The Official Toyah newsletter – Breaking Through – recently revealed details of a new digital single release entitled 9 Hours which is astonishingly Toyah’s first ever real duet…. if we discount the Cabaret musical song Money, Money recorded with Nigel Planer in 1996.
The single is a collaboration with Peter Coyle of New Wave band The Lotus Eaters who also wrote the track. It will being released under the name Toyah & Peter (at Peter’s request) and will be released in early August 2017.
Toyah played a mind-boggling FOUR gigs over the weekend – Wellowfest 2017, Let’s Rock London, Party in the Park Dunstable and Party in the Park Cookley – Below is a press report on Wellowfest and check out Toyah’s Twitterfor direct updates from the incredibly busy lady herself!
Wellowfest: Big names and local acts mix for village festival
More than 40 bands and singers will perform over three days at the annual Wellowfest music festival this weekend. They include headliners Hazel O’Connor, Toyah Willcox and The Blockheads.
It takes place at Chapel Farm, Wellow, from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday. The festival, launched in 2014, covers a wide range of genres, including pop, punk, country and 1980s classics.
The organisers said: “In its fourth year of running, Wellowfest maintains its roots as a family-friendly festival with a chilled out and relaxing vibe. Kick back and enjoy the best of the English countryside while listening to an eclectic mix of sounds.”
Punk princess Toyah lights up village music festival
Eighties punk star Toyah Willcox topped the bill at a village festival near Marlborough that attracted music lovers all the way from London.
Families picnicked, children played games and locals caught up with the gossip as laid-back MantonFest treated them to a day of music that featured an international tribute act Creedence Clearwater Revived and sets by bands like Josie and the Outlaw, The Clive Collective and local outfit Barrelhouse, who this week reached number 20 in the blues charts.
One of the organisers, Roger Grant, said he thought the event was the best yet. “All through the day there was just such a happy atmosphere. It was absolutely unbelievable.”
Quadrophenia: Sky Select HD: Tuesday 25th July: 9.55am
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.
It was a show billed as classics, hits and anthems and with a full band behind her the pint-sized punk princess Toyah delivered them all with aplomb.
Of late, many of Toyah’s live appearances have been acoustic evenings where stories from her career have shared the stage with re-worked versions of her songs.
Enjoyable they may be, but this was a night of 100 per cent full-on Toyah with swirling synths, pounding drums and howling guitar.
Somehow she’s 59, but looks amazing and her energy on a sweaty Saturday night in Blackburn never once faltered.
Jubilee: London Live: Monday 3rd July: 10pm
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.
Quadrophenia: Sky Greats HD: Friday 30th June: 3.20am Quadrophenia: Sky Select HD: Sunday 2nd July: 7.05am Quadrophenia: Sky Greats HD: Wednesday 5th July: 2.20pm Quadrophenia: Sky Greats HD: Thursday 6th July: 1.30am Quadrophenia: Sky Select HD: Friday 7th July: 2.05pm
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.
Jubilee: London Live: Monday 26th June: 1.05am
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.
Derek Jarman’s punk classic Jubilee to be reignited on stage
Toyah Willcox plays the time-travelling Elizabeth I in the Royal Exchange’s version of the film that caused outrage after 1977’s silver jubilee
Derek Jarman’s anarchic punk film Jubilee is to be adapted for the stage with a cast including Toyah Willcox who made her screen debut in the original version 40 years ago. Willcox played the cackling pyromaniac Mad, a member of a girl gang whose fights, orgies and random acts of cruelty are witnessed by Queen Elizabeth I when she is magically transported to the 1970s. The new stage version, which will open at Manchester’s Royal Exchange theatre this November, casts Willcox in the role of the time-travelling queen.
“At the time it was made, it was utterly outrageous,” says Willcox of the film, which she describes as the tale of “women who are trying to kind of kill everything that controls them or that has exploited them. It’s a very resonant story today. Nothing’s changed except the technology.” The stage version will be firmly set in the modern day, with the script updated throughout the show’s run to acknowledge current events.
“If there’s something noteworthy in the news at 1pm, hopefully you’ll be hearing a reference to it in the show in the evening,” says Chris Goode, the show’s director. Goode, who first saw Jarman’s film as a teenager and has been influenced by the DIY punk ethos throughout his theatre career, added: “We didn’t want our version to be an exercise in nostalgia. Part of the impulse was thinking about where punk is at now.”
