Toyah Willcox to star “in way you’ve never seen her before” in short film written by Lewes resident
Actress Toyah Willcox has just finished filming a new short film written by a Lewes resident.
The punk icon stars in Louise Monaghan’s ‘Weightless’, telling the story of Maureen, a woman alone on a beach, facing her inner demons and battle with her body. The film is Louise’s debut and was shot on the Isle of Wight by director Lois Norman, known for her award-winning art-house work and stories from female perspectives.
Punk princess and cult actress Toyah on the Isle of Wight filming new short film
Filming took place in Freshwater and Ventnor with women in the top four roles; writer, director, producer and actor
As reported by News OnTheWight back in August, punk princess and cult actress Toyah has been on the Isle of Wight this week, filming in Freshwater Bay and on Ventnor beach.
She stars in a new short film called ‘Weightless’ produced by Ventnor resident Rowena Amos and her film company, 9 of Cups Productions.
It is written by Lewes based playwright Louise Monaghan, previous winner of the coveted Papatango Theatre prize and directed by Lois Norman who is known for her award-winning art-house work and stories from female perspectives.
Toyah in Ventnor and Freshwater for new short film Weightless
Punk princess and cult actress Toyah has been visiting the Isle of Wight this week, filming in Freshwater Bay and on Ventnor beach.
She stars in a new short film, Weightless, produced by Ventnor resident Rowena Amos and her film company 9 of Cups Productions.
It is written by Lewes based playwright Louise Monaghan, previous winner of the coveted Papatango Theatre prize, and directed by Lois Norman who is known for her award-winning art-house work and stories from female perspectives.
The film has a host of well-known Isle of Wight names attached to it, stills photographer Gianpaolo Mario Giancovich, musician JC Grimshaw, and Angelina Grimshaw working with the crew on costumes.
Toyah Willcox to star in Weightless, a short film being shot on the Isle of Wight
A fantastic coup for Ventnorian Rowena Amos, as Toyah Willcox is confirmed for a new short film being shot on the Isle of Wight next month
Congratulations are in order for the powerhouse Ventnor resident, Rowena Amos, who has just announced that she’s secured the musician, actress and presenter, Toyah Willcox, for her next short film.
Weightless will be filmed on the Isle of Wight in Ventnor and Freshwater at the end of September 2022.
“Legendary punk princess and cult actress”
Rowena is incredibly excited about securing the “legendary punk princess and cult actress”, Toyah for the role.
Toyah’s career in music, acting and presenting spans 40 years, during which she had eight Top 40 singles and a prolific 20 albums. She’s married to the founder and guitarist of the progressive rock group King Crimson, Robert Fripp, who thousands enjoyed watching perform with Toyah during Lockdown via YouTube.
Give Them Wings review – down but not out in Darlington
Daniel Watson and Toyah Willcox shine as a disabled man and his doughty mam
Give Them Wings is the biopic of Paul Hodgson, who seven months after he was born in 1965 was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. If that wasn’t bad enough, he survived his precarious childhood to become a devout fan of Durham’s hapless Darlington FC – it’s criminal that this low-budget British indie wasn’t titled Give Them Wingers.
An ex-civil servant and now a screenwriter and producer, Hodgson has spent his life confined to a wheelchair and hampered by a speech impediment. Directed by onetime Bond heavy Sean Cronin (who cast himself as a football thug), the film version of Hodgson’s 2021 memoir isn’t a world-beater, but it is a crowd-pleasing underdog with guts, grit and an admirable streak of unsentimental humour.
Set in the late 1980s, Hodgson’s story of striving unfolds in the drab Northern terrain familiar from early ‘60s realist films, the so-called British New Wave.
Toyah Willcox film telling disabled Quakers fan’s incredible life story to premiere in Darlington
Give Them Wings is set to premiere at Darlington’s Vue Cinema on July 16 to honour the writer’s hometown and the film’s location
A feature film based on the life story of a disabled Quakers fan will premiere at Darlington Vue Cinema on July 16. Starring Toyah Willcox, Give Them Wings chronicles the journey of Paul Hodgson, who was left disabled after being diagnosed with childhood meningitis.
