Toyah Willcox joins Lorraine on the sofa to talk about the 35th anniversary of the film Quadrophenia, in which she starred alongside Sting, Ray Winstone, Leslie Ash and Phil Daniels.
The book marking the 35th anniversary of the release of the film, Quadrophenia: A Way Of Life – Inside The Making Of Britain’s Greatest Youth Film, by Simon Wells is out now.
Catch up on Lorraine with ITV Player
• Continue reading at itv.com.
The book marking the 35th anniversary of the release of the film, Quadrophenia: A Way Of Life – Inside The Making Of Britain’s Greatest Youth Film, by Simon Wells is published today.
It’s 35 years since the film Quadrophenia first hit the world’s cinema screens. Jimmy the Mod’s search for identity against the backdrop of the May Bank Holiday riots of the 1960′s, is regarded as the finest example of a British “youth” movie and a warmly remembered timepiece.
As the generation that first saw it now approach their fifties with teenagers of their own, Quadrophenia has become a glorious benchmark for their own youthful excesses, hopes, dreams and nostalgia. To critics, admirers and casual observers, it’s intriguing: what makes a 30 plus year-old film like Quadrophenia so appealing? And similarly, why do people return to it time and time again?
For the first time, QUADROPHENIA… A WAY OF LIFE explores the making of Britain’s finest youth film and its subsequent influence on popular culture. With interviews with principal cast members, director Franc Roddam, scriptwriter Martin Stellman and other involved in the creation of the film, this is the definitive account of Britain’s greatest cult movie.
• View further details and buy the book at Countdown Books.
Film Maker Profile: Simon Cox – Kaleidoscope Man
Simon Cox has worked in the UK TV and Film industry for over 20 years for the BBC, Channel four and five as well as directing a feature film of his own and is now attempting to make Independent film history by writing and directing a full-on sci-fi thriller – Kaleidoscope Man:
When psychiatrist and father-to-be Thomas Dunn’s patients begin to share terrifying visions of the destruction of planet Earth a chain reaction is begun which could threaten everything that he holds dear. He and a group of his patients must battle their own demons as well as invading aliens in Earth’s last stand.
• Continue reading at Graham Inman.com. Read another new interview with Simon Cox, at The Cutting Room Floor.
Help Kaleidoscope Man save the Earth…
Kaleidoscope Man is a fantastic new sci-fi movie we’re making – And we’re making it in phases. For phase 1,2 & 3 we sucessfully crowd-funded over £19,000 and have shot various scenes that fit around the main story and characters.
We are delighted to let you know that phase 4 is now live:
• Visit the Kaleidoscope Man website.
The Crimson Queen herself, Toyah Willcox, has teased further information about Steve Oram‘s début directorial feature, Aaaaaaaah!
Since it was announced in January, news of the production has been thin on the ground. Filming was due to start in April, but was delayed for some unknown reason – potentially the top-notch cast and their hectic schedules!
The film, in which Oram, Willcox, Tom Meeten, Julian Barratt, Tony Way, Waen Shepherd, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Hannah Hoeskra will communicate entirely in ape-like grunts, shrieks and moans, promises to be a typically surreal treat from the unique mind of Steve Oram.
• Continue reading at The Velvet Onion.
Another couple of airings of, the legendary, Quadrophenia this week, and next!
Quadrophenia: ITV4: Wed 4th June: 11pm
Quadrophenia: ITV4: Tue 10th June: 11.05pm
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.
• View all of Dreamscape’s more recent Quadrophenia news updates here. Difficult to believe this movie was shot 35 years ago now.
This decade-spanning film series, presented in partnership with Ikon Gallery on their 50th anniversary, moves on to the 1970s and Derek Jarman’s punk poem. Preceded by a video interview with Toyah Willcox and a short talk by Chris Phipps.
• Visit the Live Brum website.
Flatpack Film Festival: Jubilee: The 1978 film is showing at the Library of Birmingham Studio Theatre, Saturday 14th June at 7.30pm – Further info here… (<< Dreamscape’s previous news post related to this)
Three films in which Toyah has prominent roles/appearances are showing in Canada in June and July, as part of the Queer Pagan Punk: The Films of Derek Jarman Season (June 12-July 5) at The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Glitterbug is screened on Friday 13th June, Jubilee on Saturday 14th June and The Tempest on Saturday 5th July. Further info by clicking below.
