Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Iconic movie Jubilee is showing as part of Queer Time, Queer Space at Indiana University Cinema next month.

QUEER TIME, QUEER SPACE: JUBILEE + NEW QUEER SHORTS
Fri, Feb 24, 7 pm; $5

Derek Jarman | 1978 | United Kingdom | Not rated | DCP
Queen Elizabeth I travels 400 years into the future to witness a dystopian London overrun by a vicious gang of punk guerrilla girls led by the new Monarch of Punk. Preceded by three shorts from up-and-coming queer filmmakers.

About Queer Time, Queer Space: Jubilee + New Queer Shorts
Queen Elizabeth I asks her court alchemist to show her England in the future and she’s transported 400 years to a postapocalyptic wasteland of roving girl gangs, an all-powerful media mogul, fascistic police, scattered filth, and twisted sex. Legendary British filmmaker Derek Jarman channels political dissent and creative daring into a revolutionary blend of history, fantasy, cinematic experimentation, satire, anger, fashion, and philosophy. Starring cultural icons Jordan, Toyah Willcox, Little Nell, Jayne County, Adam Ant, and Brian Eno. 100% on Rotten Tomatoes! [106 mins; drama, fantasy; English]

“Ahead of its time and often frighteningly accurate in its predictions, [Jubilee] is a fascinating historical document and a gorgeous work of film art.” — The Criterion Collection

“Jarman’s sophomore film is a Molotov cocktail of celluloid—a film that practically dares you to watch it.” — Film Threat

“One of the most original, bold, and exciting features to have come out of Britain in the 1970s.” — Variety

• Continue reading for further details and ticket link at Indiana University’s website.

Welcome to episode nine of our Patreon exclusive podcast documentary series, An Uncanny Hour hosted by Robin Ince.

In this episode we look at the life and influence of artist, activist and director Derek Jarman and more specifically his 1978 cult film, Jubilee. Was the film a punk film, a film about punk, or neither? How does it work in tandem with Jarman’s activism as a leading campaigner against Clause 28 and the homophobia of the time and how is it still relevant today?

Robin Ince talks about his affection for Jarman’s work and talks to:

Musician, actor and one of the stars of Jubilee, Toyah Willcox | Creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Jubilee performer, Richard O’Brien | Writer, journalist and friend of Derek Jarman, Jon Savage | Performance artist, musician, writer and creator of some of Derek Jarman’s soundtracks, Cosey Fanni Tutti | Musician, writer and front man for The Membranes, John Robb | Comedian, writer and former punk, Charlie Higson

• Continue reading/Watch the podcast at The Cosmic Shambles Network.

Info from Saturday’s third instalment of Toyah At Home, which aired at Toyah’s official You Tube channel.

• It’s A Mystery: from Toyah’s second EP was the song of the morning. She talked about her reaction when first hearing the song, written by Keith Hale of Blood Donor, and how it ultimately changed her life.

• The Humans: “It’s Humans day!!” said Toyah, and a very quick look at all of the Toyah & The Humans releases – Four vinyls and a great box set. Toyah mentioned Bill Rieflin wanted to call it “The Humans’ Greatest Hits”.

• Derek Jarman: Toyah talked about her experiences working with the late writer/director on the films from her early career; Jubilee and The Tempest.

• The Tempest: Detailed discussion on working on this film. Lots of memories from Toyah, including two wonderful keepsakes Derek Jarman gave her at the end of filming, and playing Miranda as a wild child. Toyah said: “The Tempest for me was one of the most important films of my career“, and her introduction to Shakespeare.

• Making Movies in Los Angeles: Toyah talked about relocating, or more to the point not relocating, to the USA for acting work, and whether her younger self would have done so now if she had the opportunity.

• Glastonbury: The experience of playing the legendary festival (in 2016) but never attending it as a festival-goer!

• Most Haunted: Toyah chatted about the various haunted homes she has stayed in, and the activity generated within them.