Darlington born Mr Hodgson was diagnosed with the illness at just 10 months-old and his parents were told he would never move or speak. The now 57-year-old has defied all odds by becoming an award-winning novelist, film producer and screenwriter and Give Them Wings tells the story of his journey.
The London ‘Leicester Square’ premiere for Give Them Wings is happening on Thursday 28th July at 6:30pm. The film will be released on all platforms on August 1st. Click below for more details.
Quadrophenia Reunited – 40 Years On: Sky Arts: Saturday 2nd July: 00.30am
Lauren Laverne hosts a one-off special bringing the stars of Quadrophenia together. Featuring reminiscing, interviews, a table-read of the script and plenty of surprises.
Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Saturday 2nd July: 2am
Celebrity fans and cast members come together to shed light on the making of Quadrophenia and explore the legacy that the cult film has left behind, 40 years after its release.
As well as the aforementioned nomination for Best Actor In A Female Role in a Feature Film by The Richard Harris International Film Festival, Toyah was awarded a Judges Special Mention Award for her role in Give Them Wings. The 2021 Awards were announced on Friday Evening, May 6th, 2022 at 8pm Irish time via a You Tube premiere.
• Click below to see the full list of award winners. Browse our Give Them Wingsnews archive.
Toyah guested on Billy Sloan’s BBC Radio Scotland show on Saturday night. This was a special on The Who, and Toyah chats about the band, Quadrophenia – how she got a part in the film and her character, Monkey – and more!
It’s a special on The Who with Billy in conversation with Roger Daltrey, talking about his incredible career as frontman with the band for over 50 years. Billy also talks to Who fans who reveal just why they love the band. These famous admirers include John Lydon, Jon Fratelli, Toyah, James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, Lulu and former Who drummer Kenny Jones. All laced with a great Who soundtrack.
• Listen at BBC Sounds. Toyah’s interview begins at approximately 24 minutes into the show and runs for around 12 minutes. Toyah also chooses her favourite song by The Who.
In Extremis – The movie you’ve been looking for this Halloween weekend! From Director Steve Stone with a cameo from Toyah Willcox. Click below to watch Toyah talk about In Extremis.
Just in time for the spookiest night of the year, comes Toyah’s spookiest ever film. The Ghosts Of Borley Rectory is now available to buy on DVD or Digital Download.
Directed by Steven M Smith, Toyah plays Estelle Roberts, a spiritualist medium in the new film. It also stars Toby Wynn-Davies, Julian Sands, Colin Baker and Christopher Ellinson.
The Ghosts Of Borley Rectory, starring Julian Sands, Colin Baker, Toyah Willcox and Christopher Ellison is released on DVD and Digital Download on 4th October 2021, in time for Halloween! Toyah plays Estelle Roberts, a spiritualist medium, in the film directed by Steven M Smith.
• View a selection of production photos from The Ghost Of Borley Rectory, here, and watch the trailer below.
90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest: Robin Ince on Aaaaaaaah!
Special guest Robin Ince presents Steve Oram’s 79 minute opus Aaaaaaaah!
London Podcast Festival 2021
The podcast that celebrates films under 90 minutes long returns to Kings Place with a brand new live show! Sam is curating a fictional film festival. He’ll accept almost anything, but the movie must not be longer than 90 minutes.
Each episode a special guest selects a length appropriate movie and discuss why it should be included in the festival’s line up.
For this live edition of the show, we will be joined by comedian, writer and fellow podcaster Robin Ince (The Infinite Monkey Cage, Book Shambles with Robin and Josie).
We will watch Robin’s chosen film, Aaaaaaaah!, together on the big screen and discuss the film with Robin during our live podcast recording straight after.
Swipe Right has swiped three awards at The Fortean Film Festival 2021, including: The Gold Award for Best Supporting Performance – Actress Toyah Willcox.
The film also won: The Gold Award for Best Psychological Thriller; and The Silver Award for Best Trailer.
Amazing news! Congratulations to Toyah. Perfect news to end to a great week for Toyah!
Toyah Willcox to star “in way you’ve never seen her before” in short film written by Lewes resident
