Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

2015 has been, yet another, packed year of Toyah gigs, and there are still plenty left over the next few weeks.

Half a dozen Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: The Brindley, Runcorn; Hyndburn Arts Centre, Lancashire; The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater; The Cresset, Peterborough; Goole Junction, Goole and The Pavilion, Hailsham.

As well as a trio of Proud, Loud & Electric gigs: The Picturedome, Holmfirth; The Fleece, Bristol and The Garage, London.

• Check out the Official Toyah Gigs page for full details and ticket links.

• Echo Beach: Watch/Listen to Toyah’s 1987 single, with remastered audio by Toyah fan David Anning, at The Official Toyah You Tube channel – Desire, the album from which the single was taken, is available digitally now.

• Gazette & Herald: Arts festival starts: Our headline performer this year is Toyah, who will be appearing at the Civic Centre on Sunday, November 1. Musical icon of the 80s and star of screen, TV and stage, Toyah will be playing acoustic versions of her hits, discussing her life story, and meeting and greeting after the show – Continue reading…

• This is Wiltshire: Trowbridge comes alive with history and light for Arts Festival: Trowbridge Arts Festival, which runs until November 1, is heralded by a baronial event on Friday, one of many emphasising its status as a Baron Town in this 700-year celebration of the Magna Carta… The festival closes on November 1 at the town’s Civic Centre, where ’80s pop icon Toyah plays an acoustic, up close and personal set which wanders trough her musical life – Continue reading…

• EDP: Celebrities create puppets to help support Norwich theatre: About 25 quirky characters – made by a mix of celebrities and artists – have been sent to Norwich Puppet Theatre ready for a celebrity puppet auction on November 25… Who has provided a puppet for the auction so far? Actors and comedians: Tom Conti, Anita Dobson, Jenny Eclair, Neil Innes, Maureen Lipman, Gwen Taylor, Toyah Willcox – Continue reading…

• Toyah @ Twitter: Stay updated on Toyah, direct from… yes… Toyah herself at Twitter…

Singer, actress, TV personality, author – Toyah Willcox has gained fame from all of the above in a career spanning over 30 years. And, as she prepares to come to East Lancashire for a special show celebrating her music she reveals she’s probably having the best time of her whole career.

“I’m fortunate to have had such longevity,” she said. “But I really do think this is the best time for me.”

In her new show which comes to Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre next Friday, Toyah will be performing many of her hits acoustically. For those familiar with her many chart successes including Thunder in the Mountains, Brave New World and Ieya, the idea of an acoustic show may, at first, be surprising.

But Toyah can put them at their ease. “It all works fabulously well,” said the star who had eight top 40 singles and has released over 20 albums. “I thought I’d give it a go so there’s me and two guitarists who can also both sing and that’s it. When you take away the drums and a lot of the volume the songs really prove themselves. You can hear the harmonies and people have been coming up after the show saying that they like many of the songs even more the acoustic way than the original.”

• Continue reading at the Lancashire Telegraph.

Toyah played an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton on Thursday. The venue is auctioning a huge, signed, banner from the gig… (Photo © Official Toyah)

College News: 80s cult pop star Toyah is coming to Bridgwater

Pop and 80s icon, Toyah Willcox will be performing a lively unplugged storytellers style gig at Bridgwater College’s The McMillan Theatre later this month.

This gig on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at 7.30pm will be a unique chance to experience Toyah up close and personal.COLLEGE NEWS: 80s cult pop star Toyah is coming to Bridgwater

The evening will include Toyah performing an acoustic set of her loved hit singles and classic songs, alongside recalling stories from her colourful 35-year career. Tickets cost just £18 and are available from www.mcmillantheatre.com or the Box Office in person or by phone, 01278-556677.

• Continue reading at Bridgwater Press.

The 28th Bewdley Festival – 9th to 18th October 2015 (Toyah plays on the 16th)

It’s that time of year again when lovers of music, comedy, drama and the arts descend on Wyre Forest for the annual Bewdley Festival.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of Bewdley Festival which will bring its traditional mix of local talent, regional celebrities and national and international stars of stage, screen and concert halls, all packed into an eventful ten days and all delivered entirely by volunteers.

The festival kicks off on Friday (October 9) with British music legend, Leo Sayer’s sold out performance as part of a series of rare and much-anticipated shows. Visiting from Australia, Grammy award-winning Leo comes to Bewdley with his Restless Years Tour.

