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Watch the Sky Arts Quadrophenia Night launch trailer…

Quadrophenia at 40: Stars reminisce about the film for ‘every generation’

Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox and other stars of Quadrophenia speak to Sky News about the film’s 40th anniversary.

Released in 1979 and loosely based on The Who’s album of the same name, Quadrophenia’s coming-of-age tale of a young mod is very much a cult classic. Forty years on, a new documentary for Sky Arts, Quadrophenia – Our Generation, explores the style of filmmaking and the movie’s themes.

But for the cast, who reunited at a screening for the documentary, the film’s wider impact could never have been predicted.

… Toyah Willcox, who played Monkey in the film, says it was emotional to look back at when it was being made. “You’re just thinking, ‘my God, it was so special’,” she says. “It was such an opportunity and a privilege because we were treated as serious actors at a time when we could have been treated very differently. “So watching the documentary, I just thought, ‘wow, I’m just so pleased that was in my life’.”

• Continue reading at Sky News. (Photo © Sky Arts)

Quadrophenia‘s big anniversary weekend on Sky Arts is fast approaching. Here are a couple of very recent Quad related photos – At London Film Fair on Sunday, and a great shot of four of the legendary cast! Thanks to Paul. (Photos © Toyah Willcox and Gary Shail)

Toyah Willcox didn’t realise feminist aspect of Quadrophenia but now calls movie ‘liberating’

Toyah Willcox didn’t realise the feminist aspect of Quadrophenia while filming the cult classic. The 61-year-old played Monkey in the 1979 hit – a party animal who was in control of her sex life as well as being a constant supplier of drugs to her friends.

When chatting to Metro.co.uk, the star reflected on the character and how liberating it was to play her. She told us: ‘At the time I wasn’t aware of the feminist aspects of it. It was quite a schizophrenic time. I got signed to a record label was working on another movie, then working on Quadrophenia.’ She laughed: ‘Everything was going absolutely ballistic.’

• Continue reading at the Metro.

Quadrophenia: Our Generation – Sky Arts
Airs at 9:00pm on Saturday 21 September 2019

Quadrophenia: Our Generation sees Phil Daniels, Sting, Toyah Willcox, Leslie Ash and the rest of the cast look back at a definitive British film of 40 years ago.

A weekend of programming to mark the 40th anniversary of cult movie Quadrophenia includes Quadrophenia: Our Generation, an excellent documentary in which first-time director Franc Roddam and cast members Sting, Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox and Ray Winstone share memories of making the film.

There are some great anecdotes – including a phone call to Malcolm McLaren about the possibility of the Sex Pistols’ John Lydon starring as Jimmy (the scooter-riding Mod eventually played by Phil Daniels), and The Who’s late drummer Keith Moon asking to co-direct – plus an interesting history of the Mod movement.

• Continue reading at What’s on TV.

Quadrophenia cast threatened strike as Trevor Laird ‘couldn’t be seen with white girl’

The cast of Quadrophenia are currently celebrating the cult film’s 40th anniversary. But while the classic was progressive for its time, it turns out the movie could have been a whole lot more radical. Opening up on what went down behind the scenes, Trevor Laird, who played Ferdy, recalled the moment he was told he couldn’t be seen with a white girl.

Yes, that actually happened.

… Toyah Willcox who was sat next to Trev and played Monkey in the 1979 movie, chirped up: “I don’t know if you know, but we talked about going on strike because of that. All these walls were being knocked down, and here we were having to keep to a really bad tradition.”

• Continue reading at the Metro.

Quadrophenia cast speak of ‘no star treatment’ received on set 40 years ago

They endured freezing weather while shooting on location in Brighton and didn’t even get dressing rooms

There was no star treatment for the cast of classic Mod movie Quadrophenia 40 years ago. They endured freezing weather while shooting on location in Brighton and didn’t even get dressing rooms.

