Trick or Treat? Of course it’ll definitely be the latter tonight at Birmingham Ballroom with The Changeling Resurrection II Halloween Special: Toyah’s Creepy Room. Dress in your best spooky outfit, expect The Packt, Creepy Room, Voodoo Doll & Ieya in the set list, and have fun!
Following on from last Wednesday’s post about the Sleeping Beauty cast switching on the Christmas Lights in three different towns, it now looks like there is a fourth!
Countdown to Christmas: Christmas in Whitefriars is always a magical experience and this year is no exception. The Marlowe Theatre panto stars will officially launch Christmas in the city on Thursday 15 November. The popular lights switch-on event in St George’s Street will also feature a mix of games, community activities and music performances.
Smash Hit Panto: Following the success of last year’s smash hit Marlowe Theatre pantomime, you’re guaranteed another fabulous festive treat this Christmas with Sleeping Beauty. Topping the bill are singing sensation Gareth Gates and pop legend Toyah Willcox.
• Continue reading at Whitefriars Canterbury.
Just one day to go until Toyah’s Creepy Room spooks Birmingham… Buy tickets here.
Hormonal Housewives: Starring Toyah Willcox: The Hormonal Housewives are back, and this time they mean business! ‘Hormonal Housewives will have you bouncing in your seat, clapping rhythmically and laughing uncontrollably! Catch it while you can…’ (Thanks to James Hawes)
The Corn is Green: True Movies 2: Sunday 11th November: 3.00am
Academy Award winner Katharine Hepburn stars as a schoolteacher determined to help the people of a turn-of-the-century Welsh mining town. With Ian Saynor, Bill Fraser, Patricia Hayes, Anna Massey, Artro Morris, Dorothea Phillips, Toyah Willcox, Huw Richards, Bryn Fon, Dyfan Roberts and Robin John. Directed by: George Cukor (1979).
There’s now just one day to go until Toyah’s Creepy Room sends shivers through Birmingham Ballroom as The Changeling Resurrection II hits the city for a Halloween Special. Here are Dreamscape’s three and two days to go countdown images. Check back later today for the next one. Please click on each to zoom. Buy Creepy Room tickets here.
• Burst Radio: Win Toyah Tickets!: We have 2 free tickets to give away for Toyah at the Concorde2 in Brighton on Saturday night (worth £40). To enter, simply answer this question: Was Toyah’s first album called…?
• One Week // One Band: Adam And The Ants/Jubilee: Do people talk about Jordan much these days? Once—for a year or three—she mattered quite a lot.
• The Lee Mack Show: Toyah guests on Lee’s radio sketch show in 2005, and performs ‘Sweet Child O Mine’. Available at BBC iPlayer until Sat 3rd November.
• The Wave: The Rebel Diva 80s Show: Taking place at The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre, our very own Helen Enser Morgan – star of Cappuccino Girls and Brenda’s Big Night Out presents her unique vocal and comic tribute to the pop Divas of the 1980’s. Expect glittering performances as Toyah, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Hazel O’Connor and Chrissie Hynde.
• Countdown to Toyah’s Creepy Room @ Birmingham Ballroom: Three days to go!
Where the mountains meet the sea…
I’ve always loved ‘Thunder In The Mountains’. It’s a great pop song; slightly over the top lyrics, excellently synth-driven, with a pulsating rhythm and memorable chorus/hook, “Can you hear it breaking through…“, and a huge production by Nick Tauber. I’ve always said that if this was used in a big budget movie it would easily be as massive again as it was back in 1981. Music this well produced doesn’t date!
Of course this was Toyah moving further away from their early ‘Sheep Farming in Barnet/The Blue Meaning’ “coolness”, eras that are still popular 30-odd years later with fans, but most bands and artists want to progress and reach bigger audiences.
Toyah did this by evolving and adopting a more commercial sound and embracing mainstream/kid’s television, but they still managed to retain a quirkiness that set them way apart from the run-of-the-mill popsters of the early 80s. ‘Thunder In The Mountains’ illustrates that perfectly. This was Toyah’s eighth UK single, written by Toyah, Adrian Lee and Nigel Glockler, with a spectacular promo video by Godley and Creme.
Toyah’s visuals were a significant aspect of her, and the band’s, appeal. The imagery for TITM was possibly the most adventurous yet. Why Toyah isn’t lauded far more loudly in New Wave/Romantic/80s documentaries and articles really is a mystery. Thankfully fans in their own way are ensuring the wonderful imagery isn’t being forgotten.
I’m hoping to add a new ‘Song Of The Week’ each Monday. If anyone would like their’s added here please get in touch. It doesn’t have to be a single.
A Request: Did anyone take photos of the Russian Dolls (The Changeling, Anthem, At The Rainbow, The Blue Meaning) Toyah was gifted by a fan at Saturday’s TCRII Redhill concert?
UPDATE: Toyah has tweeted a photo of these amazing creations: “presented with these staggering hand painted russian dolls at the harlequin theatre last night! Thank u“.
