Torquay
Much fun in the modest Riviera of Torquay. Drove in listening to Thomases Waits and Tallis and munching Caramel Bunnies; today dusky pink skies, smell of barbeques and late-awakening Sunday Valentines couples. The show last night felt like a good one, and the audience was decidedly rowdier than in Swansea. Apparently the stalls featured a large man who having once appeared on Come Dine With Me, requested (and sarcastically got) special treatment at the start of the show from our crew, and then was noisy throughout. Most of his party were ejected before the second half, during which the duty manager sat with this chap to make sure he behaved. Thus the second act was very much delayed, and the audience energy at the end was, I think, unavoIdably affected. Tonight may prove to be a different, couply, loved-up sort of crowd.
Apologies to a chap called Sam from whom, in a fluster to keep signing at stage door, I grabbed a ticket rather rudely. If you know Sam, please pass on my apologies. I think I may have been grossly disappointing to meet because of it, and I hate that.
My hotel room, though of high chintz, is proving a great place to work with it’s ocean view, so I am keeping tucked away.
Thank you for coming if you did, and I hoped you enjoyed it. It was a fun night
x
How sad that some people have to spoil it for others. I’m glad this man and his party was thusly dealt with.
Have been to Torquay years ago and I found it a lovely, charming place to be. Sounds as though you think the same.
See you in Crawley next week! 😀
LC x
Shame there is often someone to spoil it – perhaps you should hypnotise them on the way in 😉
good luck for tonight
Hello Derren :>
Ashame about the whole ticket incedent, i’m sure he’ll understand.
I find it amusing how your team deal with difficult celebrities ;d
You was in my dreams last night 😡 .. No i’m not gay,
You was like my “guardian” lolol.. Except you were much wiser and stupidly intelligent in my dream.. You taught me how to influence things better I think.. I dunno, but you taught me!
sweet dreams ^^
We had the major missfortune to be sitting behind the Rather Large man. And their consumption of several bottles of wine didn’t help.
It spoiled the first half of the show for my bf as he couldn’t see, as this large man wouldn’t sit still or stop talking. . any way many thanks to the staff for dealing with the situation. And the meeting of Derren after the show more than made up it.
Fantastic show.
There’s always one numpty who spoils it for others. Come dine with me, what a claim to fame though eh lol. I’m in Torquay on Wednesday, never been before so I’m hoping there’s plenty for me and an almost 7yr old to do whilst hubby is in a meeting!
“Tucked away with a lovely sea view” – no wonder I didn’t see you round town today. Did hope to stumble across you in Cafe Nero.
If you get a chance I recommend a visit to Shaldon Zoo, just a short drive east along coast road from Torquay. Known for its collection of tiny marmoset monkeys. Lovely.
I was there last night, and that man was incredibly rude. But I believe Derren dealt with it very well!
Possibly the greatest show I have ever seen and definitely something I will never forget.
It was a great night – standing ovations at the end – noisiness forgotten. The second half was just as enjoyable as the first… it takes more than a noisy, self-important idiot to affect our enjoyment for any length of time. Worry not, Derren, and I apologise on behalf of Torbay!
Last night was the first time I’ve been to one of your shows, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Rather Large Man was a shame, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment. Empty vessels make the most noise and all that, and lets face it, a vessel that size will make a hell of a racket.
But please, come back soon, and often, to the faded glory of the Riviera!
Such a shame that a few try to spoil things for others… at least they were dealt with. Really looking forward to seeing the show on Monday xx
Hey Derren,
Just wanted to leave a little comment to thank you for being such a gentleman after the show when you signed my programme and commented on my pink coat!!! 🙂
The show was incredible last night, we will definitely be coming to the next tour! As your TV shows do you evoked so many emotions in such a short space of time it was amazing! You deserve all the applause for your hard work.
Good luck with the rest of the tour and enjoy the true chintz-ness of Torquay!
