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Published: 01 July 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR

IF you’re going to the Kenwood Picnic Concert on Saturday evening, don’t clap your hands or shout “bravo” during the first half of Rufus Wainwright’s show – or when he leaves the stage for the interval. And don’t take any pictures.

The American born singer-songwriter has specif­ically asked the Kenwood audience not to applaud during the first set or during his exit from the stage at its end. Rather, keep the applause until he has disappeared from view as his mode of exit is an integral part of the show. After a brief intermission, Rufus will return for the second half, expecting members of the audience to applaud to their hearts’ content.

The crucial first half  of the show is to present a new song cycle performed against the backdrop of visuals by Douglas Gordon, the inventive Scottish film artist. Part of the visuals involve Rufus’s fluttering eyes caught by a camera shooting at 1,000 frames per second.

“When most I wink, then do my eyes see best,” he says, citing Shakespeare.

While his eyes flutter like crazy on the big screen, Rufus will sing items from his new album All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu. If samples of the album are anything to go by, some of his may be out of tune.

In the second half, Rufus intends to sing numbers from his other albums and do his cele­brated impersonation of Judy Garland.

• Rufus Wainwright is  at Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, NW3, on Saturday July 3, 7.30pm,
from £31/cons £29.50, 0844 412 2706,  www. picnicconcerts