Other performances sold out this year include a performance by Toyah Willcox, a return visit from Lesley Smith as Nell Gwynne, the final of three performances of the Ballad of St Kenelm, AD 821 by renowned composer Andrew Downes, comedy with Dr Phil Hammond and an annual lecture from Max Keen.

• Continue reading at the Evesham Journal. Toyah’s Acoustic… concert, on Friday 16th October, has Sold Out (see photo above and at the festival website). Check if there is another date near you at the Official Gigs page at toyahwillcox.com.

80s star Toyah Willcox to perform at Bridgwater’s The McMillan Theatre

Pop and 80s icon, Toyah Willcox is set to perform a lively unplugged storytellers style gig at Bridgwater College’s The McMillan Theatre. The event is taking place on Sunday October 25 at 7.30pm.

It is a chance to experience Toyah up close and personal and will include the star performing an acoustic set of her loved hit singles and classic songs, as well as telling stories from her thirty-five year career.

Anthony Bruton, Theatre Manager, said: “We are looking forward to hosting Toyah and know it will be a great evening for both fans and those who love acoustic music.”

Tickets cost £18 are available from www.mcmillantheatre.com or the Box Office in person or by phone, 01278 556677.

• Continue reading at This is The West Country.

A couple of photos of Toyah from Saturday’s Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at St. George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth. Toyah plays another 10 Acoustic gigs before the end of the year – Check the list for a date near you at the Official Toyah Gigs page. View larger versions of these photos at the Live 2015 page at Dreamscape’s Gallery. (Photos © Layne Patterson)

Household name, pop icon, TV presenter and actress Toyah is performing at the Engine Shop at Enginuity in Coalbrookdale on Friday evening, 2 October.

Tickets to ‘Acoustic, Up Close & Personal with Toyah’, which are priced at £20 per person, are available in advance only. They can be purchased online or from the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre and any of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum shops. Tickets include admission into Enginuity from 5pm, the auditorium opens at 7pm and the performance starts at 8pm. There will be an interval and light refreshments and bar drinks will be available; Ironbridge Gorge Museum Passports are not valid for this event.

For further information call the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk, where tickets can be also be purchased.

• Continue reading at Shropshire Live.

Toyah plays an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at St. George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth this evening. Click below for more details.

Toyah plays, and officially opens, the New Mills Festival 2015 tonight, with an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal show at the New Mills Art Theatre.

Setting this year’s New Mills Festival off with an enormous bang, and following on from last year’s hugely successful fundraiser, this year sees the colourful, dynamic and unique Toyah Willcox and her band take to the stage at New Mills Art Theatre on Saturday 12 Sept 2015. Toyah will be belting out all her old hits including the iconic hit singles – It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free and Thunder In The Mountains, as well as newer material, in her famous high-energy style. 

A limited edition of 50 fine art screen prints of the poster (on the left) for this event will be on sale at the Art Theatre tonight, and afterwards if any are left, online from sindesign.co.uk.

New Mills Community Festival is a 2-week annual celebration of community and cultural spirit through a diverse range of activities from talks and walks to concerts, gigs, exhibitions and an impressive lantern procession.

New Mills is situated on the borders of North West Derbyshire and Cheshire, is part of the Derbyshire Peak District and traces its history back to the 13th century. The town is set in an area of spectacular natural beauty and is a popular destination for walkers of all abilities. There are guided walks as part of the festival and even a Fungi Foray! It’s easily accessible by train or bus and boasts two train stations. Services run direct from Sheffield or Manchester in less than an hour.

• Visit Toyah’s page at the New Mills Festival website. Stay updated via the festival’s Twitter page. Browse all of our New Mills Festival 2015 news.

Toyah is on the cover of Sturminster Newton’s The Exchange brochure for Autumn/Winter 2015, which is published/launched today. She plays an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at The Exchange on Thursday 15th October. Click below for further details.

Toyah is currently onstage at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London. Here’s a pic! (Photo © RVT)

• Live 2015: Another trio of gigs – Toyah plays an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date tonight at Vauxhall Tavern, London and tomorrow a Proud, Loud & Electric gig at The Flowerpot, Derby. On Saturday she is the opening music artist of the New Mills Festival 2015.