Lots of Love
Hannah (and James) from Torquay
x
Me and my boyfriend enjoyed ourselves sooooo much! Just want to thank you also for the autograph and heres some pictures! One looking very suprised as you come out the door and the last one is a sneeky one with me in! lol! Good luck with the future shows and hope your enjoying torquay! x
http://twitpic.com/138xut
http://twitpic.com/138xxg
http://twitpic.com/138xyk
Like Hallmork, we had the unfortunate rotten luck that placed us behind the Rather Large Man. I could clearly tell that his entire party were completely trolleyed and were not behaving at all. They got really quite offensive when the couple behind them asked them to quieten down a bit while Derren was performing.
Aside from that, it was an amazingly enjoyable night, Derren was brilliant and completely exceeded my already high expectations of him. Highlight was probably ***SPOILER REMOVED***.
Thank you for coming to Devon Derren! I hope you do come back to Torquay again with the next show!
Ah, I wondered what was going on. That man cost me my train home. *angry face* Never mind. The show last night was indeed great fun and I really enjoyed. Thank you so much! 🙂 x
oh and LukeVanDerLinden made me want to add, ive had dreams about you too! That sounds so wierd! but in my dream you were my dentist??? And thinking about that I wouldn’t mind it because you could put me under a trance! 🙂
tom waits, eh? he who wrote “jersey grrl”…that’s me! 😉
Hi Derren. My husband and I are coming to see you tomorrow and we are both really looking forward to it. We are both huge fans and my husband has read your book on several occasions. Such a shame that the rather large man had to try to spoil it for others. Really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, good luck for tonight.
Love from Bethan xx
Dear Derren,
I am the sam that was at the stage door and i didnt think you were rude at all and it was an honour to see such an amazing show, and to meet you after and it made my night. The ejected party were sitting a few rows in front and they did their vbest to spoil it but failed miserably.
Great show will definitely come again,
Sam
the rather large man you are talkin about works for torbay council, and he is a bit excentric as he is big gay and overly camp.. hope no one like that there monday when i go… and i still want my hug derren
I live just down the coast and share your ocean view. It could be a good sky tonight, Sirius and Orion well up to the SE. At dusk I could smell spring in the trees. Stay grounded and map the physical landscape as we as the social one into your brain!
I was unfortunately sat on the same row as the large man, and I’d like to apologise on behalf on Torquay!
But anyway, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the show at all – it was absolutely fantastic and I’ve been trying to figure out how you did it all day!!
It was also lovely to meet you after the show – thanks so much for the autograph and photos!
Hope you will return to Torquay again, and enjoy your stay 🙂
Much love, Emily xxx
Gutted i didn’t get tickets to see any of the shows in Scotland! 🙁
What a brilliant show and felt mega priviledged to be on stage with someone I really admire. Best wishes for the rest of the tour.
The show last night was amazing, and all I heard all the way home (60 miles) was” I just dont know how he did it, so much to think about etc” from my boyfriend who just couldn’t get over it all lol.
By the way there was one thing you did that was just too weird for me- I dont want to say too much but I had just lost my Grandfather last week and well you probably understand what I’m referring to!
Thanks for a great night
Hi Derren
Unfortunately said party were 2 rows back from where we sat, It’s the first time i have seen you live although i do watch all your TV shows. And was quite proud of myself last night as i worked out your ***SPOLIER REMOVED***. You are a true genius though and cant wait for the next tour.
Derren,
Yet again another amazing show and my friend Paul is now another convert. And again you took the time to sign some autographs, trust me not many bother! Sorry he tried to spoil it last night he is certainly not representative of the bay. I was the one you gave you the Palm card hope you don’t mind but would have loved to have you on my show. Still I am covering tomorrow night 7pm till 11pm if you fancy popping in before you leave. Again thanks for a great night and have a good one tomorrow.
Cheers
Kevin
Hi Derren you are always amazing and very friendly. Even when the man shouted out it still didn’t ruin it. Great night thank you :D. Looking forward to seeing it again tomorrow lol. Xx
Derren,
Brilliant show, after watching you on TV it was even more fantastic live, will definitely be back for more! Thanks for taking the time to sign the programme and the tickets after the show….true gent.
p.s. Glad you think my name is ‘almost’ perfect!!