Toyah Willcox in Jubilee and the return of Julie Hesmondhalgh among highlights of Royal Exchange Theatre’s new season of shows
Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre reveals an exciting mix of plays for its Autumn/Winter season
80s pop icon Toyah Willcox will play Queen Elizabeth I as she makes her Royal Exchange Theatre debut in Jubilee, part of the striking new programme of shows for the Autumn/Winter season announced by the Manchester venue.
Toyah will star in the theatre adaptation of Derek Jarman’s punk cult classic movie Jubilee, a film she originally starred in as the character Mad in 1978.
She will now take on the role of Queen Elizabeth I, who is transported into a shattered modern Britain in the story adapted by Chris Goode who makes his exchange debut as new associate artist.
Chris Goode is to adapt Derek Jarman’s cult film Jubilee for the stage at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
The production will take place as the film marks its 40th anniversary, and will star original film cast member Toyah Willcox. Goode, who joins the Royal Exchange as an associate artist, will adapt and direct Jubilee. It premieres from November 2 to 18, with press night on November 7.
Goode described the project as “brilliantly daunting and irresistible”, adding: “Derek Jarman has been a hero to me for 25 years and the opportunity to stage a brand new adaptation of one of his most iconic films with one of the country’s most iconic theatres is mind-blowing and heart racing in equal measure.”
“Under Sarah Frankcom’s visionary leadership the Royal Exchange continues to consolidate its position as a boldly risk-taking and boundary-exploding venue where we get to come together and talk about the biggest questions of our age in the most exciting ways we can imagine. At a time when dialogue and dissidence feel more precious than ever, I want Jubilee to be a celebration of the energy of our anger and our hope.”
Manchester Royal Exchange announces autumn 2017 season
The season includes an adaptation of the film Jubilee and two plays by Bruntwood Prize winners
From 2 to 18 November, the theatre will stage the world premiere of Jubilee, Chris Goode’s stage adaptation of Derek Jarman’s 1978 film. Original cast member from the film Toyah Willcox will front the production, which is updated for the political and social scene of 2017.
Toyah Willcox ‘up close and personal’ for Gib Music Week
Toyah Willcox will be the first artist to perform as part of the extended MTV Gib Calling festival. The legendary Wilcox, whose career has spanned several decades will kick off Gibraltar Music Week in an ‘up close and personal show’ in St Michael’s Cave on Tuesday 29 August. She will be supported by very popular local band and winners of this year’s Gibraltar Song Festival, Jetstream.
Willcox has13 Top-10 singles under her belt and the organisers believe she is the perfect candidate to start the busy week in music in Gibraltar. Aside from her success in music, is also quite an accomplished actress and has worked with Derek Jarman twice in the movies ‘Jubilee’ and ‘The Tempest’. More recently Toyah starred in the hit British film ‘Ahhhhhhhh!’ directed by Steve Oram and co-starring Julian Rhind-Tutt, Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt.
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Saturday 17th June: 5.30pm Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Sunday 18th June: 8.30am Blue Marigold. Series 5, Episode 1. Dropped by her agency for her diva-like behaviour, supermodel Marigold’s mental health deteriorates. Years later, she plots a comeback. Director: Giles Foster. Starring: Toyah Willcox, Ralph Bates, Sharon Duce, Helen Fraser, Billy Hamon, Edward Jewesbury.
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Tuesday 20th June: 4pm New Romantics. Toyah Willcox and Billy Bragg are among those examining the New Romantic movement, from The Human League and Adam Ant, to David Bowie and Ultravox. (Series 1, Episode 16)
Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Home: Wednesday 14th June: 10pm
Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.
In exactly one month’s time Toyah co-headlines, along with Creedence Clearwater Revived, MantonFest 2017. The one day event is taking place at Manton Grange Watermeadow in Manton
This year’s charity fundraising music festival is on Saturday 1st July at Manton Grange Watermeadow, Marlborough, Wiltshire.
All proceeds from this year’s event will be directed into much needed structural improvements needed at Manton Village Hall. The hall plays a pivotal role in the local community and hosts activities for young and old alike. Thank you for your support!
In this lively and energetic festival set with Toyah’s full live electric band you can expect to hear hit singles Good Morning Universe, Thunder In The Mountains, It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free, Brave New World and Rebel Run.
The Official Toyah newsletter – Breaking Through – recently revealed details of a new digital single release entitled 9 Hours which is astonishingly Toyah’s first ever real duet…. if we discount the Cabaret musical song Money, Money recorded with Nigel Planer in 1996.
