For the third consecutive year Toyah has been omnipresent on Vintage TV throughout December. This year the 2011 special Toyah’s Vintage Christmas, last year’s Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo and 2013’s two-parter, co-hosted by Toyah and Roy Wood, A Very Vintage Christmas have all been airing.
There are still chances to catch all three: A Very Vintage Christmas is showing until the end of December, with Part One on this evening and Part Two tomorrow. Toyah’s Vintage Christmas and Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo are also both airing tomorrow… meaning Christmas Eve Eve (the best day of the year!) really does see Toyah taking over Vintage TV for Christmas.
Here are the times for the latest showings of all four programes, and view the full schedule for the rest of Toyah @ Vintage TV in December. Don’t forget that both parts of A Very Vintage Christmas are also currently available to watch online at Vintage TV’s website.
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Sunday 22nd December: 11.00pm (Pt 1)
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists on our new show as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs.
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Monday 23rd December: 9.00am
Cosy up with family and friends as Toyah Willcox brings you 30 of the finest Christmas songs and a sprinkling of festive stories, surrounded by an extraordinary variety of creatures great and small.
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Monday 23rd December: 4.00pm (Pt 2)
Snuggling up by the fireside with Toyah Willcox and Roy Wood for some Christmas chat and festive songs are pop rock act The Feeling and Imagination’s Leee John.
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Monday 23rd December: 9.00pm
Snuggle down by the fire with the family as punk princess, Toyah Willcox, introduces some of the finest Christmas videos of the 20th Century, sprinkled with a generous handful of fun festive facts.
Toyah’s Digital Advent for Christmas 2013 is almost complete, with the final door coming tomorrow. Yesterday’s gift was a selection of previously unseen outtakes from legendary Toyah photo sessions. Click below to view.
A few years ago Dreamscape compiled the ‘Toyah Festive 50′. A tinseltastic half tonne of Yuletide related Toyah facts, figures and trivia. Revisit the full rundown here.
Why was Toyah Scarlett at Christmas? … Who would be her dream dining companion? … Just how many town’s lights did Toyah switch on at Christmas 2003?… What were Toyah and Tony Robinson doing at Christmas 1988? … Which other programmes were aired the Christmas Eve night that Toyah’s legendary Theatre Royal, Drury Lane concert was watched by millions on BBC2?
Discover the answer to these and much more in our Toyah @ Christmas information overload! Completely unecessary but a lot of fun nonetheless!
Various articles have started to appear online on the forthcoming Derek Jarman season at the BFI in 2014. Jubilee and The Tempest play a number of times during the season, and Toyah will participate in Introducing The Tempest.
• The Quietus: BFI Announce Derek Jarman Season: The Quietus are excited to be media partners with the BFI’s major film retrospective of the groundbreaking filmmaker’s work, taking place in February and March 2014: The BFI have announced that they are hosting a major film retrospective of the work of filmmaker Derek Jarman. Titled Queer Pagan Punk, it will take place across February and March 2014, marking the 20th anniversary of his death. The season will draw together key films from his career alongside rarer work, as well as talks and discussions with special guests – Continue reading…
• After Nyne: BFI Announces Two-Month Derek Jarman Retrospective: The BFI is pleased to announce Queer Pagan Punk: Derek Jarman a major two month film retrospective at BFI Southbank (February/March 2014). This will be the largest retrospective of Jarman’s films ever mounted in the UK, celebrating the prolific, iconoclastic and hugely influential film-maker and marking the 20th anniversary of his death… Toyah Willcox, John Maybury, Jenny Runacre, Dexter Fletcher, Isaac Julien, Tariq Ali, James McKay, Keith Collins and Don Boyd and are among the invited guest speakers – Continue reading…
• BFI: A full list of related events, including the showings of Jubilee and The Tempest, can be viewed by clicking here and searching for “Jarman”.
Christmas 1996, Toyah contributed a thoughtful recollection of childhood Christmasses to the charity publication ‘Once Upon A Christmas’. This book is now out of print.
In this delightful Christmas book, a host of our most popular and well-known celebrities from all walks of life have contributed stories, memories, recipes and thoughts about Christmas to make this the most irresistible festive anthology there is… Once Upon A Christmas will help to put – and keep – you in the Christmas spirit.
Toyah Willcox: Broadcaster and Singer
Childhood Christmasses were the most magical.
It was the appearance of the Christmas tree that cued two weeks of sheer all-encompassing joy. I’m talking about being four years old. Just able to talk but unable to comprehend the hidden meanings of the words of wisdom from the giants, the adults…
• Continue reading at Dreamscape’s Press Archive.
• Toyah’s Digital Advent: The Official countdown to Christmas Eve reaches day eight today, and a very special gift – The Humans Live At Scala London 2010. A full digital live album for Christmas – Listen here… View the full Advent here…
• Rare Photos: Additional photos from the late 1970’s were also added to the Calendar yesterday – View these amazing shots here…
• A Very Vintage Christmas: Toyah is mentioned in Vintage TV’s December Podcast. She is also still pictured on the Home Page of their website. There are still numerous chances to catch both editions of A Very Vintage Christmas – View the full schedule here…
• Vintage TV: Both editions of A Very Vintage Christmas are also now available to watch online at Vintage TV’s website. Watch Part One here, and Part Two here.