Darren
It was an amazing show, and thank you for signing my tour book and having a pic with me last night (this is Atlanta if you reconigse the name hahaha) you made my YEAR 🙂 xxxx
I was there that night, didn’t notice the large man but then again I was sitting right at the back. Unless he was the guy who shouted “Go on, Derren!” at an inappropriate time, in which case, what a knob, eh?
Hope the rather rowdy crowd didn’t put you off Torquay, it’s a lovely place really! So glad to see you so close to home – I live in Teignmouth (a couple of miles along the coast) and usually have to travel to Plymouth or Bristol for stuff.
The show was absolutely amazing, exceeded all my expectations, and I had REALLY high expectations! I will almost definitely be seeing you again soon, hopefully with my friend Elly who was ill and couldn’t make it. She’s a massive fan and was really gutted she couldn’t make it.
It was lovely meeting you afterwards as well! See you again soon x
I went on Saturday, was right up at the front so no-one obnoxious in front of me – I did see a large chap walking back from the front after doing one of the audience participation bits (think it was the one at the start rather than the interval one – hope that doesn’t count as a spoiler) who I recognised, guess it was from CDWM!
Amazing show, as for the warnings about not discussing anything, I’m not sure I could describe all the twists and turns so no worries on that score…
Also as Ziggy says it’s fantastic for someone to come to Torquay for once!
Dear Darren Congratulations on following your dream and succeeding so magnificently. I remember you from Bristol at which point you were already fairly “wizardy” looking with some balloon shape tie dyed pants which were somewhat at odds with all the alicebands and coloured jeans of the rest of the inhabitants of the Wills Library (a dress code from which I was also spared). Thought that you would want to know that your powers of distraction were already fairly potent whilst in Uni and you were almost responsible for me missing my jurisprudence exam, when you did nt even do JP – not enough characters 2 explain!
Wanted to come and congratulate you in person last night, but thought that I could be mistaken for a stalker by hanging around the back stage door, so decided to desist. x
Hi Derren-was at the Sat night show and want to add my thanks for an absolutely incredible performance. I saw the Fat One showing off in the bar before the show-very sad person-but didn’t spoil it for me. I’m a big fan but to see you live was awesome-everything was great but the ending was out of this world-superb!! Cant wait to see you again–all the best for the rest of the tour and thanks again for such a remarkable experience–Colin(Torquay)
I’m sorry one silly big man spoilt the show for the others. How incredibly rude!
I happened upon your blog as I’m coming to see you next month at Hull New Theatre and really looking forward to it. I hope we don’t have any large, impolite men in the audience!
Can’t wait. 🙂
What a brilliant way to spend Valentine’s night. Derren you are a genius and I was enthralled all the way through. The show was incredible and I will always make sure that I see all your future tours. The Torquay venue was great and it is nice not to have to go all the way to Plymouth for a change.
You are amazing! Thanks.
Gave me husband tickets to see Derren at The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend (30/03/09) for Valentines Day – to say he was over the moon was an understatment! Im rather excited myself. I promised him we could wait around after the show as well to try and meet the great man himself so Derren if your reading this please come out and say hi to Wayne for me! Many thanks, Susie
Absolutely mind-blowing show last night Derren! I have been furiously recommending the show to everyone who will listen! Couldn’t believe we got the privilege of hearing your world-famous Stewie impression as well! Certainly got our money’s worth!!! I’m so glad I managed to persuade my friends to come along as I’m sure next time I’ll be fighting them off! Thanks again for sticking around to sign autographs for the mob at the stage door also. So appreciated although I feel I took advantage somewhat, managing to acquire two autographs and a photo with yourself! Not a memory I’ll ever forget!
Came to said show at Torquay …… amazing night and luckily wasnt affected by over-sized irritating ‘gentleman’. Knew I would be astounded by your genius and wasnt disappointed in the least ….. in fact spent most of the evening with a slack jaw and wide eyes. Looking forward to your next tour already!
