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.
Glad to hear you had a great couple of days for filming – hope your nail/finger heals soon, yikes! x
Hahahaha!!!!! Can’t wait to watch tonight!!! See you I Glasgow on Thursday!!!!!!!!!
Ahh Mr Brown, with these documentaries you are really spoiling us!
I am awfully sorry to hear about your finger nail, however please take heart that they are a natural resourse and will eventually come back – I hope it does not affect any of the tricks!
I am most excited about the prospect of seeing out very own Lady claire and Sue on the DVD!! I do hope you keep them in!
And i’m sure you get asked all the time but any chance of Trick or Treat being released on DVD at all?
Thanks
SG x
Just to say I saw the show in Wimbledon on Thursday, – it was absolutely brilliant. If I didn’t know any better I’d swear you were psychic… These last few weeks the best things I have seen include your show, ‘Ghost Stories’ at the Lyric, – which was also fantastic, – and Rufus Wainwright at The Symphony Hall, Birmingham. I had no idea you were an artist as well. A man of many talents. All the best to you.
I went to the filming night on the Wed. And I thought that crowd was terrific too. Wonderful, in fact! 🙂 I blogged this at the time…
“The show was absolutely brilliant. It was amazing that by not seeing it for a few months it all felt new again. Derren had added some more wonderfully witty retorts & had changed a few other bits around too. It lended itself to someone like me, who had seen it a few times already, a much fresher feel & it was a joy to watch. Derren seemed to really enjoy the performance (it certainly seemed so to me, Derren very energetic & vibrant on stage) and with the show being filmed, it made the entire evening one of a delightful atmosphere coupled with a wonderfully responsive audience.”
Such an emotive painting & look after that finger! 🙂
LC x
i am happy to say i was part of the ‘younger, livelier bunch’ from tuesday. It is quite upsetting to hear only 70 of the full 150 minutes will be shown on tv as all my school friends were asking about the tricks. i will try and remember what is missed out, come christmas time when it will be showed, and tell them all about it. Because the show was amazing and i loved every second of it.
The Paintings are actually amazing, i didnt know there was such artistic tallent besides to magic. And i shall be watching the show tonight even though i should probably be revising. Hope the rest of your shows go well for the remainder of your tour. Nylah x
I was at Wimbledon on the Thursday and love it. It was kinda complicated but simple at the same time. A perfect head f@ck. thank you.
just one thing, I thought the doors opened at 7:30 and was told i couldn’t go in as i wasn’t there on time cos of the filming and i was SO SO SO gutted. lucky for me other were there with the same problem (20 of us) and in the end they were shouting so loud i think the manager thought lets just let them in and stuck us up on the roof for the first half, but still i’m please i made it in. in future maybe on the confirmation email or somewhere you can say this is being filmed if you are not there on time your @ss stays out side. (fair nuff i think)
This painting is awesome by the way, great great work, I wanna see more.
Sharron
Loved the show Derren, me and my mates had a blast – i don’t think I’ve ever literally gasped before. Also loving the Wainwright painting, saw him supporting Neil Young once and he accidentally sang the same verse twice for ‘Hallelujah’ hah we all loved him though. x
First time I have been to your show – had a fabulous time on Saturday night. We were in the upper circle (despite paying full price thank you very much!), so would love to see you again soon in better seats. My fiance (who often mocked my love of your work) may now be a convert (though he would loath to admit it). Thanks and keep up the good work!
ahahaha…oh, wanted to say a few things but …completely forgot due your last line 🙂 so funny, ghéh
Will you be posting a sequence of Rufus also and the others? if you have pretty pwease…?
Be carefull with your finger and keep it clean! Enjoy the next bit of the tour…
xx
I was in the Thursday Audience and I have got to say that it was completely worth the two hour train ride with drunken kiss fans on me way home. And the incredibly eccentric face painter who insisted on calling us a taxi. And the crazy cat obsessed taxi driver.
But as I was saying … Totally worth it.
Also, utterly spectacular portrait of Rufus – I only wish my inferior artistic skills could stretch a little beyond fan art and pitiful excuses for portraits.
And finally (I’ve never felt more like Hugh Edwards …), cannae wait for Investigates tonight! I’m sure it’ll cause less religious arguments among the family than last week’s show. Perhaps I’ll watch it somewhere else … the garage.
Glad wimbledon went well…the painting looks amazing…i really wish i could draw at least…cant wait to see the tv show tonight…this guy seem less annoying/punchable than last week’s…(will have to see) have a lovely run in stoke…take care DB
Xx
Ps: hope your finger heals up soon… How you managed to break your nail with a cupboard still baffles me…..then again..so does your work…lol..