• Dark Night Of The Soul With Julie: Toyah’s ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’ was included in Julie’s Christmas Special playlist last night on WFMU – View the full list here…
Toyah guests on Steve Lamacq’s Roundtable on BBC Radio 6Music in early 2014, her third appearance on the show in as many years.
Steve Lamacq’s Roundtable: BBC Radio 6Music:
Thursday 9th January: 6.00pm
Toyah and Martyn Ware. Lammo chairs a special 80s-themed Roundtable with Toyah and Martyn Ware.
In the early 80s, every member of Toyah’s Fanclub – The Intergalactic Ranchouse – received a personally signed Christmas card from Toyah. She even mentioned in an interview at the time that she signed thousands of cards. Do you still have yours? Here are all four cards, send from 1981 to 1984. The card from 1983 was a postcard and the 1984 card came from the Toyah Fanclub, the IRH had closed earlier in the year.
Click here to read the messages, for 1981 and ’82. And click here for the cards, and messages, from 1983 and ’84.
A Christmas update to In The Fairground: Andrew York’s Arternative Universe. It’s been a successful first year for Andrew’s website, which now showcases 100s of his wonderful creations. Click below to visit.
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Parts One and Two
Various Days & Times: Throughout December
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists on our new show as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs. View full schedule.
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV:
Tue 17th December: 4.00pm / Mon 23rd December: 9.00pm
Snuggle down by the fire with the family as punk princess, Toyah Willcox, introduces some of the finest Christmas videos of the 20th Century, sprinkled with a generous handful of fun festive facts.
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV:
Thu 19th December: 8.00pm / Saturday 21st December: 11.00am
Monday 23rd December: 9.00am / Boxing Day: 5.00pm
Cosy up with family and friends as Toyah Willcox brings you 30 of the finest Christmas songs and a sprinkling of festive stories, surrounded by an extraordinary variety of creatures great and small.
Quadrophenia: ITV4: Thursday 19th December: 11.05pm
Quadrophenia: ITV4: Christmas Day: 10.35pm
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. (Also airing on ITV4 +1 and ITV4 HD)
100 Greatest Toys with Jonathan Ross:
Ch4: Mon 23rd Dec: 12.30pm / More4: Christmas Day: 10.45am / Boxing Day: 4Seven: 00.35am
Boxing Day: 4Seven: 3.55pm / Sat 28th Dec: 4Seven: 11.05pm / Sun 29th Dec: 4Seven: 12.50pm
Gadget, gizmo and toy collector extraordinaire Jonathan Ross presents a three-hour countdown of the nation’s favourite toys and games. From Action Man to Yahtzee, and from Barbie to Trivial Pursuit, inventors and toymakers tell the inside stories of their creations and success. And to fully explain the impact of these toys and games, the children of yesteryear – today’s celebrities, authors, actors and journalists – reveal exactly what it was that made them love a particular toy. The shortlist of 100 toys was selected by a panel of industry experts and the final countdown decided by a Channel 4 online vote.
• The Old Grey Whistle Test: New to Dreamscape’s You Tube channel, a rare clip from Toyah’s 1981 Christmas Eve concert, televised live on BBC2’s The Old Grey Whistle Test. This is the final song of the concert, ‘I Want To Be Free’, but it’s from the TV version not the BBC Video that was released in 1982, so a slightly different ending (Thanks to Andy) – Watch here…
• Toyah’s Digital Advent: We are being spoiled this Christmas by The Official Toyah Willcox Website. Already there’s been live footage from the Love Is The Law & More Tour, great audio from 1981, rare photos from the late 70s, and today a treat from the 90s – Visit the Advent…
• Nottingham Post: Celebrity signed book by Nottingham care assistant auctioned for charity: Care assistant Victoria Harwood is hoping to raise funds to save endangered animals – by drawing animals… The famous signatures include Richard Kiel and singer Toyah Willcox – Continue reading…
• Robert Fripp’s Diary: A selection of great festive photos have been posted to Robert’s online diary – View here…
• Official Discography: There is more content being added almost daily. Great info on Toyah;s many releases over the years – View here…
• Toyah 1987 – 2003: Great news that Toyah’s back catalogue from 1987 to 2003 will be made available digitally next year. Desire, Prostitute, Ophelia’s Shadow, Take The Leap!, Dreamchild, Velvet Lined Shell – all fantastic albums that will hopefully reach more people in years to come!
We’re counting down to Christmas at Dreamscape…
Christmas Eve, 1981. Toyah play to millions (figures mentioned sometimes suggest over 10 million viewers) on The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2, beamed live from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Toyah was in top form this night and no wonder as it was the end to a hugely successful year: hit singles, an album that reached number 2 and stayed on the chart for the rest of the year, three sell out tours, topping year-end music polls, magazine covers, numerous television appearances… Here are screen caps from the original BBC2 Christmas trail for their 1981 Christmas Eve schedule.
The Official Toyah Digital Advent for Christmas 2013 began yesterday.