• In The Fairground: Interesting chat about the song from the 1981 EP Four More From Toyah; its origins, what the lyric is about, and how it relates to today.

• In The Fairground: Toyah said: “I listened to that and thought, wow this track, it’s really nice. I could probably sing it a lot better now than I did back then. Back then we were on tour, we had to deliver for Christmas. It was 1981 and was pretty much made in between live shows, and I think I could develop that now much better for the acoustic show“.

• New Studio Album: by the Toyah band of now? There are a number of obstacles, including geography, finances, the ongoing pandemic, but “It’s a possibility” Toyah said.

• Telepathic Lover: Live archive footage of this great song from Four From Toyah: Birthday Edition EP and 2019’s In The Court Of The Crimson Queen album. Toyah said: “One of my favourite songs live. I just love the groove and when we’re on stage, this is the Toyah band at their best. It’s absolutely fabulous“.

• Ask Toyah: Toyah said “Please keep those questions rolling in. It’s really good to do this. I love, I love It, I love it! They are wonderful!“.

• Toyah at Home: This week’s show was promoted on Toyah’s official Instagram with a rare Four From Toyah era photo (directly above).

• See you next week for Toyah At Home #4.

• Let’s Rock 80s Lockdown Fest: Toyah is taking part in the Let’s Rock 80s Lockdown Fest on Saturday 16th May, 7-10pm… Tune in from your home

• Official Toyah: Unicorn Bolero Sunday Lockdown Lunch #toyahwillcox #robertfripp #bolero #unicorn #lockdown – Continue watching…

• BBC Archive: #OnThisDay 1981: Toyah Willcox and Chris Phipps crowned the winner of The Poser competition on Look! Hear! – Take a trip back to the 80s…

• Big Issue North: In The Frame – Derek Jarman: Best known as a film-maker, Jarman was also a diarist and artist. From pop to politics, his work epitomises 1980s culture but remains vital today – Contnue reading…

• Hero Magazine: Jubilee, Mouth Music and Magnolia: In Jubilee, Derek Jarman tells the story of a time-travelling Queen Elizabeth who arrives in 1979 to find her kingdom destroyed by punks. It’s a gloriously unhinged celebration of chaos, where hierarchy is demolished and renegades are given free rein – Continue reading…

Square Chapel Arts Centre’s LGBTQ+ History Month, with a series of live events and special film screenings, got underway yesterday – with a screening of Jubilee, followed by a Q&A with Toyah and then an electro-acoustic gig by Toyah. (Photos © Square Chapel Arts Centre)

Square Chapel Arts Centre is celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with a series of live events and special film screenings

During February 2020, Square Chapel Arts Centre is celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with a series of live events and special film screenings.

LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBT community.

The programme of events Square Chapel has on for audiences includes:

The Tempest + Christopher Biggins Q&A
On Thursday 13 February from 7:00pm audiences can see The Tempest, a film directed by Derek Jarman and starring Toyah Willcox and Christopher Biggins. The film will be followed by an in conversation with the English stage and screen actor, Christopher Biggins who is best known for his role as Lukewarm in the BBC sitcom Porridge. Fans can expect an entertaining evening from this national treasure.

Jubilee + Toyah Willcox Q&A + Gig
On Saturday 1 February from 4.45pm the arts centre will start will screen the film Jubilee starring Toyah Willcox and directed by Derek Jarman, followed by a Q&A hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins. The night will end with a live gig from Toyah and her band.

• Continue reading at Square Chapel Arts Centre.

Independent Venue Week: Toyah Willcox, Dan Donnelly & Mik Artistik at Square Chapel

For the second year, Square Chapel Arts Centre will be offering a programme of events as part of Independent Venue Week. A national celebration of live music and comedy, the events are performed in, and organised by, independent venues like the Halifax arts centre. This year’s line-up for gig goers includes the fascinating musician and comedian Mik Artistik, punk princess Toyah Willcox, The Wonder Stuff ‘s Dan Donnelly, and Clinton Baptiste from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights.