Take cre..xx
Wow, that painting. if you’d like a home for it, mine is open
Yay Rufie looks so perfect! I think he’ll be really, really pleased.
The latest Rufus painting is much better than the previous, me humbly thinks.
Must admit I’d never heard of the bloke, but I love the painting.
New picture of Rufus is simply spectacular! I love his face expression. Made me think of the ‘Vicious World’ immediately.
PS. Sorry to hear about your finger. Hey, why don’t you try homeopathy! No better cure for sure. 😀
Ripped your nail off…?! Ouch 🙁 That painting of Rufus is very good indeed 🙂 Thanks to you, I now listen to his music, one word… AMAZING!!!
Just started reading this blog — I like reading about how performances work from your end of things. (And very much looking forward to when you hit America. I’ve got my fingers crossed that we’ll see you in LA!) It’s great that you’re painting again after such a long hiatus, and this is an interesting new development in your work. The directness of his gaze is almost unnerving, but in a good way.
That’s twice you’ve damaged a finger on this year’s tour. I remember you telling me it was particularly bad last time (like a 6 year old child would)… this time sounds worse. Look after yourself! x
Oh and I love Rufus. 🙂
You are far too talented to be one person. I bet you’re secretly 2 or 3 gifted children, standing on eachother’s shoulders, taking turns wearing the derren brown mask.
Wow. Nice portrait of Robbie Williams. Hope your finger gets well soon. Id send it a Get Well Soon card but I dont know where it lives. Maybe in some deep dark alley?
Love the Rufus portrait, Derren’s best yet, by far.
Awwwwwww.
Only 70 minutes of 140!?!?!??
Awwwww!!!!!
Ripped the nail off … HOW??? Didn’t you feed Coops fast enough again? Do you deserve the pain?
Ofcourse you will understand that we do need proof of that finger. The complete nail needs to be off .. otherwise we can not see to you from our most kindest self .. the ever so soothing system we posses.
‘
My bum wont stink although I wont enjoy it tonight. That’s because Channel 4’s bum stinks as it does not air it all over the world … or was it Brown Tower’s ? Hm .. fail to remember how this could have happened .. only for UK residents ..
For allt hose bums in the UK, lazy on their couches .. waiting for Brown to pop up on the screen with interesting stuff ..ENJOY .make sure you don’t smell .. It’s your job as we can not see to that. And that, my dear Mr Brown, that HURTS! nails .
I was at the Wimbledon show on Monday and I thought you were mind blowing! I think i was annoying the people next to me with my “oh my gods” and “no ways!”. I cant stop talking about the show to anyone I see! ***SPOILER REMOVED***
As before….great show, definitely going again next tour!
Yay for Derren 🙂 You’ve inspired me to start drawing again (Fine art college course makes it seem like work – but i’m enjoying it again now 🙂 ) -i’ve been stealing my freinds facebook pics and sketching them 🙂 looking foward to tonights documentary 🙂 Much loves xxx
Aww poor darling so sorry to hear your finger still hurts (((hugs))) Hope it feels better soon sweetie
great painting it looks brilliant as always 😀
can’t wait to see you again in salford in a few weeks
take care darling see you soon
xxx Chantelle
I’m rubbing my nails wincing in sympathy. What happened?! I hope one year I get to actually earn a living wage and get to see on of your shows.
Also, your rufus painting is so beautiful. It looks really intimate, as if it’s a real moment from a conversation you had not just an image in your head.
The show on Wednesday in Wimbledon was just great! I brought along my partner who had just seen you on TV and said live it was extremely good and TV does not do you justice.
I hope your fingernail grows back quickly, we need you in perfect shape 🙂
Oh, I wish I had lots of money so I would be able to book you to performe at our wedding….until then, I will continue to watch your shows every time you come to London, and of course on TV.
Your visul art looks amasing too! You are very talented, and your memory is incredible. I think you would have been successful doing anything you were to set your mind to.
All the best
Linda
Thoroughly looking forward to Derren Brown Is Kind Enough To Spend A Few Moments Of His Valuable Time Taking A Jolly Goood Look At This And That…*deep breath*…on tonight. KILL ‘EM! Only joking. Slap them around a little, then let them off. 😀
P.s. Love the painting. I think it’s my favourite of yours.
Hi Derren,
Sorry, you felt the Monday Wimbledon Show was quiet, I had a blast, in fact, the best evening entertainment I have been to in a long time!! (well, they don’t let me out that much..)
