• Toyah’s New Year Message: Read at Twitter…
• Christmas Wrapping: Robert Fripp and WillyFred on Christmas morning…
• Encyclopedia of British Film: Toyah is now included in this book…
• The Toyah Willcox Fuschia: Is another step closer to the flower shops of the world…
• Compassion in World Farming: Used this photo of Toyah and WillyFred as part of their Christmas 2015 campaign.
One more sleep till Christmas! Wishing everyone who has visited this website over the last 12 months a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you back here in 2016 ;)
Two of Toyah’s festive shows air tonight, on Vintage TV, as Christmas Eve fades into the distance…
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Christmas Eve: 9pm
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: Christmas Eve: 11.30pm
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs. (Part 1)
Toyah, accompanied by WillyFred the Wonder Rabbit, has recorded a Christmas message – Click on the screen shot below to watch. The final stocking filler for Christmas 2015 has also been revealed by toyahwillcox.com, a fantastic fantasy image Phoenix Rising (which would make an amazing album cover!).
A very Merry Christmas to Toyah, Robert and WillyFred – See Toyah’s We Are Family photo.
It’s the final day of the Dreamscape Christmas Countdown… I hope you’ve enjoyed the Christmas Toyahfest over the last 24 days.
On Christmas Eve 1981, exactly 34 years ago tonight, Toyah played the final date of the Good Morning Universe European Tour, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. This was, famously, broadcast live on BBC2 on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Toyah later recalled: “I spent one Christmas in complete euphoria after doing the Drury Lane Whistle Test. I can remember driving home to Birmingham that night and it was snowing. Everything was just wonderful and I remained on a high after doing that show for about ten days.“
A trio of festive Toyah interviews from Christmases past. Christmas Memories from ‘No. 1′ magazine, 1983; Star Surprises from ‘Celebs’ magazine, 2005; and a O Come, All Ye Faithful from the ‘Sunday Express’ magazine, 2008 (which also included a festive illustration by Daniel Mitchell).
O Come, All Ye Faithful: Sunday Express (21st December 2008)
The festive season isn’t just about parties and presents, even for the stars. Gillian Rowe talks to some well-known people about where they worship on Christmas Day, and what the occasion means to them.
Toyah Willcox: Each Christmas Eve my husband Robert and I go to the midnight carol service at my local parish church. I’m normally working over Christmas, singing at rock concerts or appearing in panto, so I find myself rushing home from wherever I am to get to the service on time. The church is full to the rafters, with 300 people or more, and everyone takes communion.
I believe in remembering the Christian values of Christmas, which for me are about bringing a community together and celebrating the birth of all children. Also, for me, Christmas is more important than the New Year as a time to look over what you have achieved in the previous 12 months. I love singing Silent Night and Away In A Manger. I first sung them at school, and we were all so innocent then. There was no persecution, terrorism or religious hatred when I was growing up in Birmingham. Of course, the history of Christianity, like many religions, is peppered with violence, but for me the principles of Christianity are sound. I think it’s important for children to be taught the power of prayer, the importance of community and compassion. For me a carol service awakens this in all children.
Star Surprises: Our Fave Gifts: Celebs Magazine (December 2005)
The celebs reveal all about the very best pressies they’ve ever found under the Christmas tree. Amazingly, they aren’t all diamonds and sports cars.
TOYAH WILLCOX ‘A lifesize terracotta statue of a horse and warrior. On Christmas day in 1991, my husband insisted I walk around the garden and there it was. I still love it.’
Christmas Memories: No. 1 (24th December 1983)
What was the best Christmas you ever had? The best Christmases ever was when I was a kid because I had the security of my family and all the traditions were kept. I used to get tons and tons of pressies. Up until the age of ten I was having really good christmases. I spent one Christmas in complete euphoria after doing the Drury Lane Whistle Test which was two years ago. It was such a wonderful night.
• Continue reading Christmas Memories at Dreamscape’s Press Archive.
Two more shots from the “Toyah in Wonderland” photography series have been made available as part of Toyah’s stocking fillers for Christmas 2015. View at The Official Toyah Website, here and here. (Photos © Gary Clutterbuck/Toyah Willcox)
More festive stocking filler goodies courtesy of toyahwillcox.com – Download the booklet for the digital issue of Toyah’s 1988 album, Prostitute.
There’s already been an abundance of Toyah on TV this December but there are many more appearances over Christmas – Here is a second, updated, summary of what, where and when…
Most Shocking Moments in Pop 2: Channel 5 + 24
Tuesday 22nd December: 9pm
More ferocious feuds and sizzling scandals. From Grace Jones lamping Russell Harty to Solange’s fisticuffs with Jay-Z and George Michael’s dubious driving.
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Tuesday 22nd December: 11.30pm
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Christmas Eve: 9pm
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Boxing Day: 7pm
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.
