The first series of The Older Woman, the six-part radio drama which was originally broadcast in 1993, is currently airing again on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Toyah plays Elsa, alongside Martun Clunes and Zoë Wanamaker as Roy and Jane in this excellent, and slightly surreal, drama by Tony Bagley. Toyah also performs the theme song to The Older Woman.
The series, produced by Paul Schlesinger, also features David Troughton, Geoff McGivern, David Holt, Keith Drinkel and Melanie Hudson in a variety of roles.
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Monday 2nd July: 7am
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Monday 2nd July: 5pm
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Tuesday 3rd July: 5am
Episode 2 of 6. Can Roy impress Jane by joining a green pressure group? Meanwhile, Pavarotti appears in his dreams with some invaluable advice. Stars Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Clunes and Toyah Willcox. From January 1993.
• Below are a couple of Radio Times clippings with a little more detail about the series, published when The Older Woman originally aired in January 1993. (Thanks to Anthony Lewis)
The first series of The Older Woman, the six-part radio drama which was originally broadcast in 1993, begins airing again on BBC Radio 4 Extra from today.
Toyah plays Elsa, alongside Martun Clunes and Zoë Wanamaker as Roy and Jane in this excellent, and slightly surreal, drama by Tony Bagley. Toyah also performs the theme song to The Older Woman.
The series, produced by Paul Schlesinger, also features David Troughton, Geoff McGivern, David Holt, Keith Drinkel and Melanie Hudson in a variety of roles.
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Monday 25th June: 7am/5pm
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Tuesday 26th June: 5am
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Saturday 30th June: 12pm
Episode 1 of 6. Local hack journalist Roy Hitchcock meets his former English teacher, and sets out on a crusade to win her heart against all odds. Stars Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Clunes and Toyah Willcox. From January 1993.
• Below are a couple of Radio Times clippings with a little more detail about the series, published when The Older Woman originally aired in January 1993. (Thanks to Anthony Lewis)
• Live 2018: Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: Toyah makes a return visit to Fairkytes Arts Centre in Hornchurch tomorrow night to play a Sold Out Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date.
• Four From Toyah: The fantastic Telepathic Lover, from Toyah’s new EP, was included on Dark Night Of The Soul with Julie at WFMU on 19th May – See the full playlist…
• On the Radio: Still available to listen to or download: Only Artists/BBCR4 – The director and actor Alice Lowe meets the singer and actor Toyah Willcox – Listen here…
• Anthology Film Archives: Jubilee – Introduced by Tessa Hughes-Freeland: “This film just so typifies the zeitgeist in London immediately prior to my leaving. Seeing Jordan waiting for the bus on the Victoria Palace Road certainly livened up a dreary English day. Jarman’s films were a huge influence on me as a filmmaker, especially his experimental work.” –Tessa Hughes-Freeland – Continue reading…
• On the Radio: Still available to listen to: Sounds Of The 70s/BBCR2 – Toyah remembers being a punk in the 70s! – Listen here…
• Rock and Roll Dreams: The Crimson Queen – På første halvdel av åttitallet var Toyah blant undertegnedes absolutte favoritter, og nå, 35 år senere, står dama fortsatt høyt i kurs hos denne skribenten. Når Toyah Ann Willcox – som er hennes fulle navn – i dag fyller 60 år er det dermed på sin plass med et tilbakeblikk til storhetstiden, og med det suksessalbumet «Anthem» – Continue reading…
• On the Radio: Still available to listen to: Woman’s Hour/BBCR4 – Toyah discusses Jubilee, and her own life and work, both then and now – Listen here…
It’s Toyah’s 60th Birthday week… Listen to some retro Toyah interviews from throughout her 40 year career at Dreamscape’s Downloads section…
Listen to Beautiful Britain, presented by Toyah, at BBC iPlayer. (Photo © BBC)
Over the sound of ripping wax-strips, nail drills, clippers and trimmers, Toyah Willcox invites us to eavesdrop on usually private conversations taking place in hair and beauty salons across the UK.
We drop in on appointments at Totally Polished in Blackpool, The Topiary Salon in Basingstoke, Smith Hair Studio in Edmonton and Not Another Salon in London’s East End.
From holidays and bingo wins, to hospital appointments and bereavements – customers relish the opportunity to swap stories, gossip and enjoy an hour’s escape from the stresses of daily life. Beauticians and hairdressers are trusted confidantes, privy to shocking secrets, but they also provide an independent ear and a comforting shoulder to cry on.