Indie Film Focus: Director Simon Cox Shoots “Kaleidoscope Man” Star Lucy Drive’s First Scene
Kaleidoscope Man is an indie science fiction thriller — which involves an alien invasion of Earth — currently in production by its writer-director-producer, Simon Cox, via his UK-based Alphastar Productions company. This is a film that Simon has been working on for quite some time. He is currently in Phase 4 of shooting, having gotten about 35% in the can so far. The production is practically 100% crowdfunded — the current Indiegogo campaign aims to fund the remainder of production, including (if possible) scenes on an alien planet (to be shot on location in the Canary Islands).
• Continue reading at Frisco Kid At The Movies.
• The Advertiser: Crimson queen ready to reign with set of her greatest hits: A news article on Toyah’s recent Crimson Queen gig in Blyth, and forthcoming Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at The Duchess, York – Continue reading…
• Cat On The Wall Music & Culture Webzine: Whitby Goth Weekend – Day One – Friday 25th April 2014: Toyah Willcox: Her vocals were perfectly placed, her communication with the audience was excellent, the music itself was replicated to a tee (complete with plenty of synth, of course) and, ultimately, she’s about as practised live as a 
musician can get. She knows how to perform and uses the experience well without becoming the slightest bit robotic. I’ve never seen an audience so adoring before. It’s actually quite an incredible sight – Continue reading…
• Flatpack Film Festival: Jubilee: The 1978 film is showing at the Library of Birmingham Studio Theatre, Saturday 14th June at 7.30pm – Further info here…
• Crimson Queen/Greatest Hits…Live!: Tickets are now on sale for Toyah’s gig at West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-On-Sea – Buy/View info here…
• Toyah Live 2014: Browse Toyah’s full diary of upcoming Crimson Queen/Greatest Hits, Acoustic, Up Close & Personal, festival and PA dates. There are numerous gigs listed at The Official Gigs Page…
• Toyah on Twitter: “Breakfast in Seattle overlooking Puget Sound… Planning 2015! xxx” – Follow Toyah at Twitter…
• The Watchers Film Show Blog: Shakespeare On Film: The Tempest: This is my favourite of Shakespeare’s plays. There are two particularly interesting film version of this lyrical, beautiful and poignant play. Derek Jarman’s 1979 version, starring Heathcote Williams as Prospero and Toyah Willcox as Miranda (above), is full of the usual striking and out-there imagery you would expect for a Jarman film – Continue reading…
Jubilee is showing a couple of times this month at the National Media Museum, Bradford, on Wednesday 7th and Sunday 11th May.
Often referred to as Britain’s first official punk movie, Jubilee sees Queen Elizabeth I travelling through time to late ’70s Britain discovering a desolate and brutal wasteland where life seems pointless and is held to be cheap. Pop and cultural icons of the time including Toyah, Adam Ant, Suzie and the Banshees and Jordan appear in cameo roles and provide the soundtrack in this iconic piece full of vitriol and anger. With striking parallels to Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange it’s a tasteless and disturbing snapshot of society that was, at the time, genuinely shocking.
• View further details at the National Media Museum website.
The Power Of Three, in which Toyah plays one of the lead characters, is now available on DVD. Please click below for details on contacting, the film’s writer, Ann Cameron for purchase info.
The poster/advert for the release of Nine to Five by Adam & Toyah (aka Maneaters) in 1982. Both objected to this “cash-in” release at the time but it’s an interesting item of memorabilia all the same, bringing together two of the 80s most interesting and colourful icons. (Thanks to Andy)
• Kate O’Mara: I was very sad to hear of the death of Kate on Sunday. Fantastic in Doctor Who, Absolutely Fabulous and countless other TV, theatre and film roles. Toyah tweeted a tribute to Kate: “Darling Kate O’Mara! God bless you and thank u for ur friendship and inspiring spirit.”
• Telegraph: Kate O’Mara: In Pictures: Includes a publicity photo featuring Joan Sims as Mrs White, Kate O’Mara as Mrs Peacock and Toyah Willcox as Miss Scarlet from the 1990 TV series Cluedo – View the photo tribute here…
• Jubilee in New York: The legendary film is showing at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music May 30 — Jun 1, as part of their Punk Rock Girls festival: “It’s almost an understatement to say that Jubilee has a lot going for it.” – Time Out, London – View more details here…
• Great British Alternative Music Festival: Watch/listen to Toyah perform ‘It’s A Mystery’ at the festival, on Sunday, at You Tube…
• Toyah’s Tattoo: Toyah instagrammed a photo of her new tattoo yesterday, 1st April…
• Happy Birthday Chris: Sending Best Wishes to Chris Wong, who is celebrating his birthday today.
