Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Gareth Gates and Toyah head to Canterbury for Marlowe Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty

Panto fans are in for a real treat again at the Marlowe Theatre – it’s been revealed Gareth Gates and Toyah Willcox will be heading to Canterbury for Sleeping Beauty.

Pop Idol runner up Gareth and Dancing on Ice star Gareth and former “punk princess” Toyah will be joined by Katrina Bryan, better known as Nina from the CBeebies series Nina and the Neurons, and Ben Roddy. Last year’s production of Cinderella was seen by a record-breaking number of people (more than 83,000).

• Continue reading at Canterbury People.

More of Andy’s excellent photos of Toyah from Saturday night. These and many more accompany the ‘This Is Not Retro’ five star review of the gig. View larger versions by clicking on each photo. (Thanks to Richard Evans | Photos © Andy Sturmey)

• View all of the great photos from the gig, here. Thanks to everyone who has sent photos to Falling To Earth, they are all very much appreciated!

The official ‘Changeling Resurrection’ tour page has been updated with some, amazing, new photos by Dean Stockings. Posed shots and onstage photos. Prepare to be dazzled!

NB: Tour Update: Doors for tomorrow’s show in Bristol and all other shows will be opening at 7pm (not 7.30pm as previously stated) with first support slot at 7.05pm.

View an excellent collection of video clips, from ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ gig in Brighton, at You Tube.

Including ‘Brave New World’, ‘The Packt’, ‘Dawn Chorus’, ‘Creepy Room’, ‘Angel & Me’ and more. Changeling-tastic indeed! (Thanks to Claire Wheeler)

More fantastic photos from ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ premiere gig at Brighton. These and many more accompany the ‘This Is Not Retro’ five star review of the gig. View larger versions by clicking on each photo. (Thanks to Richard Evans | Photos © Andy Sturmey)

I must confess, this is the song I’ve been dying to hear. It doesn’t disappoint. (Thanks Claire)

More brilliantly colourful photos of Toyah, and band, from Brighton. Please click on each of the below to view larger versions. (Thanks again to Sharon Dickson)

• I’ve lost count of the number of times Minder has been reissued on DVD over the last 12 years. This latest box set is a goodie though: Minder: The Dennis Waterman Years. A 20 disc set featuring every episode (68), from the ‘classic’ series, with Arthur and Terry. Toyah, of course, plays Kate in Series Two, Episode Eight, ‘All Mod Cons’, which is included in this, recently released, set.

• ‘The Acoustic Album’ version of ‘Danced’ was included in the playlist for Dark Night Of The Soul with Julie last night on ‘WFMU’. View here.

• More press reports on the Toyah/Gareth Gates Sleeping Beauty panto announcement yesterday: This is Kent, Musical Theatre News, Your Canterbury, KMFM, Kent Business TV.

Hot on the heels of the launch of the page and all the fantastic live photos, Toyah’s Official Facebook updated with an exciting post this afternoon: some AMAZING updates coming to The Changeling Resurrection page at toyahwillcox.com soon……….

Slightly odd hearing this performed live after 30 years. Singing these songs again after all this time must be cathartic for Toyah, especially as ‘The Changeling’ was an unhappy time. I’ll bet a few demons are being laid to rest. (Thanks to Claire Wheeler for uploading ‘The Packt’)

A brilliant photo of Toyah onstage at the Concorde2 on Saturday. Click on this to view a larger version. (Photo by Sharon Dickson | Please return later for more fantastic photos by Sharon)

Awash With Colour, from BBC2 September 2001, with Toyah learning to watercolour, has just been uploaded, in three parts, to ‘You Tube’. Click on each cap below to view each part.

The scenery in this programme is stunning. Presenter Dermot Cavanagh and Toyah visited Yeats’ country, Co. Sligo in Ireland. Toyah talks about her career. Toyah and Dermot then paint the picturesque Glencar Loch, set in the shadow of the majestic Benbulben Mountain. Toyah recalled an artist using watercolour on her face to create her ‘Brave New World’ look.

Reissue! Repackage! (Hello to any fans of The Smiths who visit here. Still my favourite band after 30 years)

I’ve received some emails asking if I’d make this available again. So, for those who missed it on Saturday… for a limited time only (humour me, please)…

Marking the beginning of ‘The Changeling Resurrection 2012’ UK tour: ‘CASTAWAYS: Four (live) from Toyah’ EP.

1. Dawn Chorus/Moonlight Dancing (6.55 Special)
2. Brave New World (Get Set For Summer)
3. Street Creature (Get Set For Summer)
4. Castaways (Get Set For Summer)

Click on the artwork to view the “EP” at ‘Soundcloud’.

