Derek Jarman’s punk-inflected “Jubilee” (1978), adapted by Chris Goode, opens at the Lyric Theater here on Thursday after earning rave reviews at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
• Continue reading at The New York Times.
On Valentine’s Day 1981, the Four From Toyah EP entered the UK Top 40 singles chart. It would rise to a peak position of 4 and after many years of frequenting the Indie Charts would be the first of Toyah’s singles to cross into the mainstream. (Image © Official Toyah)
Click below to view Dreamscape’s 2011 30th Anniversary feature on the iconic EP, and browse our sporadic Four From Toyah news posts – from 2012 onwards (go further back in time at our News Archive).
The year 2018 is one which includes several momentous milestones for Toyah. This includes her 60th birthday and the 40th anniversary of her music career as Toyah recorded her first studio demos with Joel Bogen in 1978. Stay tuned to Toyah’s official site, instagram, Twitter & Facebook for regular virtual slices of birthday cake!
Read Toyah’s Blog for February 2018 at toyahwillcox.com.
The BFI have announced details of a long-awaited collection of the films of Derek Jarman, to be released on Blu-Ray this spring. Jarman Volume One: 1972-1986 will be a limited-edition, five disc box set, available from 26th March 2018 – more info/pre-order at Amazon.
Derek Jarman Volume One: 1972-1986
5-disc Limited Edition Blu-ray box set
Jarman’s multi-faceted work is inspirational in its fearlessness, yet remains touchingly personal. The dynamism of these features evokes comparison with the bold romanticism of directors like Ken Russell (an early champion) and Michael Powell, as well as artists Paul Nash and John Piper. But Jarman was also a subversive force in film. Beginning with his psychedelic debut feature, In the Shadow of the Sun (1972-1974), then came the provocative Jubilee (1978), the evocative Shakespeare adaptation The Tempest (1979) and The Angelic Conversation (1985), in which he invoked Elizabethan occultist Dr John Dee and explored alchemical imagery, a subject in which he was well versed. In Sebastiane (1976) and Caravaggio (1986) he revived key gay and homo-erotic figures from the past with edgy and unmistakable style.
Derek Jarman’s first six feature films have all been newly scanned at 2K from original film elements and are presented in this lavish box set alongside an exciting array of new and archival extras drawn from Jarman’s archive of workbooks and papers held in BFI Special Collections. Newly interviewed exclusively for this box set are some of the people who worked on these films; punk legend Jordan, producer and filmmaker Don Boyd, production designer Christopher Hobbs and artist filmmaker John Scarlett-Davis.
Special Features
• All films presented in High Definition for the first time in the UK
• Sebastiane: A Work in Progress (c.1975): newly remastered from 16mm film elements held by the BFI National Archive, this sadly incomplete early black and white work-print of Sebastiane differs significantly from the finished film. This previously unseen alternate edit assembled in a different order, featuring a different soundtrack was never subtitled or released
• The Making of Sebastiane (Derek Jarman & Hugh Smith, 1975): previously unseen Super 8 footage shot on location in Sardiniai
• Jazz Calendar (1968): a rarely screened documentary record of the 1968 ballet by Frederick Ashton, performed by The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, for which Jarman designed sets and costumes
• Message from the Temple (1981)
• TG: Psychic Rally in Heaven (1981)
• Pirate Tape (WS Burroughs Film) (1982)
• Toyah Willcox: Being Mad (2014); the singer and actress looks back on her role in Jubilee
• Jordan remembers Jubilee (2018): punk icon Jordan looks back on her friendship with Derek Jarman and the making of Jubilee
• Stormy Weather: The Magic Behind The Tempest (2016): Toyah Willcox and Stuart Hopps share their memories of working on Derek Jarman’s 1979 production of The Tempest
• Don Boyd remembers The Tempest (2018): Producer and filmmaker Don Boyd remembers the production, release and critical reception of The Tempest
• A Meeting of Minds: Christopher Hobbs on collaborating with Derek Jarman (2018): production designer Christopher Hobbs looks back on his long and fruitfully creative friendship with Derek Jarman
• Fully illustrated 80-page book with new writing on the film, contemporary reviews and full film credits
• …plus lots more
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Monday 19th February: 5pm
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Tuesday 20th February: 12pm
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Tuesday 24th February: 12pm
Punk. Narrated by Noddy Holder, this eye-opening series turns its attention to the origins of punk music. With Toyah Willcox and DJ Annie Nightingale. (Episode, Series 1, Episode 5)
Grieve The Capital: Derek Jarman’s Jubilee Turns 40
Derek Jarman’s film of visionary alchemy and edgeland punks now tells of a time before the gentrification of the capital when occulture and subculture sat side-by-side, says Adam Scovell
Released in Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee year of 1978 as a provocation seemingly towards just about everyone, it’s little wonder Derek Jarman’s second feature film, Jubilee, caused such an uproar. The Queen herself is mugged and killed for her crown early on in a Deptford edgeland, the punk movement still then raging over London is unconsciously sent up by some of the very people who were part of it, and the raw mixture of violence, conservative nostalgia, swipes at Catholicism and copious nudity makes it as anarchic as anything the director made afterwards.