Toyah, at the BFI’s Derek Jarman Retrospective last month, discusses working with Jarman on The Tempest, in which she plays Miranda, and considers the director’s legacy. Click below to watch the video at the BFI website.
Toyah was also interviewed at the BFI about Jarman’s Jubilee. More info on that here.
A short interview with Toyah, from the BFI, discussing Jubilee, Jarman and her character in the film, Mad: “I wanted to be a tidal wave.” Actor Toyah Willcox discusses her role as pyromaniac punk Mad in Derek Jarman’s Jubilee (1978). Click below to watch.
New science fiction film shot in Birmingham city centre features humans being zapped in Victoria Square
It’s like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, with screaming crowds running for their lives from alien spaceships. But look closer and the out-of-this world invaders zapping fleeing terrified humans are flying above the streets of Birmingham.
Simon Cox has written and directs Kaleidoscope Man, which is being shot in the city – and stars Kings Heath-born Toyah Willcox. The movie features Victoria Square as the backdrop for one scene where 700 extras flee the alien laser strike.
• Continue reading at the Birmingham Mail.
Toyah is a special guest this evening at the British Film Institute (BFI Southbank), as part of their two-month Derek Jarman retrospective season, marking the 20th anniversary of the Director/Writer’s death. Toyah will discuss Jarman’s 1979 adaptation of The Tempest, in which she starred as Miranda and was subsequently nominated for Best Newcomer at the 1980 Evening Standard Awards for her performance in the role. The film has become another landmark in Toyah’s long and varied career. Click below for further info at www.toyahwillcox.com.
Simon Cox is seeking financial backing for ambitious sci-fi thriller ‘The Kaleidoscope Man’
Film-maker Simon Cox is seeking financial backing for an ambitious sci-fi thriller, which he says “is starting to look like a Hollywood blockbuster.” Simon is based at Nuneaton’s Centenary Business centre and already has half of the project in the can, but now needs investors to come on board to help him complete the next phase.
His feature-length movie is called ‘The Kaleidoscope Man’ and last year he transformed his studio into the set of an International Space Station, while another scene had 700 people screaming through the streets of Birmingham from an onslaught of attacking alien spaceships and outdoor shooting has also taken place in Kenilworth.
…Eighties pop star Toyah Willcox and TV drama actess Lucy Drive both have parts in “Kaleidoscope Man” which is being put together through Simon’s Alpha Star Productions company.
• Continue reading at the Coventry Telegraph. View a photo Simon posted at Facebook of himself and Toyah. Become involved by donating to help the film progress at Indiegogo.
Yesterday Toyah visited the Derek Jarman: Pandemonium exhibition by King’s College London, currently taking place at Somerset House, saying it was: Insightful, inspiring & like visiting a well loved friend x (Photo © Toyah Willcox Ltd)
Derek Jarman: Pandemonium is an immersive exhibition that celebrates the life and work of this truly innovative and multi-faceted artist. A student of humanities at King’s from 1960 to 1963, Jarman went on to become one of the most important creative practitioners of his generation and a crucial voice in gay politics in Britain. Painter, filmmaker, set designer, diarist, poet, gardener, activist – Jarman’s work across many areas and media was distinguished for its continual innovation and sense of daring. This exhibition, marking the 20th anniversary of his death from an HIV-related illnesses in February 1994, captures the unruly spirit of his work and his artistic times.
Derek Jarman: Pandemonium
Thursday 23 January – Sunday 9 March 2014
Inigo Rooms, Somerset House East Wing
Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS
Open daily, 12.00 – 18.00 (until 20.00 on Thursdays)
Free Admission
Actress and post-punk legend Toyah Willcox has been confirmed to star in Steve Oram‘s directorial debut, Aaaaaaaah!
We first told you about the film a few weeks ago, after hearing it discussed in hushed tones for some time, but the news of Toyah’s casting came to us twice over yesterday evening – first via Oram himself at Julian Barratt’s live show, then via Toyah’s web-master as the news was revealed on her official website.
Typically oddball, the film will contain no spoken dialogue, with the cast – Oram, Tom Meeten, Julian Barratt, Tony Way, Waen Shepherd, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Hannah Hoeskra and now, Toyah Willcox, will communicate like monkeys.
• Continue reading at The Velvet Onion.