These tracks are all already available online, in video, at ‘You Tube’. As the new tour opens I thought creating an “EP” from them, showcasing four great live performances from ‘The Changeling’ era, would be a fitting way to celebrate this great occasion. Click here for a larger version of the artwork.

NB: Three of these songs were included in the set list of last Saturday’s gig in Brighton.

A tweet from Toyah yesterday, with some good, and well deserved, news: “OMG phone is ringing off the hook. Its going 2 be a very busy year.”

More photos of Toyah with fans at Concorde2 in Brighton. A special hello to Keijo and Pentti (pictured below) who travelled from Finland to see ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ and Toyah. Please click below to view larger versions of the photos. (Thanks to Lärwi and Erja)

More great shots of Toyah onstage at Saturday’s first ‘Changeling Resurrection 2012’ gig in Brighton. Please click on these to view larger versions. (Thanks again to Angus Turner)

The Marlowe Theatre and Evolution Pantomimes present Sleeping Beauty. Starring Gareth Gates & Toyah Willcox

Make your dreams come true this Christmas, with everyone’s favourite fairytale

Following the incredible success of last year’s smash hit Cinderella, you’re guaranteed a feel-fantastic festive treat with a whole host of stars including singing sensation Gareth Gates, pop legend Toyah Willcox, Katrina Bryan (CBeebies Nina And The Neurons) and The Marlowe’s favourite funnyman Ben Roddy.

You’ll be swept off your feet by our lavish sets, beautiful costumes, brilliant musical numbers, amazing illusions and, of course, hilarious comedy. There’s even a fire-breathing dragon!

Written and directed by Paul Hendy and brought to you by Evolution, the same creative team behind Cinderella, this promises to be our most magical pantomime yet.

• Sleeping Beauty is Toyah’s longest running panto for many years, playing for almost eight weeks between Friday 30th November 2012 and Sunday 20th January 2013. Visit the Marlowe Theatre website and Facebook for more info and to stay updated.

The first promo photo for Sleeping Beauty 2012. Click to visit the Marlowe Theatre’s website.

It’s only April but the Marlowe Theatre’s 2012 panto, and cast, has just been announced:

Gareth Gates and Toyah Willcox are on board for the Marlowe Theatre pantomime…

Singer Gareth Gates and pop legend Toyah Willcox will be the star acts at this year’s Marlowe Theatre pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. After finishing runner-up to Will Young in Pop Idol in 2002, Gates went on to sell 3.5 million records with No1 hits such as Unchained Melody and Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake).

After a stint on Dancing On Ice in 2008, Gates – who will play the Prince – has performed in musicals Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Les Miserables, both on the 25th anniversary tour and in the West End.

A veteran of six Marlowe Theatre pantomimes, punk princess Willcox has had 13 top 40 singles and released 22 studio albums in her 30 year career. Set to play the Wicked Fairy, she has also presented TV shows The Good Sex Guide Late, Watchdog and Songs of Praise.

Producer Paul Hendy said: “Over the past few years, we have built a reputation for casting highly-talented performers, and Sleeping Beauty is no exception. In fact, they are all top quality – our leading man Gareth has an incredible voice and Toyah has to be the best female pantomime artist in the country. “All the cast are going to be a joy to work with and, more importantly, a joy to watch.”

Last year’s pantomime Cinderella – the first at the new Marlowe Theatre – was seen by a record breaking 83,000 people.  Sleeping Beauty will run at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, from Friday, November 30 to Sunday, January 20, 2013. Box Office 01227 787787 or visit www.marlowetheatre.com.

• The Marlowe Theatre website has also updated this morning with this news | Also reported by ITV News and Kent News.

Another positive review for Saturday’s Brighton gig.

Resplendent in headwear which would make Vivienne Westwood shake her head and tut, Toyah Willcox gave her audience a lesson in stagecraft, turning a messy dress rehearsal into a command performance through sheer chutzpah and professionalism. Fully aware of the irony implicit in a woman of ‘(almost) fifty-four’ belting out the lyrics ‘I don’t wanna go to school’, she introduced one of her biggest hits with a giggle and the words ‘let’s get childish’.

• Continue reading at ‘The Latest’ here.

A five star review, and another gallery of excellent live Toyah photos, for ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ @ Brighton by ‘This Is Not Retro’.

Not only does Toyah look fantastic but she’s in fine voice too, confidently romping through a setlist of classic material with obvious glee and enjoyment.

• Continue reading at ‘This Is Not Retro’ here.