Belfast
Belfast was just wonderful, thank you any of you who came along and packed out the Waterfront Hall with astonishing noise and energy. The response from the house was astonishing, and seeing everyone leaping to their feet in such a huge open hall was really fantastic. Thank you.
We visited the Giant’s Causeway, which, though I’m sure it’s just obligatory school trip territory to the locals, was a lovely afternoon trip. I realised the image I had carried around in my head of the Causeway since primary school was quite, quite different from the real thing. We had lunch at the Bushmills Inn (the whole of Bushmills smells of its famous malt) and headed back for the show.
The shows were very good, but on the third night my voice suddenly became worryingly absent. Two late nights with friends, a change in weather and a long run of shows had taken their toll, and I had to perform the last night with a more controlled tone than normal. This is a huge worry when this happens: keeping the voice strong is always the priority. If it goes, we have to pull shows, which is terrible.
Therefore I was not able to go out for signing on the last night, and unfortunately this will have to be the case for the next few nights until my voice is back to normal. It’s straight back to the hotel and into bed, rest as much as possible and then not speaking during the day. Steam, water, honey and lemon fill my wordless days until the shows. So a thousand apologies to anyone hoping to catch me after the shows: I am whisked away quickly, so please don’t waste your time waiting at the stage door for now thinking I’m still in there.
Hopefully things will be back to normal after a few days. I’ve also had to cancel meetings and interviews until this period passes.
Dublin tonight was huge fun: we were only the third show to appear in the brand new Grand Canal Theatre. Its a fantastic place. From the stage you can here each of the 2160 people as if they were sat right around you. The Dublin audience is different from those of Belfast: rowdier, funnier and very present. They were huge fun and a well-placed shout from one audience member had me and the backstage crew cracking up. So thank you for tonight, Dubliners. Looking forward to the next two.
Apologies again for not being able to come out and sign afterwards. Will let you know how that goes.
Meanwhile I must try to enjoy Dublin in silence…
x
Wow, excellent show in Dublin, thoroughly spellbinding. Been a fan for years on TV, finally got to go watch you live, can’t wait until next time – you’ll have to get better with the ould frizbee throwing though, you kept missing me 🙁
Enjoy the next couple of nights in Dublin, get yourself down to the Bull and Castle and get yourself some good clean Irish Craft beer (e.g. OHaras, Galway Hooker, Franciscan Well) to lubricate your sore vocals – stay away from that dirty nasty guinness muck, it’s not good for you!
you actually meet people outside after the show!? man if i had known that….although it’s probably best I didn’t know that as I’d have been giggling like a 14-year old school girl and making a right tit of myself.
the first belfast show was outstanding. i love live entertainment and I’ve seen some of the worlds biggest bands and stage productions but your shows are by far the best i’ve ever seen. I’ve been reminding my friends and family of this opinion all week. i’m pretty sure they’re ready to kill me but i don’t care, the world must know!
come back soon! you rocked.
I hope you get your voice back soon 🙁
57 days 😀
xx
hi derren, alan again de perv! front row last nite,dublin, tanks for a great show,really enjoyed it, altough my hearth was almost breaking through me ribs with nerves, could not stop sweating, could you tell!!. de joker was so funny, BOB……seriously do, would have loved for u to put me under and boost my confidence for situations like this..could you.? def will go c u again with your next show. get well soon, regards Alan.
Thanks for saying Hi from the Giant’s Causeway 😀
xxx
Hope you feel better soon Derren. See you on Monday! x
P.S. Manuka honey 😉
I’m coming to see you in Cardiff on Tuesday and hope you’ll be able to come to the stage door afterwards, but since I have a GCSE oral the next day, I don’t want to be waiting for hours after you’ve already left. So please could you blog whether you’ll be signing etc after the Cardiff show, if not then I wish you a speedy recovery 🙂
Saw Enigma last night in Dublin, and I’ve since been struggling to find enough superlatives to describe the show! You have GOT to do a book based on Enigma!