Amongst this incredibly heady concoction of both successful and failed attempts at creating a feasible narrative world, however, sits something far more essential; a time-capsule of a period in London’s history when subcultures grew overtly and naturally due to the city’s many affordable, derelict areas.
The film begins with Elizabeth I (Jenny Runacre) and her alchemist, Dr. John Dee (Richard O’Brien), who conjures forth Ariel (David Brandon), William Shakespeare’s magical being from The Tempest. Thanks to Ariel’s powers imbued into a crystal, the trio travel forward through the cascading years, from the sixteenth-century to a brutal, dystopian vision of 1970s London. The city is ravaged but alive, the streets housing violent groups of punk girl-gangs who fend off police harassment and cause mayhem. Prams are burning and people are killed whilst bands, including Adam And The Ants and Siouxsie And The Banshees, play endlessly on television. Ritual violence is spreading as is this new form of music, ready to be co-opted by financial maniacs to sell to a brainwashed youth; providing further wealth to buy up the newly empty Buckingham Palace and turn it into a recording studio. The film is perhaps more famous for its string of cameos: Adam Ant, The Slits smashing up a car, Toyah Willcox playing Mad and too many others to name. But it’s more than the sum of its pop-culture reference points.
• Continue reading at The Quietus.
Toyah Willcox and Islington Council commemorate Derek Jarman at his old flat in Liverpool Road
Much-loved artist, film director and LGBT activist Derek Jarman has been commemorated at his old flat in 60, Liverpool Road.
Mr Jarman, who died in 1994, was renowned for directing films such as Sebastiane (1976). He was also instrumental in the campaign to lower the age of consent for homosexuals, and esteemed for speaking so openly about being HIV-positive.
He lived at number 60 between 1967 and 1969 in a top floor studio. It was here where he worked on artwork and costumes for Sadler’s Wells Opera’s production of Don Giovanni in 1968.
Yesterday, Islington Council held a plaque ceremony commemorating his time there to coincide with the start of LGBT month. It was unveiled by actress and singer Toyah Willcox, a friend of Mr Jarman’s who worked with him on the film Jubilee (1978).
• Continue reading at the Islington Gazette.
Toyah unveils plaque to ‘Jubilee’ film director and LGBT activist Derek Jarman
A plaque has been unveiled marking the former residence of the artist, film director and activist Derek Jarman.
An outspoken campaigner for gay rights and HIV/Aids awareness, Jarman is renowned for directing films such as Sebastiane in 1976 and Jubilee in 1978, now adapted into a stage play.
Actress and singer Toyah Willcox, who made her screen debut in the original Jubilee film 40 years ago, was given the honours of unveiling the plaque yesterday (Thursday) at 60 Liverpool Road, where Jarman lived from 1967-69.
Toyah told the Tribune: “In the past 50 years gay politics has come along in leaps and bounds. It has developed into gender fluidity and trans fluidity which weren’t so defined or certainly weren’t public 40 years ago.
“All of us flourish in good, strong communities and one of the blessings of Derek’s life was he had a good community around him. But, it had to be a secret community because of the restrictions on being openly gay back then. What Jubilee addresses today is Derek’s collage of images, colours and ideas but the politics are brought up to date by young actors who are gender fluid and know what it’s like to live in a straight cis world.”
• Continue reading at the Islington Gazette.
Toyah Willcox on the stage version of Derek Jarman’s controversial film “Jubilee” and actress Daniella Isaacs on her show about our obsession with raw food – Listen at BBC iPlayer by clicking below. (Photo © BBC)
Top Of The Pops: 1981: BBC Four: Thursday 8th February: 0.50am
26.11.1981: Mike Read presents the pop chart show, first broadcast on 26 November 1981. Includes appearances by Kim Wilde, Jets, Toyah, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire, Cliff Richard, Ultravox, and Queen and David Bowie.