Wandering around in a somnolent state after I came across a corner shop selling greeting cards, one of which depicted a young man with crossed arms leaning against the proverbial sofa. The inscription read: “I used to be an atheist, then I realised I was God”… Food for thought? 😉 (still, best not mention this to the fatalistic parrot..).
Love Sabine
PS: Looking forward to watching your channel 4 show tonight with a non stinking bum!
Look after your fingernails a bit better for the rest of the tour (you only have nine left, and who likes paintings in real blood?) 😉
Ha, I love the improvement on the ‘Investigates’ title. I think this one is much better.
The painting is gorgeous; Saturday’s show was fantastic; and thank you very much for telling us about your fingernail in capitals – I now feel vaguely sick.
I think I am actually in love with this painting…. I have always appreciated your work but this is really something else!
Ahhh sexy beautiful stuff! love it! Badass… Epic!
Love your art forms, both tv shows and painting. Look forward to tonight’s show.
Please say hello to your new born (nail) for me.
Delighted to be part of the ‘younger,livelier bunch’ even if I wasn’t as young and as lively as the slightly spaced out Alfie. Enjoyed the show immensely – still trying to work out how it’s all done. Why are we programmed to sit for hours trying to figure these things out?
Hi Derren. I attended Wednesday’s show and it was absolutely amazing. I’ve been a fan for years and had seen your other shows on TV but this was my first time to see you in the flesh as it were and it was simply the best night at the theatre I’ve been to bar none and this was the consensus of EVERYONE who gathered outside the theatre after the show and at the intervaland to your credit, the night was fairly cock-up free! ***SPOILER REMOVED*** You were phemominal, witty, funny and turely mesmerising.
To summarize, a simply amazing night not to be forgotten in a hurry – highly recommended to anyone!
P.S – Great Stewie Griffin impression
Awesome painting!
Is anyone in possession of a magical teleportation device so I can get my bum over the channel to watch the show? It looks so great! Channel 4 should learn that we’re all citizens of the world and borders don’t matter, really *sigh*.
Great show derren. I think I found myself disliking this guy more than the psychic last week. And even though I like it my bum still smells!
Loved the show – I have always been impressed by your talents. now I must add a new one to my list, your fantastic ability to keep a straight face through Bronnikovs babbling bollocks!
At lest I now SEE him for what he is!
Derren, just logged on after watching the latest documentary(which was excellent IMO). Interesting to see how both parties(both this week and last) instantly became very defensive when asked to prove, or indeed, come up with some evidence for their alleged skills. Thought last week was brilliant, watching the chap become increasingly angered the more he got wrong. He was clutching at straws at times whilst simultaneously attempting to ‘big up’ his own ‘factual’ findings over yours!
Love the painting although at first glance and having read the word ‘stoke’ I wrongly assumed it was Robbie Williams! It does have a look of him, although I guess that’s perception for you.
Loved your recent live show btw..keep up the good work!
Hey, I know Derren wil probably never read this but if he does then that’d be awesome – Just got back from his 1st show at Stoke Regent, and I’m absolutely over the moon – the show was amazing, and I met Derren after and he was so cool! Thanks for putting on such a great show and meeting your fans after Derren, this has been the best day of my life!!! (Yeah, I know, that sounds so cheesey >.<)
-Susannah
Hello! xxx Awesome painting, it makes me feel kind of sad…….anyway, just watched tonight’s documentary and enjoyed it very much. So my bum does not stink, LOL!!! I cannot wait for the next one. It’s the one I’ve been looking forward to the most, oooooo ghosties, heehee! xxx
You’re so lucky to know Rufus Wainwright, he’s such a brilliant musician! The emotion of his music certainly seems to have fed itself into your painting of Rufus – a direct bloodline without interruption. He’s such a beautiful looking guy too, and this is a gorgeous portrayal of him. Good on ya Derren, you certainly pick the creme de la creme to paint. 🙂
lovely
you are a man of many talents mr Brown i wish i could paint that amazing! love all your posts usually make me giggle the thing i want to know is.. whens the next awesome book coming out!!!!!! im waiting…………….
oh nail ripping bad news,I nearly fainted when I did mine more pain than when I broke my leg,you have my deepest sympathies !!
I absolutely love Rufus Wainwright – guy is musical genius!! Love his work. Your interpretation of him is amazing..I really am enjoying it. Fantastic. Thank you.
Ps – am also enjoying your new series – Thank you for pouring a dose of common sense over the mixed up, muddy waters of the self appointed guru industry. Hoping to catch you again sometime live on tour, was a greatly entertaining show!
Ah, I always thought Debussy’s music was utterly divine. For the record, I really enjoy your more realistic style.