On Saturday 1 February, Square Chapel welcomes back punk princess and cult stage actress, Toyah Willcox.

Willcox is a uniquely gifted performer and an inextinguishable flame. Charismatic, outspoken and impossible to categorise, she is one of Britain’s beloved household names – an award-winning rock legend, renowned stage and screen actress (Jubilee, Quadrophenia) and music composer. Toyah has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-five albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays, acted in over twenty feature films and presented hundreds of television programmes.

The film Jubilee, starring Toyah, and directed by Derek Jarman, will commence at 4.45pm, followed by an ‘in conversation’ with Toyah and hosted by BBC 6 Music presenter, Chris Hawkins. The evening will end with a live gig from Toyah and her band. Tickets for all three elements of this event are priced at £30.

• Continue reading at the Yorkshire Times. See more info on the Jubilee film screening, In Conversation with Toyah, and full band gig here.

As recently posted, and following this year’s Quadrophenia screening/Q&A + Gig, Toyah will return to Square Chapel Arts Centre in early 2020 for a Jubilee screening/Q&A and a new full-band electric concert.

As well as this, Square Chapel Arts Centre are also screening The Tempest, along with a Q&A with Christopher Biggins.

All of these events are taking place in February 2020 as part of LGBT History Month – We are delighted to be celebrating LGBT History Month with a series of live events and special film screenings.

• Browse details of the Jubilee and The Tempest screening events, as well as the full diary for LGBT History Month, at the Square Chapel Arts Centre website.

Toyah chats about Halifax gig and Jubilee Q&A – Featuring a live on stage Q&A with Toyah Willcox, hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, Chris Hawkins. See our previous post on this here.

Toyah is taking part in a special Jubilee event at Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax in early 2020.

The event consists of a screening of the film, an onstage Q&A with Toyah – who played pyromaniac Mad in Derek Jarman’s late 1970’s epic – and later, a full band Toyah gig.

GIG, JUBILEE SCREENING + Q&A
1st February 2020
Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax

This special evening at Square Chapel Arts Centre includes a special screening of Derek Jarman’s cult classic punk movie Jubilee.

Featuring a live on stage Q&A with Toyah Willcox, hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, Chris Hawkins.

Toyah will then perform a live gig with her band spanning over 40 years of her music career. Ticket deal available for both screening and the gig.

• Full details of the Jubilee screening + Q&A event here, and details of the Toyah gig which follows it, here.

English woes – Derek Jarman’s apocalyptic visions of England are as relevant as ever

In The Last of England, a collection of autobiographical sketches, diary entries and script notes published in 1987, Derek Jarman offered a ferocious state of the nation address:

Young bigots flaunting an excess of ignorance. Little England. Criminal behaviour in the police force. Little England. Jingoism at Westminster. Little England. Small town folk gutted by ring roads. Little England. Distressed housing estates cosmeticised in historicism. Little England. The greedy destruction of the countryside. Little England.

It’s a passage that encapsulates many of Jarman’s most persistent concerns: national identity, reactionary politics, the representation of the past, architecture, landscape and ecology.

… Jarman’s shoots were renowned for their sense of camaraderie. Toyah Willcox, who starred in Jubilee, said, ‘the whole thing about Derek was that he allowed everyone to learn. He was the most fantastic teacher. There was no elitism, there were no closed doors.’ The emphasis placed on collaboration, thrift and imagination was partly a matter of necessity. For the majority of his career, his films had tiny budgets, though public money from the BFI and Channel 4 was forthcoming from his fourth feature onwards. Jarman’s cinematic ambitions were, however, constantly hindered by battles with producers and funding bodies. ‘The money required to make a film, let alone a consistent cinematic career, can evaporate like snow in June,’ he noted.

• Continue reading at Apollo Magazine.

