Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Derek Jarman (1942-1994) is known as one of our most poetic and anarchic film-makers and artists, as well as a prominent gay rights activist. He started his career as a stage designer, working as Ken Russell’s production designer for “The Devils” 1971.

Art Fund needs to raise £3.5m by 31 March 2020 to purchase Jarman’s Dungeness house, Prospect Cottage, and to establish a permanently funded programme to conserve and maintain the building, its contents and its garden for the future. More than 25 years after his death, Prospect Cottage continues to be a site of pilgrimage for people from all over the world who come to be inspired by its stark beauty a Jarman’s legacy. The cottage and its contents are now being sold following the death in 2018 of Keith Collins, Jarman’s close companion in his final years, to whom he bequeathed the cottage.

More than 3,000 people have donated to the Art Fund’s campaign to save Prospect Cottage in its first two weeks. Find out more and donate on the Art Fund website.

Book tickets for Glitterbug fundraising screening
To help with the cause to save Jarman’s cottage, we’re screening his 1993 film Glitterbug on Sunday 22 March at 4.30pm. The event will include a special introduction by Derek Brown, Art Director (The Garden). Glitterbug features Adam Ant, William S. Burroughs, Michael Clark, Duggie Fields, Derek Jarman, Andrew Logan, Genesis P-Orridge, Tilda Swinton and Toyah Willcox.

• Continue reading/Further info at the Electric Palace website. Visit the “Save Prospect Cottage” Art Fund campaign page here.

Doll House, the new horror film from 101 Films, directed by Steven M. Smith (Doll Cemetery, The Howling, The Doll Master, Haunted) and starring Toyah Willcox (Invasion Planet Earth, Quadrophenia), Mark Wingett (The Bill, Quadrophenia), Louisa Warren, Jennifer Leahey and Paul Danan (Hollyoaks, Are We Dead Yet?) is released on DVD and digital download on 23rd March.

Toyah plays Layla in the film, which is available to pre-order at Amazon now.

Synopsis: A care home for child runaways takes in a 12-year-old girl, found alone, late at night, on the street, whos only belongings are her Doll and mysterious Doll House. She refuses to speak and wont ever let go of her doll or doll house and the other children tease her. As the days pass, the residents start to disappear and seem to appear as tiny dolls inside the doll house. An evil entity haunts the doll and doll house and is collecting the souls of the children for its ultimate cause, to be alive.

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.

Invasion Planet Earth Exclusive Clip: Hitch a Ride to The Mother Ship

Screen Anarchy is pleased to present to you this morning an exclusive from the UK indie sci fi flick, Invasion Planet Earth.

A micro-budget sci-fi UK film that’s been 20 years in the making, Invasion Planet Earth is much more than a British Independence Day. With filmmaking efforts reminiscent of early Roger Corman and a nod to the sci-fi programs of the ’70s and ’80s like Doctor Who and Buck Rogers as well as the more recent Torchwood, Invasion Planet Earth will appeal not only to science fiction audiences but fans of multiple genres.

In our exclusive clip Thomas hitches a ride into the Mother Ship. We get this sort of giddy excitement watching this clip and its can-do spirit.

• Continue reading at Screen Anarchy.

Anchoress, the 1993 Chris Newby directed film, with Christopher Eccleston, Pete Postlethwaite, Natalie Morse and Toyah, is airing on London Live a few times over the next 10 days, beginning tonight.

Anchoress: London Live: Friday 24th January: 10pm
Anchoress: London Live: Monday 27th January: 11pm
Anchoress: London Live: Monday 3rd February: 0.00am
A peasant girl develops a fascination with a statue of the Virgin Mary, which prompts a priest to sentence her to be walled up in the church. When she discovers her mother is to be tried as a witch, she resolves to break free from her imprisonment, even if it costs her her life. Medieval drama, starring Natalie Morse, Toyah Willcox, Pete Postlethwaite, Christopher Eccleston, Gene Bervoets, Brenda Bertin. Director: Chris Newby

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.