Last night’s Changeling Resurrection II gig, at The Harlequin Theatre, Redhill. Toyah tweeted: “The lighting at redhill harlequin is breath taking! And the sound is awesome! I can’t wait to get on stage!” View larger versions of these photos, and more, at Dreamscape’s TCRII Gallery. (Thanks again to Angus Turner)
Fantastic photos of Toyah at The Electric Palace, Bridport on Friday night. Another Changeling Resurrection II date, with no less than 22 songs in the set list. Toyah tweeted: “OMG the electric palace bridport is Sssssssooooo cute!” View larger versions of these photos, and more, at Dreamscape’s TCRII Gallery. (Huge thanks to Angus Turner)
Pop star Gareth Gates and former punk singer Toyah Willcox headline the Marlowe Theatre’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty.
Gareth will play Prince Charming to leading lady Faye Brooks who played Elle in the UK tour of Legally Blonde, while Toyah takes up the role of the Wicked Fairy. They will be joined by Katrina Bryan, Nina in CBeebies children’s series Nina and the Neurons, and Margate-born comedian Lloyd Hollett who has supported Jim Davidson on his UK tour.
• Continue reading at This is Kent.
I mentioned earlier in the year that Kylie seemed to be channeling her inner Toyah with this image. Thanks to Andi for this collection of photos which reinforces this further, and also for inventing “Toylie” – Copyright that name Andi ;)
Great footage of Toyah onstage at Islington Academy, London, last Saturday performing ‘Good Morning Universe’. Click below to view at You Tube. (Thanks to Damon King)
• More TCRII footage: Creepy Room at Glasgow’s Classic Grand (12th Oct – Thanks to Sharon Dickson) and It’s A Mystery at Islington Academy (20th Oct – Thanks again to Damon)
A new Toyah interview from the Dorset Echo.
Three decades after diminutive singer Toyah burst on to the mainstream with her crazy hair, post-punk outfits and strong, often mysterious, songs, she is back. Tonight Toyah is appearing at Bridport’s Electric Palace to perform all of her 1982 album The Changeling as well as songs from the live Warrior Rock album from the same year.
Changeling is credited as the album that gave the Goth movement a kick-start and although Goth music and style of dress is unfortunately much derided these days, Toyah is a staunch defender of the black nail varnish and velvet brigade.
“I won’t hear anything against Goths. A few years ago I toured with a musical called Vampires Rock and it had a massive support from people into Gothic music.”
• Continue reading at the Dorset Echo.
I know everyone is probably thoroughly bored with my mock Toyah adverts and Photoshopping of various other classic Toyah photos… but here’s another two anyway :)
• The Changeling Resurrection II at Islington Academy: ‘Danced’ at You Tube. (Thanks to Damon King)
• This is South Wales: Eighties is inspiration for Swansea DJ: A Swansea DJ is turning the tables to become the pop stars she plays on the radio in her new one woman show. In the show, Helen pays tribute to the rebellious female icons of the 1980s including Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, Toyah Willcox, Hazel O’Connor, Annie Lennox and Cyndi Lauper.
• Friday Focus: John Stephenson Interview with Toyah Willcox: Toyah’s ‘Radio Verulam’ interview from last December is now available to listen to at Soundcloud.
• Dark Derek’s Deluge: Toyah & Guests 17th December 1981: Toyah on the Good Morning Universe: European Tour.
• The Ebony Tower: Richard Rodney Bennett: Film Music Pt. 11.
There’s a trio of great photos of Toyah at Giving To George’s.
Television presenter, singer and actress Toyah Willcox officially opened a new children’s art exhibition at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, on Friday, 19th October.
The exhibition, which is sponsored by Bedford Hill Gallery in Battersea, is a collection of paintings donated by children in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Continue reading at Giving To George’s.
The Spring 2013 dates for the UK Tour of Hormonal Housewives, starring Toyah, have just been added to the HH website.
There are visits to: Bromley, Brighton, Birmingham, Southport, Woking, Crawley, Swansea, Barnstaple, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Guildford, Liverpool, Wimbledon, Epsom, Manchester, Oxford & Glasgow. (Thanks to Rob Cope)
It looks like Toyah and the Sleeping Beauty cast will be lighting up a lot of lives this Christmas, with not one, not two, but three Christmas Lights switch ons. In Herne Bay (16 Nov/5pm), and Deal (22 Nov/7.30pm) and Dover (24 Nov/5.30pm).
Dover Locals: Christmas starts in Dover the 24th November this year as the Town Council are hosting the annual Christmas Switch-on event: The light switch on will take place at 5.30pm in the Market Square with the Mayor of Dover being supported by the cast of the Marlowe Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty who include amongst others; Gareth Gates, Toyah Willcox and star of the west end, Faye Brookes.
Visit Canterbury: Christmas Lights Switch On at Herne Bay (Fri 16th Nov): Christmas Lights switch on with live music and the stars from the Marlowe Panto Sleeping Beauty. The event starts at 4pm, Christmas light switch on at 5pm.
Herne Bay TP: Panto Stars to Switch On the Herne Bay Lights: The stars for the Marlowe Panto, Sleeping Beauty, including Gareth Gates and Toyah will be switching on Herne Bay Christmas Lights,on Friday 16 November 2012.
• Browse all of our Sleeping Beauty at The Marlowe Theatre 2012 news.
A, low quality, mini-gallery of previously unseen Toyah photos from 1979. Great shots!
