Yet more exciting ‘Changeling Resurrection’ news on this, already, very exciting day!
Two film crews are at Bush Hall, London tonight. One is there there to capture some exclusive footage to be made available at a later date @ toyahwillcox.com.
Thousands will be raised for disadvantaged children at a fundraising Eighties concert next month. Let’s Rock the Moor, on Saturday, May 12 is set to be the second biggest Eighties event in the country, with the proceeds going to worthy causes.
The line up includes Billy Ocean, Go West, Heaven 17, Toyah and Modern Romance, and will be hosted by Pat Sharp. Tickets are £24 for adults and £14 for children aged three to 12. Visit www.letsrockthemoor.com for details.
• Continue reading, at the ‘Maidenhead Advertiser’, here.
A few “Lee-tastic” photos of Toyah from Wednesday night’s gig in Bristol. Please click on each of the photos to view larger versions. (Thanks to Lee Jones – I love the centre one, Lee!)
• View more great photos from the Bristol ‘TCR’ gig here.
‘The Changeling Resurrection’ good news keeps coming: Tonight’s gig at Bush Hall. London is now officially confirmed as Sold Out! Fantastic news for Toyah. What a night it will be! Doors open 7pm. First support starts 7:05pm. Toyah is on stage at 9.15-10.45pm approx. Venue curfew is 11pm.
An exciting time for everyone heading to Bush Hall tonight for ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ London concert. Toyah tweeted yesterday: “Waiting to play Bush Hall tomorrow is like waiting for Christmas morning! I wanna play now!“. Return, if you can, later to view amazing Toyah art created, by Andrew York, to mark tonight’s gig. I’ve named it “Toyah Takes London”. (preview below – Original photo © Toyah Willcox/Dean Stockings | Artwork by Andrew York)
Quadrophenia, as with Jubilee, is a film that has grown in popularity in the decades since its’ release. Starring Phil Daniels, who gives an incredible performance as, central character, Jimmy, the film boasts one of the most famous and iconic movie “line up” promotional photos, instantly recognisable and used on various posters over the years. Toyah plays Monkey alongside Leslie Ash, Mark Wingett, Phil Davis, Ray Winstone and numerous others. It’s worth noting that Quadrophenia and Jubilee, films focusing on punk and Mods, are two of the biggest “youth” movies of the 1970’s. Toyah has the distinction of appearing in both.
Safari Records’ late 70s/early 80s timeline of Toyah dates the band signing to the label as January 1979, though their “Our History” implies it may have been late 1978: In 1978 a Melody Maker postage stamp picture of Toyah together with a small but glowing review of one of the very few gigs that her band had ever played led us to a leaky rehearsal space under Waterloo Bridge, where we saw the band and they signed with Safari who then were pleasantly surprised to learn of Toyah Willcox, actress, her performances in ‘The Corn is Green’ (starring Katherine Hepburn), ‘Jubilee’, ‘Quadrophenia’ and her current casting as Miranda in Derek Jarman’s forthcoming ‘The Tempest’.
One Of These Nights I’m Gonna Get An Early Day aired in October 1978. Toyah has a small role in this, playing a character called Fran, a groupie. This was a 30 minute play from the ‘Premiere 2’ series. Also stars Michael Gambon, Bryan Marshall & Janine Duvitski.
Toyah played Bessie Watty in the 1978, made for television, remake of a 1945 Bette Davis movie, The Corn Is Green. Starring the legendary Katharine Hepburn and directed by George Cukor, Toyah was working with “Hollywood royalty”. The film continues to air sporadically on UK television.
There’s something for everyone in the week-long Stortfest Crawl, a spectacular celebration of music and the arts which launches next Sunday.
Dozens of venues across town are getting in on the act, hosting gigs, poetry recitals, comedy nights, family fun days and loads more activities for all ages and tastes. The event is being co-ordinated by the team behind the long-running Stortford Music Festival, which is taking a break from its regular format at St Mary’s Catholic School in Windhill.
Headlining the proceedings is 80s New Wave and punk-pop sensation Toyah Willcox, who is marking the 30th anniversary of her celebrated album The Changeling with a concert at Rhodes.
• Continue reading, at ‘Herts & Essex Observer’, here.
A new article, by Chris Limb, on his memoir ‘I Was A Teenage Toyah Fan’.
After a while the novelty of there being an Amazon page for my book began to wear off. It was no longer enough for me to browse to it and look adoringly at a page on which the spaces in the dynamic web template were filled by my own creation’s meta-data. So I had self-published. How was I going to promote it? Even though it was now available in paperback and ebook, the thing wasn’t going to sell itself.