• The Spring: Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: Did you know that Toyah has had 8 UK Top 40 singles? Can you name them all? Which is your favourite? See Toyah up close and personal at The Spring this Friday, only a few standing tickets available – Continue reading…

• Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: PizzaExpress Live (Holborn): Household name, pop icon, TV presenter, and stage/screen actress (Calamity Jane, Cabaret, Peter Pan, Jubilee, Quadophenia) Toyah comes to PizzaExpress Live, with her ‘Acoustic, Up Close & Personal’ show – Continue reading/Book tickets…

• In The Court Of The Crimson Queen – UK Tour: Toyah plays Wolverhampton Slade Rooms this Saturday, 18th January. Tickets come with a free meet & greet on first come, first served basis. Tickets available here…

• NEConnected: Electric Ladies of the 80s – Toyah and Hazel bring on two north-east shows: Innovators of post punk and new wave during their eighties heyday, much-loved artists, Toyah, 61, and Hazel O’Connor, 64, are delighted to join forces to bring forth their new tour, Electric Ladies of the 80s – Continue reading…

• Back To The Movies: Doll House, a UK micro budget indie horror movie is set to get a UK release and we had the honor of seeing it very early indeed. A move that cost just £25,000 to make! – Continue reading…

• Doll House: Watch the trailer at You Tube…

• Noel’s House Party: BBC One – Season 7: Episode 19 / 14.03.98: Special guests include Les Dennis, 911, Sian Lloyd, Nick Owen, Shane Richie, John Stapleton and Toyah Willcox – Continue watching…

• Adam’s Nostalgic Memories: CBBC Memories – Barmy Aunt Boomerang: This is a CBBC sitcom with a fantasy twist that I only remember watching occasionally at the time, but looking back it is an interesting show, so I thought that it was worth featuring here – Continue reading…

Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Friday 24th January: 9pm
Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Sunday 26th January: 11pm
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. (Photo © Sky Arts)

Anchoress, the 1993 Chris Newby directed film, with Christopher Eccleston, Pete Postlethwaite, Natalie Morse and Toyah, is airing on London Live later this month.

Anchoress: London Live: Friday 24th January: 10pm
Anchoress: London Live: Monday 27th January: 11pm
A peasant girl develops a fascination with a statue of the Virgin Mary, which prompts a priest to sentence her to be walled up in the church. When she discovers her mother is to be tried as a witch, she resolves to break free from her imprisonment, even if it costs her her life. Medieval drama, starring Natalie Morse, Toyah Willcox, Pete Postlethwaite, Christopher Eccleston, Gene Bervoets, Brenda Bertin. Director: Chris Newby

Anchoress Info: Toyah plays the role of Pauline Carpenter in Anchoress, a 1993 British drama film directed by Chris Newby. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.

The screenplay is partly based on accounts of an historical female anchorite, Christine Carpenter, who was walled into her anchorhold in a village church in Surrey, England, in 1329. The story revolves around the girl’s mystical visions of the Virgin Mary, the Priest who walls her into his village church, and his dislike of her mother, a midwife whom he regards as a witch.

The film is shot in black-and-white and visually resembles the works of Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer, especially The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) – Continue reading at toyahwillcox.com.

Competition Time! Your chance to win Invasion Planet Earth on DVD!

British sci-fi film Invasion Planet Earth comes to DVD on 30 December, and I have three copies to give away. Entering is really easy – see below for details and T&Cs (this is a UK-only competition).

The movie has been a 20-year labour of love for writer-director Simon Cox, who ended up crowdfunding some of its budget. In the film, our planet, already on the brink of a world war, is faced with an alien invasion. Cox has big ideas and he’s painting them on a huge canvas, with the action moving from London streets to Manhattan to space.

• Continue reading/Enter the competition at Caution Spoilers.

Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Friday 20th December: 0.00am
Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: New Year’s Day: 10pm
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. (Photo © Sky Arts)

Invasion Planet Earth is now available to buy as a download across all digital platforms, including Sky Store, Amazon, iTunes, Virgin Media. The DVD is released on 30th December.

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.

Quadrophenia Reunited – 40 Years On: Sky Arts: Saturday 21st December: 1.15am
Quadrophenia Reunited – 40 Years On: Sky Arts: Christmas Eve: 3,30am
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 other surprises.

