Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah appears in Trailblazers Of… Glam Rock on Sky Arts HD tonight. The programme re-airs a number of times over the next week.

Trailblazers Of…: Sky Arts HD: Friday 6th May: 9pm
Trailblazers Of…: Sky Arts HD: Sunday 8th May: 1am/8pm
Trailblazers Of…: Sky Arts HD: Tue 10th May: 3am/Thu 12 May: 0.00am
From the flamboyant clothes to the extravagant make up, Noddy Holder narrates this fascinating look at the evolution of glam rock.

There are a series of monologues of work written by Carl Chetty at You Tube. One Bad Apple, performed by Toyah has recently been uploaded. Twist-in-the-tale. This is the first time Coral Farley has told anyone that she is a victim of domestic violence.

Quadrophenia: Sky Select HD: Wednesday 11th May: 0.00am
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. (Sky Select HD is on Sky Channel 312)

Toyah fan Dan has compiled and uploaded a great video tribute to “Mayhem” at You Tube. The Battersea warehouse is no more, having been demolished late last year.

Directed by Steve Stone, the British film Extremis will be released in 2016 and the official film poster has now been revealed.

Toyah acts in a cameo scene and will also perform a new original song Our Hearts Still Beat (Willcox/Darlow) for the film’s end titles.

A powerful business executive returns home to his family and their lavish lake house for the weekend. Within hours of his return, a cataclysmic event takes place out there in the landscape. The world beyond their garden is now deserted, the skies above them threatening and toxic. But is it the child who is in need of salvation? What is this strange apocalypse? An ecological disaster or a terror attack?

• Continue reading/View a larger version of the Extremis poster at toyahwillcox.com.

Photos from Derek Ridgers’, soon to be published, book Punk London 1977. are included in one of three events on punk all currently taking place in London.

As previously mentioned, an unseen photo of Toyah is included in the book.

Punk was always more than a t-shirt or a piece of loud music: it’s an irrepressible attitude. Throughout 2016, London will host gigs, exhibitions and events to commemorate 40 years of punk’s ongoing influence through fashion, film, photography, design, literature and of course music.

• Browse further info on the events here. There’s also info and photos at UDiscover. Read an interview with Derek Ridgers at Infringe. Ridgers’ photos will also feature at a forthcoming Punk Weekender event, in June.

17. Aaaaaaaah!

Fans of the early John Waters and early Gregg Araki oeuvre may feel right at home with all the vulgarity and body fluids on display in Steve Oram’s Aaaaaaaah! This is adventurous and crude postmodern cinema, and the easily offended need not apply.

Oram displays a ruthless instinct with sadistic lapses into camp and caricature with Aaaaaaaah!, a film hell bent on upsetting the audience in this tale of society’s collapse. In the film the human stock has downgraded, and devolved into grunting, drooling, depraved, inarticulate primitives.

Robbed of the capacity to speak beyond gorilla-like elucidation, chest-beating, and genital-waving, I found the film to enact a Beckett-like scenario but at least half the audience I saw it with thought it was just shit. Their loss.

A winning cast of Brits including Oram, Julian Barrett, Noel Fielding, and Toyah Willcox add street cred to this one-of-a-kind mindfuck. Aaaaaaaah! is a strangely sublime picture, in turns delicate and disorienting, with a Buñuelian bite and a whiff of nasty nihilism, too. You’ll either love it or you’ll hate it but you won’t ever forget it.

• Continue reading at Taste Of Cinema. Browse our Aaaaaaaah! news archive…

How I’m Making an Epic Sci-Fi Movie That Will Change the World. And Why You Should Follow Your Dream Too!

In 2006, UK filmmaker Simon Cox announced to a group of friends that his new movie, Kaleidoscope Man, would be the biggest British indie sci-fi movie of all time – A sweeping statement? Or was it?

After years of trying to get his second movie funded through traditional film industry routes, it was at this moment that Simon made the decision to stop chasing carrots and do whatever needed to be done to achieve his dream; making an epic sci-fi movie that would move and inspire people in the same way the original Star Wars inspired him. But, he was in his 40’s with a young family, broke, feeling washed up and beginning to realise that perhaps Hollywood wasn’t about to come knocking.

Now in 2016, Simon has nearly finished the hugely ambitious Kaleidoscope Man. And its good. In fact, it’s very good. But the road to getting it made has certainly been rocky and full of challenges and the finance to do it has not fallen into his lap.

Come to our fascinating one day seminar and discover from Simon himself just how he and a team of friends have managed to pull off this incredible feat.

• How they convinced 700+ people to run from attacking alien ships in Central Birmingham.

• Built the international space station in a warehouse in Nuneaton (with materials from Wikes DIY store).

• How they convinced 80’s pop icon Toyah Willcox to star in the movie.

• Sent fleets of attacking alien ships flying over Central London.

• Turned Birmingham into a deserted battlefield.

• Got primetime TV coverage on BBC London Tonight.