Ahead of the anniversary, Leslie Ash, 59, said of filming: “There were no Winnebagos or anything fancy like that. We had to huddle together to keep warm. We’d sit in people’s cars or in shop doorways between scenes. No-one could say, ‘I’m going off to my trailer’. I think that’s why we all got on so well.”

Toyah Willcox, 61, added: “We were wet the whole time. It was freezing. Half the time we were stood on street corners.”

The cast didn’t even get a hefty pay packet despite the film’s big budget. Director Franc Roddam, 73, said: “I wasn’t being paid very much and nor were the cast.” Phil Davis, 66, added: “It wasn’t about the money. There was such a buzz about this film.”

• Continue reading at the Daily Star.

The full schedule for Sky Arts’ special evening of celebration for the 40th Anniversary of Quadrophenia has just been made available – *Updated* with further air dates and times!

Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts:
Saturday 21st September: 9pm
Monday 23rd September: 1.45am
Wednesday 25th September: 10.30pm
Celebrity fans and cast members come together to shed light on the making of Quadrophenia and explore the legacy that the cult film has left behind, 40 years after its release.

Quadrophenia Reunited – 40 Years On: Sky Arts:
Saturday 21st September: 10pm
Monday 23rd September: 0.15am
Wednesday 25th September: 9pm
Lauren Laverne hosts a one-off special bringing the stars of Quadrophenia together. Featuring reminiscing, interviews, a table-read of the script and plenty of other surprises.

Quadrophenia: Sky Arts: Saturday 21st September: 11.30pm
Quadrophenia: Sky Arts: Sunday 22nd September: 10pm
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper.

Toyah will appear at the London Film Fair on Sunday 15th September 2019, alongside many of the actors from Quadrophenia.

The Film Fair will be held at the Congress Centre (Great Russell Street, WC1B 3UB)

The London Film Fair will appeal to avid film buffs, collectors, archivists researchers and students. A must for anyone with an interest in cinema and cult television!

• Further info at the London Film Fair website. (Thanks to Graham Bashford) – See our previous news on this here.

Quadrophenia Our Generation: Sky Arts: Saturday 21st September: Time TBC
A new documentary, marking the 40th anniversary of Quadrophenia. Includes a recording of the live read through with the cast in which Toyah participated.

Quadrophenia cast spill BTS antics as they reunite to celebrate 40 years of cult film

The cast of Quadrophenia have reunited to celebrate 40 years since the cult movie was released. And what an evening it was.

Returning to Shepherds Bush, where the much-loved classic was filmed, the likes of Leslie Ash (Steph), Garry Cooper (Peter), Phil Daniels (Jimmy) and Toyah Willcox (Monkey) joined Lauren Laverne to talk all things mod. Phil Davis (Chalky), Trevor Laird (Ferdy), Gary Shail (Spider) and Mark Winget (Dave) were also in attendance to discuss the key themes of the plot, as well as spilling a number of backstage antics.

• Continue reading at the Metro. (Photo © Metro/Joe Newman/PinPep)

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of one of Britain’s greatest cult movies, Sky Arts presents one-off night brings the stars of Quadrophenia together on stage for a unique table read. Hosted by Lauren Laverne it will also feature a series of interviews with the cast, some special surprises and an audience Q&A.

Sunday 14 July 2019 | Shepherd’s Bush O2 Empire

The event will be filmed for a special TV broadcast. Click below to book tickets.

Gary Shail Brings You Quadrophenia 40th Birthday Party

We are delighted to announce that our latest confirmed guest for Quad 40 is the fantastic Toyah Willcox who played the part of Monkey. Toyah joins Gary Shail, Trevor Laird, Leslie Ash and Carol Harrison (so far!) confirmed names – with more to follow!

2019 is the 40th anniversary of the movie Quadrophenia. The 25th August heralds the biggest single collection of cast and crew to celebrate this seminal movie. Gary Shail ( Spider) is proud to present the ultimate “Quadrophenia Experience” at Brighton’s Palace Pier.

