and done that twce..but was worth every minute of it!!! do you know if you will be doing a tour next year!!??
Your new portrait is more realism than caricature, Mr. Brown. I haven’t seen this in your work to date. Turning a new artistic tide perhaps?
Thank you so much for a fantastic show on Saturday night. I loved every second!
I’ve always loved your paintings but the most recent ones are absolutely brilliant and I’m loving the new direction they’re taking.
Can’t believe they only take a few days, no wonder you’re so prolific. Excellent stuff. x
Was at the show at the Kings last night. Genuinely Brilliant. Loved the Scottish accent.
Keep on Keepin’ on.
Came to see you on tuesday the 11th in Wimbledon, truly amazing! definitely going to come to your future shows. keep it coming 🙂 x
My one consoling thought after the show did not come to Norwich in 2010 was “At least I’ll get to see it on TV”. Sigh…
Heya derren!! Saw your enigma show on Saturday 15th may, I was totaaally blown away, you were literally amazing! After seeing all that completely mesmerizing mix of magic and amazingness, me and my mate were like we should so come to another show, coz it’s deffo worth the money! I think I’m hooked on it haha! If anyone hasn’t seen enigma yet, I highly reccommend it! Well done derren you were fantastic, can’t wait to come to another show haha 😀 xxxx
Hi Derren. Late message from me as i only just realised you had a blog!
I remember coming to see you on the Friday at Wimbledon and loved it to bits especially getting to take part in your finale on stage! Can’t think what you mean about “a family” being there unless you meant us! I really love your shows and I’m looking forward to seeing enigma again on television or seeing you live anywhere else! 😀
Hey Derren, just seen this post and I am a big fan of both you and Rufus Wainwright and I’m so in love with this painting. I love his new album and I listen to his muci when I’m painting, i find it so artistic. Actually listening to the Want albums at the moment. I went to go see him at the Glasgow Concert Hall last year and he was amazing. This painting really captures him. Loving the Derren Brown Night by the way 😀