Oh and btw happened to be there when you grabbed Sam’s ticket …… didnt look to me like he was offended in the slightest, just pleased to have the opportunity to meet you. My friend and I have been telling all that will listen what a perfect gent you are 🙂
Good luck with the rest of the tour.
Keeping with Luke, Lauren and Reece’s dream theme, I also had a dream about Derren recently. I was sat next to him in a theatre. (Clearly a result of me being all whipped up about seeing Enigma in 36 days. Eek!) Coops was there too! 😀
Hope the presence of the World Whanker Champion in your audience didn’t put you off. Hate people like that 😡
Rather Large Man was there Saturday night. I was several rows in front so was fortunate enough not to be too distracted by him.
Was completely shocked Derren remembered me on Saturday from the night before in Swansea and asked how my journey there from South Wales had been. So sweet. Can’t wait to see the show in Bristol now 🙂
I was at the show in Torquay and even with the annoying man and the slightly extended interval is was still an amazing show that i did not want to end. It was the first time i had ever seen Derren live but it certainly won’t be the last
@Rhian have you been to every night of the tour so far? how many times are you seeing him?
x
hi Derren I was there on Saturday night and thought you out done your self from last year, I just couldn’t believe how you were doing it, and sure the break was a little longer than normal but to be quite honest me and my friends would of sat there for hours with no complaint, it was just pure entertainment! And if I see that man from “come dine with me” I’ll tell him what I think of him! it was just rude and he thinks because he has been on some lame TV show he cant get away with it well his pissing in the wind lol
I hope to see you next year if your having an other tour and I hope you enjoyed Torquay as much as we have enjoyed having you 🙂
Nico Mitchell
Thankyou for the most entertaining Saturday night I’ve had in a while. Me and my parents travelled 3 hours to torquay under the guise of “visiting family” but it was your show we really went for. I have to say I was worried that we would be disappointed, as we are all rather cynical, but the three of us have barely stopped talking about it since (to each other, don’t worry your surprises are safe). We all thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to thank you once again for an amazing night. Good luck with the rest of the tour, unfortunately I have not been able to get tickets for my friends and I when you visit Southampton, but I do hope it goes just as well as Saturday night. I can’t believe at one point you came within a foot of me! Thankyou again,
Alex Norris
Hello Derren,
Just a quick note to say I was there on the saturday show at torquay and it was undoubtedly the best thing I have ever seen. I was the girl in the blue dress in the stalls ***SPOILER REMOVED*** It was a brilliant show and that silly fat man couldnt change that!
Many many thanks
Laura
I was unfortunate enough to be sat in front od the noisy people, but luckily i still thaught the show was amazing! plus I got a souvenir 😉
Hi All
Check out our beaurtiful Geopark – on the English Riviera – YES Torbay!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RATmkF9zXy4
Thanks
Hi Derren,
Just wanted to say what a stunning show you put on in Torquay on Friday night. I am still thinking about how you did it all.
Thanks very much!
Martin
Brilliant show Derren
We were sat across the aisle and few rows back from the loud large man. Yes he keep moving and kept talking. Every time Derren needed audience participation (ie needed a watch) his hand went up. He delayed the second half of the show and clearly thought he was more important than he is.
Along came Karma when a frisbee landed behind him. I’d never seen a large man move so fast. After waving the frisbee in the air you promptly told him to pass it on. I don’t know if you realised he was the man causing the trouble, but it was brilliant that you asked him to pass it on. He casually threw it behind him pretending not to be bothered, but he clearly was.
What was even funnier that the ‘celebrity’ left before the encore and therefor missed the whole ending! Fan
Wow wow wow went again on the monday and it was amazing again!! Loved this show, I was a little sad tho as it will be the last time I see it live, hence why I went twice. You totally deserved the standing ovation at the end and Derren, you are truely a lovely human being (and also very clever) LOL xx