John Shuttleworth, the comedy creation of Sheffield’s Graham Fellows, is celebrating 30 years in the business this year.
This year marks John Shuttleworth’s 30th year in the comedy/music business.
… He will also be playing the slightly larger London Palladium on June 28, when he headlines a charity night in aid of MS. “Chas and Dave, Toyah and Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 are all playing,” says Fellows. “So John Shuttleworth is finally playing Sunday Night at the Palladium. “In June 1985 I did my first demo tape as John, so it’ll be a nice way to mark the 30 years.”
Who’s Doing The Dishes: UTV Ireland: Saturday 25th January: 12.30pm
On today’s programme, will it remain a mystery that Toyah Willcox is their celebrity host when she throws a dinner party for four strangers? Join Brian McFadden to find out!
Toyah’s successful Acoustic, Up Close & Personal UK Tour, which played numerous dates and received great feedback and reviews in 2014, continues through 2015. The first date of the year, which is also Toyah’s first gig of 2015, takes place at Beccles Public Hall this Saturday. Click below to view the full tour schedule.
View photos from a selection of last year’s Acoustic dates, as well as other Toyah gigs, at Dreamscape’s Gallery. Browse all of our Acoustic, Up Close & Personaltour news. View Toyah’s complete 2015 gig diary.
New season at Selby Town Hall to include punk poets, post-punk musicians and stand-up comedians
Selby Town Hall has lined up 20 acts for February to June covering the usual mix of folk, blues, Americana, comedy, theatre and poetry.
Eighties’ star of stage, screen and pop chart Toyah Willcox presents Toyah: Up Close And Personal, a sold-out, career-spanning acoustic show on May 9.
“Our spring season brings stars from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 21st century, with shows that cover blues to Britpop, poetry to plays and everything in between” says Chris Jones, Selby Town Council’s arts officer.
“I’m really thrilled to have secured so many acts who are more often seen in spaces far bigger than Selby Town Hall. It’s the intimacy of the performances here that really makes them so special. The chance to enjoy acts like Cara Dillon, John Cooper Clarke, Toyah Willcox and Alexei Sayle in a venue where you can see the whites of their eyes is pretty exciting!”
FM: 4Music: Monday 19th January: 10.30pm FM: 4Music: Thursday 22nd January: 11.30pm System Addict. Jane dares Dom to quit drinking, he challenges her to stop smoking and Lyndsay is set the task of finding a girlfriend. Including guest appearances by the Toyah Willcox and the Wombats, who perform My Circuitboard City. Comedy, starring Chris O’Dowd, Kevin Bishop and Nina Sosanya.
Later in the year Toyah will play the Flashback Festival 2015 at Clumber Park, Worksop. This will be a “70s Vs 80s” two day line-up.
Previously known as ‘Flashback to the 80s’, Flashback 2015 takes place at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
Dubbed “’70s Vs ’80s” with Sister Sledge, Boney M, The Real Thing, Hot Chocolate, Odyssey and more representing the ’70s and The Human League, Marc Almond, Jason Donovan, Fivestar, Toyah and The Doctor (from Dr and the Medics) representing the ’80s.
Flashback Festival 2015 takes place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August. A special guest for the 70s concert is still to be revealed, with further announcements to be made over the coming months.
What better way is there to spend a long summer evening than listening to your favourite performers in the picturesque location of Clumber Park? This year you can really make a weekend of it with our fabulous new twist 70’s v 80’s On Friday we will introduce a fantastic 70’s disco line up and on Saturday the 80’s are back with another wonderful selection of 80’s artists. Day tickets are available for your chosen era but if you really want to go for it various camping options are available for both Friday and Saturday!
Visit the Flashback Festival 2015 website. Stay updated via their Twitter page.
Revenge of the 80s: 31 May 2015
Toyah, The Christians, Jim Diamond
Toyah Willcox headlines a special evening also featuring The Christians and Jim Diamond which spans thirty years of greatest hits from the 1980s and beyond.