• Toyah Live 2019: Just Announced: 80s Festival – Bodelwyddan Castle 28 June 2019 – Starring punk princess to high priestess of TV, Toyah Willcox, The Only Way Is 80s party band plus Decadez80s – paying homage to the 1980s – Further Info…

• Official Charts: Record Store Day 2019: The full list of 545 exclusive music releases revealed: 545 limited edition products ranging from live LPs, boxsets, albums never-before-released-on-vinyl, movie soundtracks, remix EPs, and unreleased rarities will be available across 7″, 10″, 12″, picture disc, coloured vinyl and flexidisc (!) formats – Continue reading…

• The Prince Charles Cinema: Selectrospective: As previously posted, Jubilee is playing at The Prince Charles Cinema, London in March – This is showing as part of a mini Derek Jarman Selectrospective – More info…

• RSD19: In The Court Of The Crimson Queen has been mentioned in numerous online articles reporting on Record Store Day 2019 over the past few days.

Yesterday was the 25th Anniversary of the death of Derek Jarman. Numerous events were held to mark the occasion including a memorial at The Tate and an unveiling of a new blue plaque in London.

A blue plaque marking the site of the studio where artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman lived and worked in the 1970s has been unveiled at Butler’s Wharf.

Once Butler’s Wharf ceased to be used as a warehouse in the early 1970s, it was rented out to artists and others at low rents. Speaking at the unveiling on Tuesday, English Heritage trustee David Olusoga said: “Jarman’s connection with this building lasted between 1973 and 1979.

“The building suffered a series of fires but it survived. It was converted to apartments, offices and a restaurant in the 1980s.” He added: “Today’s unveiling to Jarman marks 25 years since his death, and February also marks LGBT History Month.

“To me as a filmmaker, Jarman was a pioneer … you felt clever because you watched his films and pretended you fully understood them.”

• Continue reading at London SE1. Browse Dreamscape’s Derek Jarman News Archive.

Jubilee is showing at The Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Place, London on Tuesday 12th March.

Jubilee | Directed by Derek Jarman
Starring Jenny Runacre, Nell Campbell, Toyah Willcox
1978 | 106mins | UK | rated (15)

Queen Elizabeth I and her occult aide Dr John Dee (brilliantly played by Jenny Runacre and Richard O’Brien, respectively) travel into the future, encountering the megalomania of big business as well as gangs of violent, marauding killers. Derek Jarman is hitting his stride here – and doesn’t spare the shocks – while electrifying punk rock numbers are abrasively delivered by Jayne County and Adam Ant. The mythological past and bleak future converge on the sparse, grey streets of London.

• Continue reading/Further info at The Prince Charles Cinema.

• Matches Fashion: Raf Simons ‘Toyah’ graphic-print cotton T-shirt – It an be yours for £265! – Raf Simons’ pink T-shirt is inspired by Toyah Willcox’s character ‘Monkey’ in the film Quadrophenia. The cult item features a bold black graphic print across the front, a ribbed crew-neck loose-fit style. Tap into the label’s current punk aesthetic and style with an oversized leather jacket, maxi skirt and boots – See here…

• Quadrophenia: See Monkey, Jimmy et al on the big screen at the Classic Cinema Club’s screening of Quadrophenia at Ealing Town Hall on 15th February – More info…

• #ToyahLPCountdown: A great new Official Toyah 40th Music Anniversary feature on social media, with entries so far for Sheep Farming in Barnet, The Blue Meaning and Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!

• Lovely’s Vintage Toyah Wardrobe: All Toyah pieces are now half price! The charity sale on behalf of Ms Toyah Willcox ends soon, so shop now! – See here…

• Toyah Live 2019: Toyah’s gig at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on Friday 22nd February has Sold Out!!