The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Christmas Eve: 4.10pm
Part One, 100 – 51. Denise Van Outen presents the first in a two-part rundown of the 100 best musicals as voted for by viewers, featuring 42nd Street, 8 Mile and The Sound of Music. The first show counts down from 100 to 51 and features memorable clips from film, stage and TV, interspersed with interviews given by performers, directors, writers and choreographers. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Christmas Eve: 11.30pm
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Boxing Day: 00.00am
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs. (Part 1)
Top Of The Pops: The Story of 1976: Yesterday: Christmas Day: 1.55am
Top Of The Pops: The Story of 1976: Yesterday: Wednesday 30th December: 1am
Documentary examining how the BBC’s flagship pop show reflected changes in British music and culture during 1976. As the popularity of glam rock faded, no dominant musical scene emerged to replace it, leading to chart success for bands including Abba, Showaddywaddy, the Brotherhood of Man and the Wurzels – while outside the mainstream, punk rock was rapidly growing in popularity. Contributions by Tony Blackburn, Paul Morley, Toyah Willcox, David Hamilton and Dave Haslam.
The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Christmas Day: 1.55pm
Part Two, 50 – 1. Denise Van Outen concludes the rundown of viewers’ favourite musicals, counting down from 50 to number one. Including memorable clips from film, stage and TV productions, plus contributions by celebrity fans, Hollywood movers and shakers, critics and journalists. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Christmas Day: 7pm
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. (Part 2)
Neil McCormick’s Needle Time: Vintage TV: Wednesday 30th December: 5am
Toyah Willcox. Prolific artist and actor, who enjoyed hits with ‘It’s a Mystery’, ‘Thunder in the Mountains’ and ‘I Want to be Free’, shares the story behind her remarkable career – Running Time: 60 minutes. Vintage TV is available on Sky 369, Freeview 242, Virgin 343 and Freesat 505.
NB: As well as all that Tales Of The Unexpected, Minder, Kavanagh Q.C. and Choccywoccydoodah are also all currently available to watch via their respective “catch up” services.
On Christmas Day 1981 Top Of The Pops included Toyah performing their biggest hit of the year, ‘It’s A Mystery’, with Toyah looking incredible, and incredibly similar to the sleeve of the, recently released, ‘Four More From Toyah’ EP. Only the night before the band had appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test, live from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. The concert, and this Top Of The Pops appearance, marked the end of an amazingly successful year for Toyah. Definitely a year worth celebrating almost 35 years later!
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Sunday 20th December: 10am
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs. (Part 1)
Another great stocking filler courtesy of toyahwillcox.com – Download the booklet for the digital issue of Toyah’s 1987 album, Desire – Gorgeous!!!
Only 6 days until Christmas, why not download some, Christmas related, Toyah music/releases to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.
1. 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 in a 2012 poll) 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. Three Christmasses ago it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In Wonderland; One year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes. 3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP last December as a companion piece to the recently digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.
Toyah didn’t release any new music in 1984 but ‘Smash Hits’ still included her in their special extra issue – The Smash Hits Christmas Party, published in association with Woolworth – in December 1984: Will You Be Watching The Queen’s Speech? When you jump up after the Christmas Top Of The Pops, is it to stand to attention for Her Majesty or a mad dash to switch off the TV? We asked a selection of pop stars if they’d be tuning in to that speech… Click below to view a larger version – Read the full issue here.
A second shot from the “Toyah in Wonderland” photography series has been made available as part of Toyah’s stocking fillers for Christmas 2015. View at The Official Toyah Website, Instagram and/or Facebook. (Photo © Gary Clutterbuck/Toyah Willcox)
Toyah and Brave New World star Messenger went early Christmas shopping in November 1983… Pop singer and actress Toyah Willcox has always wanted to do her Christmas shopping on horseback! With a little help from TV-am’s ‘Fantasy Time’, and Liberty’s in Regent Street, Toyah rode a white horse called Messenger through the store. Watch the full TVAM clip at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel or below.
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: Channel 5
Boxing Day: 10.30pm/New Year’s Eve: 11.55pm
A merry romp through the most inappropriate, outrageous and appallingly atrocious Christmas television turkeys of all time. These are the kind of disastrous, ill-conceived and downright cringe-inducing moments that it’s a wonder ever made it to air. Among contributors ready to dissect the disasters – many of which they were involved in themselves – are Eamonn Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read.
A Very Vintage Christmas, with Toyah and Roy Wood, airs tonight on Vintage TV.
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV
Wednesday 16th December: 11pm
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. (Part 2)
Almost every Christmas Eve since December 2000 Dreamscape has posted a website Christmas “card”. It’s usually the final update/post of the year, and a thanks to everyone who has taken the time to visit the site over the past 12 months. Here is a look back at just a few…
Another stocking filler courtesy of toyahwillcox.com – Download the booklet for the digital issue of Toyah’s 1991 album, Ophelia’s Shadow – It’s the album’s 25th Anniversary in 2016 too!
Christmas gets well and truly under way this morning… Toyah’s Vintage Christmas airs on Vintage TV at 10am – 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 – Click below to view more screen caps and here to visit the Vintage TV website.