Toyah Willcox
Household name, pop icon, TV presenter, and stage and screen actress (Calamity Jane, Cabaret, Jubilee, Quadophenia) Toyah together with with her full band perform a lively, energetic set in her own unique style and includes her much-loved hit singles It’s A Mystery, Thunder In The Mountains, Brave New World and I Want To Be Free.
John Shuttleworth and friends (including Chas and Dave, Toyah, Martyn Ware, John Otway, Gordon Giltrap and others to be announced) will perform for one night only at the London Palladium in ‘A Knight at the Palladium’ in aid of the MS Trust and an MS Centre in Sheffield.
“Sheffield’s funniest man” (The Guardian), the versatile singer/organist John Shuttleworth, plays the London Palladium to celebrate 30 years in ‘showbiz’ and is joined by star guests from his recent Lounge Music BBC Radio 4 series, plus others (TBA).
The six-part radio drama, The Older Woman, in which Toyah plays Elsa airs again in January and February on BBC Radio. Originally broadcast by ‘BBC Radio 4′ in January and February 1993 it also stars Zoë Wanamaker and Martin Clunes as Jane and Roy. It’s being repeated by BBC Radio 4 Extra. Toyah also sings the theme tune – Listen here.
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Wednesday 14th January: 7am/5.30pm The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Thursday 15th January: 5.30am Episode 1 of 6. Local hack journalist Roy Hitchcock tries to win the heart of his former teacher. Stars Zoë Wanamaker, Martin Clunes and Toyah Willcox, with David Troughton and Nicky Henson. The Older Woman is written by Tony Bagley.
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Wednesday 21st January: 7am/5.30pm The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Thursday 22nd January: 5.30am 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.
It’s been confirmed that Toyah will join John Shuttleworth & Friends for a charity concert at the London Palladium this Summer. Toyah will perform with John and Chris Wong.
28th June 2015 at London Palladium:
John Shuttleworth and Friends in aid of MS charities with Chas and Dave, Toyah, Martyn Ware, Gordon Giltrap and others to be announced.
• Frome Times: Toyah Willcox & Cara Dillon head exciting 2015 line-up at the Cheese & Grain: After a very busy 2014 the Cheese & Grain in Frome has an even busier and more exciting year ahead in 2015 – Continue reading…
• Kent Online: Britannia Theatre, Chatham… it has some equally popular names already booked for 2015, including The Selecter, Toyah, The Blockheads and The Buzzcocks – Continue reading…
• Somerset Guardian: Something for everyone at the Cheese & Grain: The Cheese and Grain is once again proving to be one of the best local music venues around with their 2015 line up looking to be their best yet – Continue reading…
• Gloucester Citizen: Our pick of shows in Gloucestershire this year: The following month, don’t miss Toyah Willcox and The Humans who will take centre stage at the Guildhall on April 14 – Continue reading…
• What’s on TV: This Is Your TV Life: Mel & Sue: Sue decided to show off her competitive side when she took part in Celebrity Masterchef in 2006, where she was pitted against Toyah Willcox in a professional kitchen – Continue reading…
• Press & Journal: Guitarist overcomes painful wrist condition to release new song: And now she is getting ready for a busy year, which will include supporting Toyah Willcox when she performs at Stonehaven Town Hall on September 18 and 19. Miss Esslemont, who is in her late 30s, said: “I can’t wait. She was in my favourite film, Quadrophenia. It’s every musician’s dream to support someone famous but when it’s a connection to your past, it’s all the more special. I’m very, very excited about it. It’s a great opportunity.” – Continue reading…
‘I saw dead people’ – actress Rula Lenksa on her terrifying moment inside Toyah Willcox’s haunted house
The Celebrity Big Brother star is coming to Birmingham Hippodrome in spooky new play The Frozen Scream
The lights went out and the next thing Rula Lenksa knew, she was huddled in the corner, hysterically crying with fear. The terrifying experience happened in the Worcestershire home of singer Toyah Willcox, which Rula believes is haunted.