• Pop Matters: Jubilee (1978) Retro Review – Derek Jarman’s Jubilee is cagier than its simplistic ‘resist the system’ message suggests – As long as the music’s loud enough, we won’t hear the world falling apart. — Borgia Ginz (Jack Birkett), Jubilee – Continue reading…

• Exclusive Back to the 80’s Concert in Bali: Toyah is playing this concert, which takes place on the 10th day of the cruise to Bali, along with Marc Almond, Belinda Carlisle, T’Pau and Midge Ure. Tickets are already at Limited Availability – More info here…

Jubilee is showing at the Harvard Film Archive, at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, tomorrow evening, in a double-feature with Fires Were Started.

Fires Were Started, Humphrey Jennings’ only feature film, is a docudrama centered around a real group of heroic firefighters as they extinguish the destructive blazes of war; Derek Jarman’s Jubilee follows a group of nihilistic punks who love nothing more than to set anything ablaze. In both films the spirit and mettle of the directors’ respective Britains are on display, and Jennings’ heart-heavy optimism is starkly opposed by Jarman’s bitterness. A mythic inferno opposes the British spirit, but may also be the only way to access it as it slips away, and both Fires Were Started and Jubilee explore this in contrasting but similar ensemble narratives.

The Harvard Film Archive (HFA) is a film archive and cinema located in the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

• Continue reading/More info at Harvard Library.

• The Big NHS Singalong Live: Toyah is taking part in this celebration of 70 years of the NHS! – On Wednesday 4th July we will celebrate 70 years of the NHS as talented ​NHS staff, famous faces and people right across the country come together to sing a special version of The Beatles classic ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ live on ITV’s one off televised event – The Big NHS Singalong Live – Continue reading…

• Toyah @ Twitter: “Joining The Big NHS Singalong Live at Abbey Rd Studios tonight for ITV 9pm ….. let’s break that world record! Good Luck all” – Continue reading…

• Vulture Hound: ‘As long as the music’s loud enough..’ – Jubilee (Film Review): Punk rebellion combined with the juxtaposition of royal mystical ambience is what makes this film rather strange yet special at the same time. Derek Jarman depicts a rather fantastical manic portrayal which harmoniously emphasises the dramatic change of youth movement within the 1970’s era of Britain – Continue reading…

• Worcester News: One Week to go until Worcester Stands Tall Launch: Final preparations are under way for the launch of an art trail that will see 30 giraffes placed around Worcester – The large sculptures have been decorated by artists both from the local area and across the UK, while one is designed by singer and actress Toyah Willcox – Continue reading…

• Wild In Art: Celebrated singer designs giraffe for trail: Artwork designed by celebrated singer and actress Toyah Willcox has been used to decorate a giraffe sculpture for the Worcester Stands Tall trail. The prolific performer, whose career has spanned more than 40 years, themed her design around the idea of ‘making a wish’ – with the Giraffe covered in stars, animals and children – (Photo © Worcester Stands Tall) Continue reading…

• Beacon: Relive the Good Times – Jack Up The 80s: This year’s Jack Up The 80s takes place on August 11th and 12th at Smallbrook Stadium, Ryde. The stellar line up includes Grammy award-winning music legend Leo Sayer, soul sensations Shalamar, British pop rock group T’Pau, punk princess Toyah Willcox, Jaki Graham, an exclusive DJ set from Martin Kemp, the one and only Chesney Hawkes, Brother Beyond and many more – Continue reading…

It’s hard to believe that Punk is well over 40 years old, largely heralded by the release of the Sex Pistols ‘Anarchy in the UK’, in the Britain at any rate. Punk meant different thing to different people: to the Sex Pistols and The Clash it was a working-class reaction or counter-reaction, to Malcolm McLaren it was a marketing ploy and to the likes of Vivienne Westwood it was a fashion statement. For art film director Derek Jarman it became an anarchic artistic statement.

Of course Jarman himself was not a punk, but he certainly tapped into the spirit of the age and was even able to insert his own brand of camp into the punk scene with his film Jubilee (1978). The BFI release of Jubilee is released in addition to the BFI’s recent 6 film box-set release, ‘Derek Jarman Volume One: 1972 – 1986’ to observe the films 40 year anniversary.