For Toyah’s friend and hairdresser to the stars, Keith Wainwright MBE, a trip to the salon is also an important source of physical and social contact in an increasingly online world.
According to industry reports, women and men of all ages and means are spending increasing amounts of time, and money, at hair and beauty salons in the UK. British consumers spent an estimated 1.89 billion pounds on salon services in the last quarter of 2017. We find out why. A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4
• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre.
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4, presented by Toyah and produced by Victoria Ferran.
Beautiful Britain: BBC Radio 4: Fri 11th May: 11am
Over the sound of ripping wax-strips, nail drills, clippers and trimmers, Toyah Willcox invites us to eavesdrop on usually private conversations taking place in hair and beauty salons across the UK. (Duration: 30 minutes)
John Shuttleworth’s Lounge Music:
BBC Radio 4 Extra: Sunday 8th April: 11pm
Toyah Willcox. John Shuttleworth invites musical guests to his Sheffield home to sing one of his songs and one of their own, if they are lucky. Mary is not happy, as John has invited Toyah Willcox to the lounge and she is worried that Toyah will live up to her wild 80s image and wreak havoc in the house. (Episode 3, from July 2014)
Only Artists: BBC Radio 4: Wednesday 7th March: 9am/9.30pm
Alice Lowe and Toyah Willcox. Series in which two artists discuss creative questions. Director and actor Alice Lowe, acclaimed for slasher film Prevenge, meets Toyah Willcox who by the age of 20 had played the National Theatre as well as starring in Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee. (Series 4)
• Listen live at bbc.co.uk or catch up later on BBC iPlayer.
Toyah guested on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour yesterday. Listen to the, 45-minute, show at BBC iPlayer. (Photos © Toyah Willcox/BBC)
Toyah, Sandra Bernhard, Sister Helen Prejean
Toyah Willcox made her screen debut 40 years ago in Derek Jarman’s iconic punk film Jubilee. It’s now been adapted for the stage set in the social and political backdrop of today. She joins us to talk about disenfranchised youth, and her own life and work, both then and now.
Sister Helen Prejean is known around the world for her work to end the death penalty and has been instrumental in encouraging dialogue around the world and in shaping the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to all executions. She talks about her optimism that the death penalty will be abolished.
Sandra Bernhard began her career on the comedy circuit in the 1970s. She also starred alongside Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s King Of Comedy and played one of the first openly lesbian characters on American network television in the hit sitcom Roseanne. The performer, comedian and singer is also a pioneer of the one woman show. She joins Jane to talk about her new show Sandemonium at Ronnie Scott’s London.
Toyah shares her memories of growing up as the “only punk in the village” and finally finding her people at a Sex Pistols gig. In this candid interview with Johnnie, Toyah reflects on the challenges she faced as a young teenager: born with a twisted spine, one leg longer than the other, a club foot and no hip sockets, she spent many years undergoing painful operations and countless physical therapies. This never dimmed her spirit however, and she recalls a host of almost-careers including time spent as a department store hair model and a missed chance to be an ice skating superstar. After defeating the bullies at school, she carved out a niche for herself as a punk – before the term had even been invented.
Listen to Toyah guesting, and talking to host Johnnie Walker, on BBC Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 70s at BBC iPlayer by clicking below.
Toyah Willcox on the stage version of Derek Jarman’s controversial film “Jubilee” and actress Daniella Isaacs on her show about our obsession with raw food – Listen at BBC iPlayer by clicking below. (Photo © BBC)
Toyah will be a guest of Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 70s on Sunday 11 February. Toyah will discuss the beginnings of her career in the 1970s and revisiting the Derek Jarman film Jubilee which has been adapted for the stage and plays London’s Lyric Hammersmith this Spring.
Sounds Of The 70s: BBC Radio 2: Sunday 11th February: 3pm
Sounds Of The 70s: BBC Radio 2: Tuesday 13th February: 0.00am
Toyah shares her memories of growing up as the ‘only punk in the village’ and finally finding her people at a Sex Pistols gig.
