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.
Toyah is currently working on three film projects; 3 Sides Of The Coin, Kaleidoscope Man and Aaaaaaaah! – View more details on all three at The Official Toyah Willcox Website.
This looks incredible. Kaleidoscope Man by Director Simon Cox. Take a look and maybe lend your support. Find full details on this exciting new film project at Indiegogo.
Help us complete the most AMBITIOUS, most EXCITING, most ENJOYABLE UK Indie sci-fi movie Ever… Meet some of our cast: Lucy Drive as Mandy Dunn, Toyah Willcox as Clare Dove, Raine McCormack as Freddie Dunn, Ben Shockley as Billy McCoy.
The Corn is Green: True Entertainment: Sunday 2nd February: 6.00am
Academy Award winner Katharine Hepburn stars as a schoolteacher determined to help the people of a turn-of-the-century Welsh mining town. With Ian Saynor, Bill Fraser, Patricia Hayes, Anna Massey, Artro Morris, Dorothea Phillips, Toyah Willcox, Huw Richards, Bryn Fon, Dyfan Roberts and Robin John. Directed by: George Cukor (1979).
• The Tempest @ BFI: Tickets now on sale for this event, which includes a live Q&A by Toyah at the BFI Southbank Cinema on Wednesday 12th February 2014 : Derek Jarman’s terrific third feature is brooding and darkly laden with heavily symbolic imagery – More info here…
• Digital Spy: Splash!: Toyah Willcox makes her way to the board – View here…
• The Fashionatress: My first ladies of Punk!: One of alternative fashions true style chameleons, You just didn’t know what Toyah would be wearing next! Bold and brash she did her own thing with her wardrobe. ‘Outlandish’ was the word Toyah Willcox and her style statement making costumes – View here…
• Classic Rock: Blockheads ask fans for chart help: Last year the band ran a successful crowd-funding campaign to cover the cost of making three videos for Same Horse Different Jockey. They used the money to create a series of spoof soap opera episodes called Dun Punkin, featuring old friends Toyah Willcox and Topper Headon – Continue reading…
• Liverpool Sound & Vision: Hue And Cry, Big Country And Toyah Willcox Amongst The Highlights Of New Season Of Music At Eric’s – Continue reading…
• The Garstang Courier: Some Grand Nights Out: Toyah brings her band to the Grand for the first time on Easter Saturday, April 19 – Continue reading…
• Chilfest 2014: Tickets for this Hertfordshire festival are now on sale. Toyah plays a full-band gig on July 5th – More info here… (Thanks to Kev Tucker)
The Corn is Green: True Entertainment: Thursday 23rd January: 3.00pm
Academy Award winner Katharine Hepburn stars as a schoolteacher determined to help the people of a turn-of-the-century Welsh mining town. With Ian Saynor, Bill Fraser, Patricia Hayes, Anna Massey, Artro Morris, Dorothea Phillips, Toyah Willcox, Huw Richards, Bryn Fon, Dyfan Roberts and Robin John. Directed by: George Cukor (1979).
The trailer for 3 Sides Of The Coin is now available to watch online at toyahwillcox.com and You Tube: A short film by Tom Lawes, produced by Electric Flix. Stars Jo Woodcock, Colin Buchanan, Toyah Willcox, Patrice Naiambana.
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”.
• 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…