• Mansfield Chad: See Toyah in full flow at The Flowerpot: Iconic performer Toyah Willcox will be joined by her full band for a gig at The Flowerpot in Derby on Friday, September 11. The popular singer and actor is currently touring with her show, entitled Proud, Loud and Electric – Continue reading…

• Aaaaaaaah!: Another screening at Picture House Central, tomorrow night – View details…

• Get Ready To Rock: Gig review: Cropredy – Oxfordshire, 13-15 August 2015: Last year the festival had a proggy feel to it which I think really worked well but this year I think the attempt to mix in an 80′s pop feel hasn’t really paid off. The Proclaimers, Level 42 and Toyah actually played very good sets; for the folkies they were a bit leftfield – Toyah came out to huge applause and reeled off a set that included ‘It’s A Mystery’ alongside some great covers like ‘Rebel Yell’ and ‘Echo Beach’ – Continue reading…

• Toyah @ Twitter: Stay updated via Toyah’s Official Twitter page….

• Live 2015 +: New dates are sporadically being added to Toyah’s Official Gig page for the remainder of 2015, and also now into 2016 – Check if there’s an upcoming gig near you here…

Toyah plays an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal gig at the Vauxhall Tavern, London this Thursday. Click below for further info and/or to book tickets.

A great review, of Toyah’s recent Acoustic, Up Close & Personal gig at The Hippodrome, London, by Clare Brotherwood at the UK Theatre Network.

She began acting at the age of 18… at the National Theatre! She has starred in the West End in Calamity Jane, in films such as Quadrophenia, and has worked with Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, George Cukor and Katharine Hepburn – who admired her bright red hair. This year alone she has made four new films.

But to a generation she is punk rock star Toyah Willcox, who made around 30 albums and won awards for best female singer with self penned hits such as Be Proud, Be Loud, Be Heard; Thunder in the Mountains; It’s a Mystery, and I Want To Be Free.

Last week she reprised these hits in the intimate surroundings of the performing space which is housed above the roulette tables of Leicester Square’s Hippodrome Casino – walking into the building was an experience in itself!

She’s also a TV presenter and only two days before I had been watching her looking for a house on the Thames. So down to earth and friendly did she appear that when the opportunity came up to see her perform live I jumped at the chance – and I’m so glad I did.

I don’t do music reviews. I know what I like but can’t tell you why, so I paid for my ticket and went along as an ordinary punter. But I was so blown away by this little powerhouse of talent that I felt I just had to let people know she is a must-see act.

• Continue reading at the UK Theatre Network. Check out where else you can catch Toyah’s Acoustic, Up Close & Personal tour at her Official Website.

Punk princess of the 1980s, Toyah Willcox, is one of the star names appearing in this year’s Trowbridge Arts Festival taking place in October.

Actress, pop icon and TV presenter Toyah will bring the festival to a starry close in an Up Close and Personal performance at Trowbridge Civic Centre on Sunday November 1.

Festival director Andrew Bryant said: “We are absolutely delighted Toyah has agreed to close this year’s festival.

“She is a legendary and much-loved performer and has followed a fascinating career path. She is a name we have been keen to add to the festival for a long time. After last year’s sell-out performance by Hazel O’Connor we would advise people to purchase tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

“This will be a very special night for Trowbridge.”

• Continue reading at the Gazette & Herald.

Hippodrome / Thursday 13th

It’s Toyah! Actual Toyah Willcox! Household name! Singer! Model! Actress! She was on I’m A Celeb y’know. And she’s that voice in the Teletubbies that goes “Teletubbies, say goodbye!” Not many people know that. Anyway she’s at the Hippodrome for your aural pleasure, doing songs, and she’s going to be sublime.

The Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square
Cranbourn Street, WC2H 7JH
Show time 8pm. Tickets from £40.

Toyah plays an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at the, new for this year, Cottingham Folk Festival in Yorkshire early next month.

Toyah Willcox: Acoustic, Up Close & Personal
+ Rita Payne + Fudgey
Sunday 6th September: 1pm – 5pm, The Civic Hall

Cottingham Folk Festival is a brand new event for the region’s already blossoming music calendar, to be hosted in various venues in the picturesque East Yorkshire village of Cottingham across the first weekend of September.

An exciting addition to a vibrant summer of events, this three-day extravaganza will see an incredible line-up of artists descend on what is thought to be the largest village in the UK.

Browse the full festival line-up here.

• Visit the Cottingham Folk Festival 2015  website. Browse all our Cottingham Festival related news. Click below to view info on the date at Toyah’s Official Gig Diary.

The Civic Centre is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a performance by Toyah Willcox, entitled ‘Toyah: Acoustic, Up Close and Personal’ on Sunday November 1st, closing this year’s Trowbridge Arts Festival.

A colourful character, and part of the ’80s post-punk New Wave scene, Toyah had considerable chart success with hits such as It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free and Brave New World.

Tickets for the performance cost £15 each, and are available to buy from Trowbridge Information Centre.

• Continue reading at Trowbridge TC wesbite.