Such ghost stories are now uppermost in her mind as she stars in the spooky new play The Frozen Scream at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Rula, 67, remembers that Birmingham singer Toyah invited her to her 17th century house in Pershore to take part in the satellite TV series called Living with the Dead.
Nostalgia: Millennium memories 15 years on – do you remember when we partied like it was 1999?
It’s been 15 years since the turn of the new millennium. We take a look back on the day Birmingham welcomed in a new year with a difference.
Can you believe it’s really been 15 years since we celebrated the new millennium?
Were you there in Centenary Square on that electric, if not a little rainy, night when Birmingham partied like it was 1999? Thousands of people turned out, bearing umbrellas, big 2000 hats and silly glasses, wigs and costumes to add to the party atmosphere. They paid up to £100 each for a ticket.
Toyah Willcox took to the stage too to help raise funds for the project, which even had the backing of the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A big Thank You to, former Toyah band member Phil Spalding, for sending this festive photo to Dreamscape over Christmas, along with the message: “Happy Christmas and New Year to all Toyah followers and fans !!! PSxXxx” – All the best Phil, hope you had a great Christmas.
Also great to hear that another former band member, Nigel Glockler, is recuperating well after his recent health scare. Best Wishes to Nigel and Gina for 2015.
2014 has been an exceptionally busy year for Toyah, and for Dreamscape. We’ve just about managed to keep up with our favourite workaholic over the last 12 months. After all these years it’s still fun and a privilege to run a fansite dedicated to such a great artist… Wishing all our visitors a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2015.
This evening Toyah has tweeted a festive greeting: “HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FRIPP/COX’S. MAY YOUR LOVED ONES B SAFE AND MAY HAPPINESS COME 2 STAY XXX”
The Official Toyah Christmas 2014 Advent is now complete, with today’s final door opened. It’s been a great countdown to Christmas with rare and interesting Toyah goodies over the last 24 days. Click below to open door 24 and revisit the full countdown…
• Welcome to our final “Toyah Newsy Bits & Pieces!” post of the year…
• Compassion in World Farming: Compassion is proud to stand alongside a diverse group of celebrity ambassadors whose incredible talents are helping us to end factory farming. Here is what our ambassadors have to say about their work to end factory farming: Toyah Willcox “A cage is never enough for any animal and that means rabbits too. Compassion in World Farming want to make sure rabbits have a fair and just life, without unnecessary suffering. I fully support their aims in making sure rabbits get a fair deal. I am utterly convinced people do not want the meal on their plate to have come via suffering and exploitation.” – Continue reading…
• Toyah & Willyfred: A wonderful photo. View here…
• Birmingham Hippodrome Blog: Jack and the Beanstalk press night at Birmingham Hippodrome: We held the official press night for Jack and the Beanstalk last night (22 Dec). Taking place in one of our dance studios it was attended by over 100 media and guests who came from all over the region… Regional bloggers came in force and singer Toyah Willcox was also spotted – Continue reading…
• Mad World: Mixtape: Toys & Games: Once again, Chris Rooney digs deep into his sack. Ho! Ho! Ho! and Oy, Vey! / Here are 11 fun songs you should play / A holiday mixtape about games and toys / For all the naughty or nice New Wave girls and boys!: Toyah, “I Want To Be Free” (1981) Even before she was a singer, Toyah Willcox exercised her rebel instincts by experimenting with hair color and style. To this day she doesn’t know why her parents gave her the unusual name of “Toyah”. Recommended Toy: Launched as a TV show tie-in, the Barbiesque doll named Jem was a rock star like Toyah sporting a shocking pink head of hair and was “Truly Outrageous” according to the show’s theme song – Continue reading…
The build up to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas every December for the last 14 years, so here we go again… Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it a couple of years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. She sounds great, looks amazing and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees. Bravo!
John Shuttleworth, the comedy creation of Sheffield’s Graham Fellows, is celebrating 30 years in the business this year.