• Further info/Book tickets at the Quad 40 website. (Thanks to Layne Patterson)

Full details of the VIP Passes for Quadrophenia at 40 – taking place at Cov Con (Coventry Comic Con) in September – have been made available.

We are really excited to be able to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the 1979 release of Quadrophenia!

Join us and meet cast members from the film. Grab an autograph or take part in our amazing Quadrophenia cast group photoshoot. There is also a free Q&A session with the Quad guests which is not to be missed!

Entry costs just £10 to get into the show and you can then choose if you want to purchase autographs, photoshoots, selfies etc.

We also sell optional VIP passes which give you extra discount on buying stuff individually. The following VIP passes will be available to purchase on Saturday 30th March from 10am on our website:

Hell on Wheels – Save at least £20 on the full set of Quadrophenia guest autographs and receive a limited edition show lanyard with VIP pass. You can either bring your own item to be signed or use one of our cast group 10″ x 8″ photos for signing. Event entry is not included in the pass. Price is £70 and only 50 will be available.

Bell Boy – As Hell on Wheels but in addition you also get the meet/greet group photoshoot with the Quadrophenia guests. The photoshoot will include the Ace Face replica scooter that you can sit on with the guests around you for an amazing picture! Event entry is not included in the pass. Price is £160 and only 20 will be available.

We Are The Mods – In addition to Hell on Wheels you also get selfies with all our Quadrophenia guests, early entry into the event from 9am and a queue jump pass which will get you to the front of any guest queue (including non Quad guests). Early event entry is included in this pass. Price £250 and only 10 available.

A Way of Life – All the benefits of the We Are The Mods pass but you also get a meet/greet photo shoot with all individual Quad guests and reserved front row seating for the Quad Q&A. Early event entry is included in this pass. Price is £400 and only 5 are available.

The Real Me – Our ultimate VIP pass! Get all the benefits of our Way of Life pass and you also get a limited edition 14″ x 12″ print signed by all our Quad guests, a personal birthday/Christmas card from Toyah, green room access with food and drink available throughout the day, a hotel room on Friday 27th in the same hotel as our guests, safe luggage space at the venue, a personal assistant to help you meet guests and plan your day and private transport laid on from/to railway station, hotel and venue. Early event entry is included in this pass. Price is £800 and only 3 are available.

• Continue reading for further details of the VIP Passes at coventrycomiccom.com.

Square Chapel Arts Centre last night tweeted: “We love Toyah. What an inspirational person” following their 40th Anniversary screening of Quadrophenia, Toyah’s post-film Q&A session and an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal performance at the Halifax venue. See more tweets and photos from yesterday’s events by clicking below. (Photos © Square Chapel Arts Centre)

Toyah in Halifax to mark Quadrophenia’s 40th anniversary

Stage, screen and music star Toyah Willcox will be in Halifax on Saturday (February 16) for an exclusive 40th anniversary screening of the mod classic Quadrophenia. Toyah, who plays Monkey in the film version of The Who’s rock opera, will also take part in a Q&A at Square Chapel arts centre, talk about the movie and her career in music – and perform a live acoustic gig with her band.

The cult classic film also starred Sting, Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash and Ray Winstone at the start of their careers with the action set in Brighton during clashes between rival gangs of Mods and Rockers. The film will be shown at 6pm, followed by the live Q&A hosted by radio presenter Alex Cann. Following that will be Toyah’s live set at 9pm. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of her music career as she released her first single and album in 1979.

This acoustic concert will include hit singles, album classics and fan favourites.The Q&A has sold out but there are still a handful of tickets left for Toyah’s live set. Go to www.squarechapel.co.uk for more information and booking.

• Continue reading at the Halifax Courier.

Quadrophenia is being screened at the University of West London on Friday, by Ealing Classic Cinema Club, as part of Ealing Music & Film Festival 2019.

The Festival will take place from 13th–17th February 2019 with both free and paid for events happening across Ealing at venues including the University of West London, St Barnabas Church, The Brentham Club, St Mary’s Church and The Met Film School.