• Continue reading, at ‘Catmachine’, here.
A great news update by Toyah’s official website on Wednesday, covering Toyah’s new tour image, the fantastic reviews and that Brighton sold out and Bush Hall, London looks like doing so also.
After remarkable response and amazing reviews, including four-stars from thisisnotretro.com, Toyah continues to resurrect the The Changeling tonight at Bristol Tunnels.
With a brand new image created especially for the tour and material not performed in thirty years, this is a true celebration and re-interpretation of one of Toyah finest albums. The tour then continues to London’s Bush Hall on Sunday 22 April which is approximately 15 tickets away from a completely sold out show, so act quick if you wish to catch the show. Full ticket links and venue details can be found at the GIGS page.
Photos © Toyah Willcox/Dean Stockings
The ‘British Theatre Guide’ website include details on Sleeping Beauty in their latest “panto news” update. No new info but they do use a, previously unpublished, full-length photo of the main cast.
Evolution Productions have also announced full casting for their version of Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury which will feature Toyah Willcox as Carabosse, Gareth Gates as the Prince, Ben Roddy as the Dame, Lloyd Hollett as the Storyteller, Katrina Bryan as the Fairy and Faye Brookes as Sleeping Beauty herself.
• Visit ‘The British Theatre Guide’ website here.
(The full photo is also being used in the, just published, Marlowe Theatre Summer brochure)
Jubilee, Toyah’s first film. She played Mad, a pyromaniac. Directed by Derek Jarman, it premiered on 22nd February 1978 at Bloomsbury Square Odeon, aka Gate 2, London. The film was derided in its first few years but has become something of a cult movie over the last decade and is regularly written about in online blogs and articles. Jubilee also featured Adam Ant in his first role, as well as Richard O’Brien and Little Nell of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
PHOTOS
Concorde2, Brighton, The Tunnels, Bristol: View here.
OFFICIAL
Changeling Resurrection: The Official Page: View here.
Official news updates: View here.
REVIEWS
This Is Not Retro/Exeter Post: View all here.
VENUES
Changeling Resurrection: Brighton news: View here.
Changeling Resurrection: Bristol news: View here.
THE CHANGELING RESURRECTION
General news round-up: View here.
More colourful photos of Toyah, and band, from Bristol. Please click on each of the below to view larger versions. (Thanks to Paul Cable, pictured with Toyah, for the photos)
The Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies Indie – Wednesday 2nd May: 9.25am
Satirical comedy with Kris Marshall, Kathy Keira Clarke, Bronagh Gallagher, James Nesbitt, Kenneth Cranham, Olivia Nash, Pauline McLynn, Tara Lynne O’Neill, Toyah Willcox, Harry Towb, Marc O’Shea and Paddy McCarney. Also airing on Sky Movies Indie HD.
The print version of the ‘Exeter Post’ review of Wednesday night’s gig. Dawn Killick’s 9/10 appraisal is full of positivity for Toyah and the gig.
… she then sang Dawn Chorus, Angel and Jungles Of Jupiter: the latter showcasing the talents of the band and also the higher range of her voice, with Toyah sounding better than ever.
View a larger version of the scan. (Thanks to Chris Cox)
Wow! Another fantastic review for the tour. I must say it’s good to finally hear journalists say what we, Toyah’s fans, have been saying for 30-odd years!
Toyah Willcox played the tunnels in a special 30th anniversary tour to celebrate her 1982 albums, The Changeling and Warrior Rock.
Toyah burst on to the stage in her signature striking headdress and delivered a high energy performance for well over an hour and a half, with three whirlwind costume changes.
The opening number was Good Morning Universe, which highlighted her still very youthful voice, then moved to Creepy Room and Castaways. By this time the crowd was moving and swaying with exaggerated hand movements in time with Toyah’s. Then, for the first time since 1981 at the Hammersmith Odeon, she played Brave New World, which, she admitted, made the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.
• Continue reading at ‘This is Exeter’ here.
The post-gig response to the second concert of ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ tour, at The Tunnels in Bristol, has been as positive and enthusiastic as the premiere in Brighton at the weekend.
‘Demolition Men’ and ‘We Are’ which weren’t played at Brighton due to time constraints were played in Bristol. View a selection of fan videos from the gig at You Tube. (Thanks to Stuart)
More photos from The Tunnels gig, Bristol on Wednesday night. Please click on each of the photos to view larger versions. (Thanks again to Angus for all these great Toyah shots)