Coming Soon to BBC Radio 4 – Toyah in conversation with Alice Lowe. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
Airing on BBC radio for the first time since it was originally broadcast in December 2012, Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas includes an interview with Toyah during this fascinating 30 minute special, discussing ‘Smash Hits’ in the early 1980s and also the memorable and iconic ‘Brave New World’ cover issue.
Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas:
BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Sat 23rd Dec: 7.30am/5.30pm | Xmas Eve: 5.30am
Neil Tennant had a life as a journalist before he became famous as a Pet Shop Boy. In fact, it was on a Smash Hits trip to New York that he had his big breakthrough with the record producer Bobby O.
Here, 30 years after his first stint on pop’s most successful and inventive magazine, Neil recalls the golden days of Smash Hits. We hear from founder and legendary magazine maker Nick Logan, editors David Hepworth and Mark Ellen, writers Miranda Sawyer and Sylvia Patterson, and from regular Smash Hits cover girl, Toyah.
We also sample a rare recording from the 1982 Christmas Flexidisc (a message from the stars) and probably Neil Tennant’s first recording – the music for a trailer advertising Smash Hits stickers.
Producer: Susan Marling. A Just Radio Ltd. production for BBC Radio 4.
Toyah guested on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme on Thursday afternoon, discussing Jubilee at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester (and Teletubbies) with Colin Paterson.
• The interview begins at around 46 minutes into the show and runs for approximately five minutes, including a very short play of It’s A Mystery. Listen at BBC iPlayer Radio.
Toyah guested on Becky Want’s BBC Radio Manchester show yesterday, chatting about Jubilee, turning 60, performing gigs all year, punk and more.
Becky speaks to Toyah Willcox about her return to the stage in Jubilee, an adaptation of the Derek Jarman film, which first came out for the Queen’s Jubilee.
• The interview begins at around 1hr 47m into the show, after a blast of It’s A Mystery, and runs for approximately 30 minutes (includes a break for news/music). Listen at BBC iPlayer Radio.
Diane Morgan Believes in Ghosts: BBC Radio 4 Extra
Saturday 28th October: 9am/7pm
Made for 4 Extra. Diane Morgan trawls the BBC archives for real-life tales of ghost-hunting, hauntings, and the unexplained. Diane is joined by guests who have all had paranormal experiences, including Toyah Willcox, Steve Punt and Maxine Peake. In the run-up to the transmission you can read more about some of the stories she uncovered here, from Toyah Willcox’s haunted house to the chilling apparition on the stairs in a hotel in Wales.
• Further info on Diane Morgan Believes in Ghosts here and here. The programme will be available to listen to BBC iPlayer Radio post-airing,
Listen to a short interview with Toyah from BBC Radio Manchester at Rewind North 2017, by clicking below.
Inheritance Tracks: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Saturday 22nd April: 2.10pm
Inheritance Tracks: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Sunday 23rd April: 2.10am
Toyah Willcox. Singer Toyah Wilcox has inherited ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and wants to pass on the track by Bjork, ‘Human Behaviour’.
Listen to The Reunion: Women of Punk at BBC iPlayer.
Sue MacGregor reunites five musicians who embraced the anarchy of punk music and created a unique style of their own.
For many young people, Britain in the late 1970s was a place without hope. Unemployment was high. The value of the pound was low and, despite the feminist activity of the early 1970s, the most many girls aspired to was to marry well and look good. Female role models were hard to fine – especially in music. The only all-girl troupes on Top of the Pops were Legs and Co. Then punk happened.
Women could dress how they liked, behave how they wanted and develop their own sound without being manipulated by the mostly male gatekeepers of the record industry. Young women who didn’t fit the traditional mould of femininity found a new tribe in punk. A place where they could finally be themselves. But the movement attracted fear and aggression from straight society. And few made much money from the short-lived scene.
Sue MacGregor brings together five female punk pioneers: Gaye Advert, bass player in The Adverts, was described as the first female punk star. But the industry focus on her looks caused animosity in the band. Toyah Willcox, an aggressive tomboy, found her emotional rebellion in punk and appeared in Derek Jarman’s cult punk film Jubilee. Gina Birch of The Raincoats played her first gig in November 1977 a few weeks after forming her all-female band. Tessa Pollitt abandoned her A levels to join all girl punk band, The Slits. Vivien Goldman was in the The Flying Lizards and Features Editor on the weekly music paper, Sounds. She is now a Professor of Punk in New York. The guests discuss the impact and legacy of their movement.