• Discovered a young illustrator who went from creating images for Kaleidoscope Man to Godzilla, Star Wars the Force Awakes and now Star Wars Rouge One.

• Pulled together over 500+ people to help get the movie made.

You’ll hear amusing anecdotes, see fascinating behind the scenes videos and some exclusive clips from the movie – before anyone else sees them.

Alpha Star Productions
Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (BST)
Birmingham, United Kingdom

• Continue reading at Event Tribe. Chek out the Kaleidoscope Man website for updates and recent behind-the-scenes photos from the film shoots.

• Live 2016: More Toyah dates for this year, including at The Layton, Blackpool. Click below to browse Toyah’s official gig schedule. (Thanks to Tony Ames)

• Braintree & Witham Times: Summer Nights programme brings music to Chelmsford City Racecourse: Music is returning to Chelmsford City Racecourse this summer as part of a three day programme called Summer Nights. The events take place across the 21, 22 and 23 of July at Britain’s newest horse racing venue… Rick Astley, Paul Young and Toyah have teamed up to give people a blast from the past at the gig – Continue reading…

• Vintage TV: Toyah Live At The Water Rats: Available to watch online at the Vintage TV website…

• Twitter: Toyah with her watercolours & Nick Park’s Wallace Gromit all painted in aid of LINC – Visit Twitter…

• BFI: The Tempest: Is showing at the BFI this month. Derek Jarman brings his unique staging, symbolism and flair to Shakespeare’s tale – Continue reading…

Toyah’s blog for May 2016 is available to read at toyahwillcox.com.

PJ Crook, Nick Park and Toyah Willcox donate paintings for Gloucester exhibition in aid of LINC

A star-studded line up of exhibitors including Nick Park, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Toyah Willcox feature in a pop-up exhibition this weekend in Gloucester. The event, at St Michael’s Tower, has been organised by Bishop’s Cleeve artist PJ Crook in aid of LINC.

Nick Park has donated a Wallace & Gromit painting which was created especially for the exhibition.

Toyah Willcox has contributed two watercolours and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who is also a patron of LINC with PJ Crook, has donated a large Caryatid drawing framed in a magnificent gold frame.

The exhibition takes place on Sunday, May 1 and Bank Holiday Monday, from noon until 6pm each day with tea and cakes.

• Continue reading at the Gloucester Citizen.

Toyah was included alongside Blondie, Iggy Pop, Culture Club, Kate Bush, Simon & Garfunkel and a host of music icons in one of the Daily Mail’s daft, and badly photoshopped, photo features yesterday…

Phil Collins broke new ground when he re-released his back catalogue of albums earlier this month — complete with recreations of the classic covers using up-to-date photographs of his face. Collins, 65, seems to have weathered fairly well since he first stormed the charts as a solo artist 35 years ago, barring a few inevitable wrinkles.

So we wondered how some of our other music legends would fare if their albums were given the same treatment. Obviously, the music stands the test of time, but what about their faces…

It’s a mystery: Toyah Willcox, 57, just needs make-up to recapture her eighties look

• Continue reading at the Daily Mail.

Tony Hadley, The Stranglers, Lindisfarne and the SAS Band with Roger Taylor of Queen have been confirmed as headliners for this year’s Wickham Festival.

The Spandau Ballet frontman Tony tops the bill on the opening night on August 4, with The Stranglers and Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam as the main attractions the next day.

Spike’s All Stars Band with a line-up including Queen drummer Roger Taylor, Marillion lead singer Fish, Madeleine Bell and solo artist/actress Toyah Willcox will appear on Saturday. They will be supported by the Trevor Horn Band. Also on the bill are the Oysterband plus Chas & Dave.

Lindisfarne close the four-day event on Sunday with back-up from Steeleye Span, Hayseed Dixie and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Festival organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We are thrilled with this year’s line-up which has something for everyone. It reflects our rapidly-growing reputation locally, nationally and internationally with fans coming from the USA, Canada and Australia. We have a fantastic array of bands who will provide fantastic entertainment.”

• Continue reading at The Portsmouth News. Check out all of Toyah’s confirmed festival appearances for 2016, plus her other upcoming live dates, at toyahwillcox.com.

More airings for Quadrophenia, with two of Sky Movies channels ahowing the classic 1979 film over the coming fortnight.

Quadrophenia: Sky Greats HD: Sunday 1st May: 10pm
Quadrophenia: Sky Select HD: Thursday 5th May: 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. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone. (Sky Greats HD movie channel is on Sky Channel 304 / Sky Select HD is on Sky Channel 312)

Toyah tweeted a photo of herself and longtime collaborator/former Toyah band member, Simon Darlow, this afternoon: “Oooooh fab new track with Simon Darlow“. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Don’t trust that meme: Prince’s death at 57 was no music industry average

After the tragic and untimely death of Prince, an internet meme took flight claiming that the singer died ‘at the average age of death for American pop stars’. This is not really true and, insofar as it contains a germ of truth, it is not useful.