2019 has been an amazing 40th Anniversary year for Quadrophenia, with documentaries, reunion events, special screenings and more to celebrate. Rounding off the year is a revised “Complete Guide” book:

Quadrophenia (At 40) The Complete Guide by Layne Patterson | Specially revised & updated film only edition | Foreword by Franc Roddam. Afterword by Gary Shail

A percentage of royalties are being donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Following on from the book’s previous incarnation two years ago a new (film only) edition is now available to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the iconic film!

The new larger format is packed with many new pictures and newly gleaned information about the film that refuses to grow old gracefully! Following on from the previous book a further donation from the author’s royalties will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The author: Layne Patterson is based in Norfolk, having relocated from London in 2001, and is married to Liz, with three grown up sons and six grandchildren. This is Layne’s second solo book although he has previously contributed to two titles on his beloved Wealdstone FC.

• See further info/Buy the book at Amazon.

A selection from the numerous Invasion Planet Earth press clips, interviews and reviews published over the last few days. Stay updated by following Simon Cox at Twitter.

• Flatpack Festival: Interview – Simon Cox: Two decades ago, Nuneaton based filmmaker Simon Cox had an idea for a science fiction film called Kaleidoscope Man. Filmed on a shoestring budget with limited resources at locations across the Midlands, what ultimately became Invasion Planet Earth finally screens to audiences this month. We talked to Simon about an epic twenty year journey to pay homage to the sci-fi films he loved as a child – Continue reading…

• Britflicks Reviews: BritFlicks Reviews Simon Cox’s Imaginative Sci-Fi Invasion Planet Earth: A true one off from a very wide imagination… Coming from the mind of writer/director, Simon Cox, Invasion Planet Earth, is one of those films that is a true original. It was also made over 17 years, which by anyone’s standards is a long production line! However, the film is set very much in the here and now, but of course, the question does arise, ‘how much’ of it dates from 17 years ago – Continue reading…

• Midlands Movies: Invasion Planet Earth: A number of children in the 1980s recreating their favourite TV show ‘Kaleidoscope Man’ (this film’s previous title in fact) opens new sci-fi feature Invasion Planet Earth from Midlands director Simon Cox. This clever parody is a fun way to start a feature that contains more than its fair share of disaster and peril – Continue reading…

• Nevermore: Invasion Planet Earth – Review: Reading the history of this film made me more apprehensive than it did excited – Continue reading…

• Film Stories: Invasion Planet Earth review: Invasion Planet Earth review is a sci-fi movie made in the UK over the course of a decade – and it’s worth seeking out too – Continue reading…

• Dark Eyes Of London: Invasion Planet Earth (UK 2019: Dir Simon Cox): Imagine. You’re a filmmaker, maybe not in the first flush of youth. You’ve had one not very well publicised feature made years ago, but you have a project within you so ambitious in scope that it becomes an all consuming passion. But you have little resources, financially or technically, at your disposal, to realise the vision. So what do you do – Continue reading…

• Filmuforia: Invasion Planet Earth (2019): Director Simon Cox (Driven) has spent seventeen bringing this labour of love to the big screen, and his perseverance has paid off – Continue reading…

Toyah with Simon Cox at the screening of Invasion Planet Earth last night at The Electric Cinema, Birmingham. She tweeted “can’t wait to see Invasion Planet Earth“. (Photo © Electric Cinema)

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.

Invasion Planet Earth – in which Toyah has a role and also performs the end credits title song, Step Into The New World – available now as a digital single – is showing in numerous cinemas around the UK today. The film project has been a labour of love for its creator, Simon Cox. for many years. Click below for details on where you can see Invasion Planet Earth.

A four star review for Invasion Planet Earth, the film which is showing in cinemas for one day only this Thursday.

Almost a decade from script to screen, the labour of love that is Invasion Planet Earth is bold, ambitious, with tongue in cheek humour that occasionally pops up in an otherwise solid science-fiction drama. It will appeal to fans of the science fiction genre from all eras, particularly. It may be pitched, by marketing people, as a British Independence Day (there’s a nod to that in the dialogue), but it’s far from that as Simon Cox, writer and director, flits between drama, science fiction and action with deft awareness of just how preposterous his story is. The story does deliver a tale that has depth and weight amongst its familiar “aliens attack earth” trope, especially as the truth is revealed.

• Continue reading at Vulture Hound. Browse our Invasion Planet Earth news.