I know i’m a wee tad bit lare posting my blog could be i’m still astonished by you(as usual) Everytime i see u i’ve got closer and closer to the stage filled with awe and excitement but at the same time bricking it incase i’m called to the stage to be near the master of illusion lol. It’s my 3rd time seeing u in Belfast and everytime i thing i know wot could be coming up nxt them bam its not and am left dumbfounded and astonished as usual. I don’t how u do it or how ur genuis mind gets these ideas!! Thanx 4 more than a great nite out best craic i’ve had in ages of course u never fail to disappoint and make us laugh so u deserved that standing ovation and more. As always i love u and rhanx again 4 coming to Belfast 4 a great show u ever faith minion Shaneen xxx
I was at last night’s show and it was amazing, come back to Dublin in your next tour and I will deffinitly be there to see you perform. Once again, amazing show, even better than your last two (on TV)
There’s a really good vocal warm up you can download online from the website Jeannie Deva, (by the way, I’m not affiliated with them in any way, lol, but I use it and found it really helpful). Vocal tension is usually the main culprit with vocal strain and this warm up has exercises to combat this problem. Try using a lower or higher tone to what you normally use too, as it’ll give the strained areas a bit more time to revive.
Sorry, I know I’m teaching a hen to such eggs, but I do hope it might help somehow.
All the best! 🙂
x
Get better lovely 🙂 Can’t wait to see you in London. Take care darling.
xx
Hope your voice returns to normal as soon as. You prob. have said before, but does the strain in your voice have some inpact om your show?
There I am expecting you to answer!
Gargling is good for the larynx, apparently.
And keep a nosy on your throat glands, as that is an early indicator of throat probs.
My medical bill is in the post………………… : )
Hi there Derren, just wanted to say, absolutely fantastic shoow, was there on the last night at the Waterfront, it was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! Really, still cannot get my head round it. Hope you manage to come back some time soon, and hope the voice gets a better soon too!
Lots of love,
Emma
x
The boyfriend went last night and said it was amazing. Absolutely raging I didn’t get to go! I’ll have to catch you next time!
Was at the first Belfast show and loved the whole thing. I live not that far from the Causeway you could have came in for a cuppa!! Looking forward to seeing you again in Belfast on a future tour.
Aww Derren I hope you get better soon 😀 xx
Just At Dublin Show It Was Amazing !! :O 🙂
Hi Derren ,
Just been to your show in Dublin . Had a great night loved the ***SPOILER REMOVED*** 🙂 Hope your voice is feeling better soon . looking forward to seeing your next show in Dublin .
Hi Derren, went to your show at the Grand Canal Theatre the other night and it was without doubt the best live show I’ve ever seen… Definatley will come and see you again, and enjoy Dublin man, I hope the performances on the next few nights go as well as the first!!!
Thanks for the great show mate
(p.s. your Stewie Griffin impression was second to none!!!)
Take it easy Derren
A huge thanks to you and your touring company for the hard work and for brining us such a great show. Dublin.
I was at the Dublin show last night (16th). It was amazing. Third time seeing you live and still just as entertaining as ever. A few people laughing at inappropriate times must have annoyed you a little. The new theatre is glorious. You looked great and I love how the show all comes together at the end. Glad that your voice was alright. Hope it’s not still giving you trouble.
Take care and enjoy tonight.
Hi Derren, myself and my sisters and boyfriend were at your first night in Belfast and we were all astounded and amazed with the spectacular show. And we were so glad to be able to meet you afterwards too. You’re a perfect gent and a honour to meet-I’ve been smiling all week!
So sorry to hear your throat is acting up. Hope you keep getting better!
Thanks again for the brilliant evening and for being so friendly and chatty with everyone at the door. It’s such a great feeling when the people you look up to live up to all your expectations.
Come back soon! You’re always welcome here.
Mary
I think you’re voice had started to go on Wednesday you performed in the waterfront? It sounded a bit rough though. Anyway Enigma was amasing! As usual with all of your shows!! I loved it!!