A better way would be to compare people who were born in the same year, but you could only do that once they were all dead. Prince was born in 1958 and died at the age of 57. Barring an outbreak of bubonic plague or an unusually methodical serial killer, it is most unlikely that the average age of death for musicians born in 1958 will turn out to be 57. Other pop stars born in 1958 include Ice-T, Madonna, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Neil Finn (Crowded House), Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), Toyah, Simon Le Bon, Joan Jett, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Nik Kershaw, Belinda Carlisle, Paul Weller, Bill Berry (REM), Mark King (Level 42), Michael Jackson and Andy Gibb (Bee Gees). Of these, only Jackson and Gibb are not still with us. In fact, nearly all of the celebrities born in 1958 are still alive.

• Continue reading at The Spectator (Health).

• Southern Daily Echo: All Star Line-Up Confirmed For Wickham Festival: Spike’s All Stars Band with a line-up which will include Queen drummer Roger Taylor, Marillion lead singer Fish, Madeleine Bell and solo artist/actress Toyah Willcox with a chance of other top names also making a guest appearance – Continue reading…

• Virgin Media: Shakespeare in pop: It’s 400 years since Shakespeare died! Yes, a rum anniversary (23 April 1616), but one which allows us to celebrate his input towards music culture… The Tempest: You would think with something like The Tempest, that the goths would be all over that, but no: only the Deftones and not-that-spooky-just-a-bit-darkish Pendulum have co-opted it for a title. One of Toyah’s pre-pop jobs was a role as Miranda in Derek Jarman’s interesting film version from 1979 – Continue reading…

• Vodzilla: Shakespeare 400: BFI brings the Bard’s films to VOD: With Saturday 23rd April marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the UK is going into overdrive celebrating the Bard, and the British Film Institute is no exception. This month, the BFI presents Shakespeare on Film, a UK-wide series of 300 special screenings and events celebrating the enormous impact the playwright’s life, work and legacy has had on cinema – Continue reading…

• Flickering Myth: Aaaaaaaah! Still: Toyah Willcox as Barbara – Continue reading…

• Lou Reviews: Shakespeare 400 in images: Heathcote Williams as Prospero and Toyah as Miranda in the 1979 film of ‘The Tempest’ – Continue reading…

A great review, by nerve, of Toyah’s Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool last month.

It’s No Mystery

Toyah Willcox strode onto the stage looking resplendent in a kaleidoscopic Oriental smock above a gold long sleeved top and in thigh length boots over black pants. Her frizzed blood red hair of her prime, now a less outlandish strawberry blonde, complementing her attire. She joined both her duo guitar and vocals backing, Colin Hinds and Chris Wong, before thanking the 80 – 90 strong audience for coming out on such a miserable rainy night. Visibly thrilled and gobsmacked to be at such a venue, she enthused ‘we usually play grotty clubs’.

Also on stage was a laptop and video screen, which she used to project key images of her varied acting and singing careers when appropriate. But it was the songs that the crowd had primarily come to see and hear Toyah perform, and when she launched into Good Morning Universe the memories started flooding back. Now 56, her voice was not as visceral as it once was, but came over loud and clear.

• Continue reading at nerve. Browse Toyah’s Official Gigs page for info on forthcoming Acoustic, Up Close & Personal dates.

Toyah and Sophie Anderson in a scene from forthcoming film Kaleidoscope Man. Artist Angie Cox recently tweeted the photo, saying: “My painting will be in Kaleidoscope Man. Toyah Willcox and Sophie Anderson talking about my painting in this scene“.

Director/creator of Kaleidoscope Man, Simon Cox, also updated the blog on the film’s official website at the end of last month.

A comprehensive article on yesterday’s Shakespeare 400 event has been published by The New Criterion.

Shakespeare 400 at the Victoria & Albert

The day ended on a warming note: a strong cup of tea, a ginger biscuit, and a genial chat between the poetry editor Paul Keegan and the singer/actress Toyah Willcox, who played Miranda in Derek Jarman’s film of The Tempest (1979). Willcox’s costume of rags is held by the V&A, and was too delicate to be released for this symposium. The film has aged similarly: part camp period piece, part inspired dismantling of the play. Jarman, Willcox recalled, started with “design.” He broke the final image of the play into its components, and then reconstructed them in his fashion. If he did not build a smoothly working machine, at least its coughs and rattles add to the chorus of interpretations and images.

While filming Jarman’s Tempest, the cast and crew chose to sit out a snow storm in their remote set, a derelict abbey. “It was fantastically wild,” Willcox recalled of working inside a real tempest. “We were living the dream.”

• Continue reading at The New Criterion.

Toyah expressed her disbelief at the news of Prince’s death on Thursday. Toyah and Robert Fripp were just as shocked by the sudden passing of the music legend as the rest of us. I love a lot Prince’s work, though admittedly mostly his 80s stuff – Around The World In A Day and Sign O’ The Times are two of my favourite albums. Such a huge talent.