The narrative of the film is sometimes hard to follow, but makes more statements than having any narrative or even making much in the way of sense. It opens with Queen Elizabeth I (Jenny Runacre) being transported to 1970s London by her occultish aide, Dr. John Dee (Richard O’Brien) and find a place riven with political and social unrest. We are then introduced to some of the key figures in the film: punk girls Mad (Toyah Willcox) and Amyl-Nitrate (Jordan), along with Kid (Adam Ant, real name Stuart Goddard), Crabs (Nell Campbell), Chaos (Hermine Demoriane) and Bod (Runacre again in a dual role). They get up to all sorts in the flat and include killing a one-night stand in a asphyxiation game. All sorts of adventures take place including starting a punk band called Scum while revolt and social unrest, including police brutality increases.

• Continue reading at Filmwerk.

Jubilee, celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, is showing at The Electric Cinema in Birmingham on Saturday 28th July at 5.30pm. Click below for further info.

Derek Jarman’s apocalyptic fantasia Jubilee couldn’t have been made in any other decade than the 1970s, shot through with punk aesthetics and featuring turns from Adam Ant, Siousxie & The Banshees and Toyah Willcox.

Filmed during the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee, Jarman’s film sees Elizabeth I and her alchemist Dr John Dee conjure up Shakespeare’s sprite Ariel, who sends them travelling through time to a brutal dystopian version of 1970s London where violent girl gangs roam the capital and Westminster cathedral has been turned into a gay disco club.

Sticking two bloodied fingers up to the establishment, Jubilee is a gloriously messy affair that’s as petty and nihilistic as the punk movement it aimed to simultaneously represent and satirise on screen, whilst Rocky Horror fans will get a thrill from seeing Nell Campbell and Richard O’Brien in Jarman’s eccentric cast.

BFI to release Derek Jarman’s ‘Jubilee’ in a 40th Anniversary Dual Format Edition on 18 June 2018

Following its inclusion in the BFI box set, Jarman Volume One: 1972-1986, BFI is set to release Derek Jarman‘s shocking cult classic, Jubilee, in a standalone 40th Anniversary Dual Format Edition release on 18 June 2018.

The film stars Jenny Runacre, Ian Charleson, Jordan, Nell Campbell, and Linda Spurrier, alongside a host of punk rockers including Toyah Willcox and Adam Ant.

The  40th Anniversary Blu-ray presentation is a 2K remaster taken from the original camera negatives.

In Jubilee Queen Elizabeth I (Jenny Runacre) and her occult aide Dr John Dee (Richard O’Brien) travel into the future, encountering the megalomania of big business as well as gangs of violent, marauding killers.

The mythological past and bleak future converge on the sparse grey streets of London in Jarman’s cult classic of the punk era, accompanied by electrifying punk rock numbers delivered by Jayne County and Adam Ant.

• Continue reading at The Arts Shelf. See further info and details on the Special Features. Pre-order the Jubilee: 40th Anniversary Dual Edition for a reduced price at Amazon.

When Queen Elizabeth I (Jenny Runacre) asks her court alchemist John Dee (Richard O’Brien) to show her the future of England she is transported forward 400 years to 1978. She arrives to discover a post-apocalyptic society on the brink of collapse where girl gangs rove the streets indulging in casual murder, the police are openly fascistic, and public opinion is manipulated by all-powerful media moguls.

Forty years on from its first release Derek Jarman’s Jubilee remains the quintessential punk film, a daring and unique vision, featuring many icons of the punk era including festival guest Toyah Willcox, Little Nell, Wayne Country, Jordan, Adam Ant and many more.

You can attend the May 5th 7pm screening of Jubilee for free if purchasing a ticket for Toyah Willcox In Conversation at 5pm the same day. Call the box office on 01332 290606 to claim this offer.

• Continue reading at Derby QUAD. View the full programme at the Derby Film Festival website. Full info on/Book tickets for Toyah Willcox in Conversation taking place on Saturday 5th May at DFF.