There will be Toyah goodies behind each door in a daily countdown to Christmas Eve. Already there’s been great live footage and a selection of highly rare band photos from the 1970s and we’re only on Day Two!!
• Check out the Official Advent at toyahwillcox.com.
The latest issue of Breaking Through, Toyah’s Official Newsletter, was mailed out to subscribers yesterday.
It features news on Toyah’s new ‘Winter in Wonderland’ EP, the re-design of the Official Toyah website, Toyah’s Digital Advent 2013, Live Track for December 2013, the new video by The Blockheads, Toyah’s Christmas at ‘Vintage TV’, and more.
• Subscribe: For full info on all of the above, and to receive future issues of the newsletter, sign up to ‘Breaking Through’ here.
Christmas 1983, Toyah was promoting ‘The Vow’, the final single for Safari Records, the ‘Love Is The Law’ album, and travelling the UK on the ‘Rebel Run’ Tour. Toyah, and the band, appeared on numerous TV shows in the UK and Europe through November and December, being interviewed as well as performing ‘The Vow’ and ‘Rebel Run’.
The TV shows included; Pebble Mill, Did You See?, Pop Watch, Saturday Superstore, Breakfast Time, Razzmatazz, The Saturday Show, Harty, Crackerjack and Judgendbund. Other shows included in ‘The Vow’ promotion were; TVAM: Good Morning Britain and 60 Minutes. 
• The Humans Live 2014: Two of the US dates have now been confirmed as taking place at The Triple Door Club, Seattle on 14th/15th April – Visit the Official Gigs page…
• Toyah Live 2014: More tickets now on sale, a new ‘Crimson Queen’ gig in Clitheroe, and another ‘Acoustic’ show being announced soon – Visit the Official Gigs page…
• Introducing The Tempest: Toyah will be introducing The Tempest, in which she played Miranda in 1979, at this event at the BFI Southbank, London on 12th February next year.
• The List: Interview: Gavin Mitchell on Bowie, sandwiches and sleeping in the library: First concert you ever attended Toyah at the Apollo – Read the full Q&A here…
• RBKC Libraries Blog: From Club to Catwalk: 80′s fashion talk at the V&A: An article on the recent V&A event which Toyah participated in (and also mentions in her latest blog) – View here…
• Elves Bells!:A Caboodle of Cool Christmas Songs: Toyah – I Believe In Father Christmas – It took 30 years, but this 1982 television performance was released as a single last year. If you are a Toyah fan, her Winter In Wonderland just became available – View here…
• Santas Working Overtime: Spend the Holidays with Toyah, VTO, Hi-5, Chris Ward, Not Literally, John Rossall – View here…
Just to confirm that Toyah’s Vintage TV 2013 festive special A Very Vintage Christmas has two parts, which are airing at different times over the festive season.
Part One has Leddra Chapman, Lee Broderick and Mari Wilson being interviewed and performing Christmas songs, and Part Two has The Feeling and Leee John of Imagination doing the same.
Dreamscape’s air dates guide has been updated to reflect this info. View here…
Both parts have streamed on Vintage TV’s website while airing and now both are also in their Library and available to view online. Watch Part One here, and Part Two here.
Toyah’s Official Facebook made a selection of Play, Pause, Rewind… status posts recently, including a link to some interesting early info and a rare Sunday All Over The World photo:
<< REWIND: In the beginning………… Toyah performed live in a band with a less snappy name than ‘Toyah’ or Ninth Illusion! >> “When The Streets Were Dark With More Than Night” were a short lived Lou Reed-influenced punk outfit, playing youth clubs and pubs as well as a notorious gig at the Ford Youth club at the Ford Dagenham Car Plant – Continue reading…
STOP Toyah recorded a bunch of demos co-written with Robert Fripp in 1985 in advance of the release of the spoken word album The Lady Or The Tiger and before their marriage. On their 1991 album as Sunday All Over The World joined by Trey Gunn and Paul Beavis) the track “Freedom” includes the original 1985 demo vocal. Hear the song at Vimeo…
Yipee! It’s our first Christmas Countdown post – A great way to start, download some festive Toyah music to get you through the month.
1. Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter) by The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah, was released three years ago at Christmas 2010. A charity single, raising funds for the hospice Hazel’s mum was looked after before her death. A great cause and a really good song. Download at iTunes. 2. I Believe In Father Christmas, Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs last year) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the ‘Mayhem’ compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD ‘Live & More’. Last year it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 3. Winter In Wonderland, One year on and there’s a new digital single, no make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes.
Toyah’s December/Christmas 2013 blog is available to read at The Official Toyah Willcox Website, including great photos from Vintage TV’s Live Sessions, where Toyah interviewed Gabrielle. There’s also a new live track on the Official Gigs page, ‘Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)’ from the Love Is The Law & More Tour at The Brook, Southampton in November.
The trailer for the forthcoming and anticipated series, Dun Punkin, was released last week. Starring Toyah Willcox, Jud Charlton, Anabel Barnston, Topper Headon, Miss Baby Sol, The Three Belles, Lee Thompson, Barrie Masters and The Blockheads. View at ‘You Tube’ by clicking below.
