Brian Pern: A Life in Rock (2014)

The Prop Gallery's original Triffid returns to the BBC

Brian Pern: A Life in Rock is a comedy spoof documentary series which appeared on BBC Television in 2014. The series stars Simon Day as Brian Pern, former front man of the 1970s prog rock band Thotch, who claims to have invented world music. The series was written by Simon Day and director/producer Rhys Thomas who had previously collaborated on the noted BBC comedy The Fast Show. First broadcast on BBC Four in February 2014 as The Life of Rock with Brian Pern the series was well received and a second series was commissioned and promoted to BBC Two where it aired in December 2014.

The second episode of series two deals with the tenth anniversary of the twentieth anniversary of the fifth anniversary of the first anniversary of the non-release of Brian's solo album - Brian Pern's Musical Version of The Day of the Triffids. To celebrate this milestone Brian plans to stage the entire album live from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro with a host of special guests and in true Pern style nothing goes according to plan. In addition to regular cast members Simon Day, Michael Kitchen, Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery The Day of the Triffids episode stars a multitude of special guest appearances by noted individuals including veteran actor Sir Roger Moore of James Bond fame.

During pre production of the second series The Prop Gallery were contacted by writer, producer and director Rhys Thomas who had seen what is believed to be the only surviving original full size Triffid plant from the classic 1981 BBC science fiction television series The Day of the Triffids displayed on our company collection page. Rhys expressed an interest in the Triffid prop making an appearance in the series and so on September 23rd 2014 it was transported to Wembley Arena in London where filming was taking place and made a brief cameo appearance in the show, accompanied by its two handlers aka Jamie and Del of The Prop Gallery. After a good start throwing eggs at Simon Day a few issues were thrown up with Jamie's inability to say his line in the right place and the sheer size and weight of the Triffid making it difficult to move so Del turned props department and knocked together a impromptu base for it to stand on which was then dressed with ivy. The Triffid certainly enjoyed being in front of the camera again, as for the other two, they will be sticking to the props!

Below is a selection of images taken behind the scenes at Wembley Arena during filming.

To view the Triffid prop on our company collection page click here.

The last known surviving Triffid used on screen in the 1981 television series The Day of the Triffids returns to the BBC accompanied by Jamie and Del of The Prop Gallery.

The Triffid arrives at Wembley Arena.

Throwing eggs at Simon Day for the scene where he arrives at Wembley on a Segway, under strict instructions from director Rhys Thomas not to actually hit him. Spoilsport.

Behind the scenes in the underground car park with Simon Day and Tony Way.

Director Rhys Thomas gets animated meanwhile the 'waxwork' Brian which appears at the end of the episode gets a paint job.

The Triffid props were a nightmare to move in 1981 and not much has changed so Del raided the prop van and knocked a base for the prop to sit on which Jamie dressed with ivy at the last moment in classic BBC fashion!

The view from behind the camera with Simon Day and Michael Kitchen mid take.

The stage is set.

Brian Pern's musical version of The Day of the Triffids in full swing.