Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

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!”

• Continue reading at The York Press.

An interview with Toyah, from The York Press, published on Thursday.

Theatre: Hormonal Housewives, Grand Opera House, York, April 18

For Toyah, appearing in a three-hander is a new concept. “It’s pure comedy with the three of us playing ourselves and various characters, so we’re the glue that holds together this celebration of women,” says the 54-year-old performer from King’s Heath.

“I don’t think the show is patronising, but nor is it feminist or political at all. I think shows like this exist because feminism has paved the way for them. It’s your everywoman show, looking at aspects of being a woman, such as the competition at the school gates; dress sizes; book groups; going to the gym; and staying thin.”

• Continue reading at The York Press.