Top Of The Pops: 1981: BBC Four: Tuesday 6th February: 1am
15/10/1981. David ‘Kid’ Jensen presents the TOTP hits of the week, first broadcast on 15 October 1981. Includes appearances from BA Robertson & Maggie Bell, Squeeze, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, This Year’s Blonde, Toyah, the Creatures and Bad Manners. Also includes a dance sequence by Legs & Co. (NB: Toyah’s appearance is via the TITM video)
Singer and actress Toyah Willcox will be the star guest at a charity event at the New Vic Theatre
Toyah Willcox will be the guest performer at a fund-raising 80s night.
Newcastle-based engineering firm KMF has organised the event, which is being staged at The New Vic Theatre. Eric’s 80s Night on Monday, March 19 will include an 80s band led by David Graham as Eric followed by a performance by Toyah.
Dressing up in 80s costumes is encouraged and there will be a raffle and auction. VIP tickets are available for a meet and greet with Toyah.
• Continue reading at The Sentinel. Browse Toyah’s 2018 Gig Diary at toyahwillcox.com for all confirmed dates.
KMF present a Fundraising Concert: Eric’s ’80s Night with Special Guest Toyah Willcox
KMF Group invites you to join us for a night of some of the best hits of the ’80s with New Vic Favourite, Eric (David Graham) and very special guest, Toyah Willcox!
This evening is a fundraising event in aid of Donna Louise, DougieMac and the New Vic Theatre.
Dress to impress (for the ’80s) Evening includes a mega raffle & auction
SPECIAL VIP TICKET AVAILABLE: £50: With our special VIP ticket, join us pre-show in our Lounge for drinks & nibbles, and the chance to meet Toyah Willcox.
• Further info/Book tickets here. Browse Toyah’s 2018 Gig Diary at toyahwillcox.com for all confirmed dates.
Toyah will be a guest of Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 70s on Sunday 11 February. Toyah will discuss the beginnings of her career in the 1970s and revisiting the Derek Jarman film Jubilee which has been adapted for the stage and plays London’s Lyric Hammersmith this Spring.
Sounds Of The 70s: BBC Radio 2: Sunday 11th February: 3pm
Sounds Of The 70s: BBC Radio 2: Tuesday 13th February: 0.00am
Toyah shares her memories of growing up as the ‘only punk in the village’ and finally finding her people at a Sex Pistols gig.
Coming Soon to BBC Radio 4 – Toyah in conversation with Alice Lowe. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
Top Of The Pops: 1981: BBC Four: Thursday 1st February: 1.40am
01/10/81. Mike Read introduces the pop programme. Includes appearances from Godley & Creme (Under Your Thumb), Sheena Easton (Just Another Broken Heart), The Teardrop Explodes (Passionate Friend), The Creatures (Mad Eyed Screamer), Ottawan (Hands Up [Give Me Your Heart]), Toyah (Thunder In The Mountains), Bad Manners (Walking In The Sunshine), Altered Images (Happy Birthday), Dollar (Hand Held In Black & White), Adam & The Ants (Prince Charming).
Lies We Tell, Mitu Misra’s gritty Britflick starring Gabriel Byrne, Harvey Keitel, Mark Addy, Nicholas Farrell, Gina McKee, Toyah Willcox, Emily Atack, Sibylla Deen and Jan Uddin will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 2nd February 2018.
• Click on the promo poster below to view the trailer. Browse all of our Lies We Tell news here.
Toyah Willcox webchat – your questions answered on punk, rabbits and fighting for her back catalogue
The singer and actor, who is starring in a stage version of Derek Jarman’s Jubilee, on her bucket list, how she’d explain punk to aliens and what she’d like for her 60th birthday
This has been great fun! It’s enlightening to hear your questions. Thank you so much for your time. Let’s do it again! And come and see Jubilee at the Lyric Hammersmith from 15 Feb to 10 March. Be prepared to be offended, to laugh til you hurt, to shed tears at the sheer brilliance and beauty of it.
• Continue reading at The Guardian.
Jubilee: London Live: Monday 29th January: 2.30am
Jubilee: London Live: Wednesday 31st January: 2am
Queen Elizabeth I travels through time from 1578 to 1978, where she sees what has become of her once glorious kingdom: law and order have broken down and punks roam the streets. Director: Derek Jarman. Starring: Jenny Runacre, Nell Campbell, Toyah Willcox, Hermine Demoriane, Ian Charleson, Karl Johnson.
NB: London Live is available on: Freeview 8, Sky 117, Virgin 159, YouView 8.
Dreamscape’s Toyah news for the last 12 months has now been added to our News Archive.