On the evening of 15 February, 7pm at Weston Hall, University of West London, we are delighted to announce a screening in association with Ealing Classic Cinema Club of the iconic 1979 film Quadrophenia from Pete Townshend and Franc Roddam starring Sting, Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash and Toyah Willcox, with music by The Who.

• See further info at Ealing Music & Film Festival 2019.

There are loads of unmissable events in Yorkshire this weekend – Wondering what’s on in Yorkshire this weekend? We’ve rounded it up, all in one place…

There are plenty of things to get stuck into this weekend in Yorkshire. As legendary mod film Quadrophenia turns 40, Square Chapel in Halifax will not only screen the film but invite singer and actress Toyah Willcox to tell you about her experiences behind the scenes, with a live Q&A and music.

• Continue reading at Leeds List. (NB: Leeds List have the date for this as Friday 15th. The screening and Toyah’s gig take place on Saturday 16th!) Tickets for the gig are available here.

Toyah’s Q&A at Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax has now Sold Out!

Some tickets for Toyah’s Acoustic, Up Close & Personal gig, taking place after the film screening/Q&A on Saturday 16th February, are still available.

Quadrophenia plus a Q&A and live music with Toyah Willcox

Here’s a brilliant evening’s entertainment with not only an anniversary screening of iconic movie Quadrophenia, but a Q&A with one of its stars, the legendary Toyah Willcox and a live music set with her too. Toyah who went on to be a music, film and TV star and an author played the character Monkey in the 1979 Who album-inspired film which depicts the Mods and Rockers era of the late 1960s and which is celebrating its 40th year. The film will be screened before Toyah takes the stage to talk about the movie and her career at Square Chapel. The film stars Phil Daniels as Jimmy, a young 1960s London-based Mod who escapes from his dead-end job as a mailroom boy by dancing, partying, taking amphetamines, riding his scooter, and brawling with the motorcycle-riding Rockers. After he and his friends participate in a huge brawl with the Rockers by the seaside in Brighton, he is arrested and his life starts to spiral out of control. Toyah has had eight Top 40 singles and released over 20 albums, Her biggest hits were “It’s a Mystery”, “Thunder in the Mountains” and “I Want to Be Free”.  She has written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films.

• Further info, and ticket booking for Toyah’s acoustic gig, available here.

• Matches Fashion: Raf Simons ‘Toyah’ graphic-print cotton T-shirt – It an be yours for £265! – Raf Simons’ pink T-shirt is inspired by Toyah Willcox’s character ‘Monkey’ in the film Quadrophenia. The cult item features a bold black graphic print across the front, a ribbed crew-neck loose-fit style. Tap into the label’s current punk aesthetic and style with an oversized leather jacket, maxi skirt and boots – See here…

• Quadrophenia: See Monkey, Jimmy et al on the big screen at the Classic Cinema Club’s screening of Quadrophenia at Ealing Town Hall on 15th February – More info…

• #ToyahLPCountdown: A great new Official Toyah 40th Music Anniversary feature on social media, with entries so far for Sheep Farming in Barnet, The Blue Meaning and Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!

• Lovely’s Vintage Toyah Wardrobe: All Toyah pieces are now half price! The charity sale on behalf of Ms Toyah Willcox ends soon, so shop now! – See here…

• Toyah Live 2019: Toyah’s gig at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on Friday 22nd February has Sold Out!!

• Pop Matters: Jubilee (1978) Retro Review – Derek Jarman’s Jubilee is cagier than its simplistic ‘resist the system’ message suggests – As long as the music’s loud enough, we won’t hear the world falling apart. — Borgia Ginz (Jack Birkett), Jubilee – Continue reading…

• Exclusive Back to the 80’s Concert in Bali: Toyah is playing this concert, which takes place on the 10th day of the cruise to Bali, along with Marc Almond, Belinda Carlisle, T’Pau and Midge Ure. Tickets are already at Limited Availability – More info here…

Quadrophenia: Film 4 HD: Christmas Eve: 1.25am
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone.