Princess of punk Toyah Willcox made her debut last night thanks to her loyal fans. 

Many of them were in the audience to see the 28-year-old former rocker take her first nervous steps as a musical stage star in Cabaret opposite dancer Wayne Sleep. But her debut as showgirl Sally Bowles was fraught with difficulties. Outside, fans who had waited in the freezing temperatures outraged officials by ripping down posters of the show, while inside Miss Willcox was having her own problems. 

The suspenders, stockings and dress of her flimsy costume left the flustered singer battling with clothes straps during rehearsals. 

And, moments before she stepped out on stage, 4ft 11ins tall, Toyah revealed the secret sadness behind her biggest night, her husband guitarist Robert Fripp would not be in the audience. 

The musician with former Sixties group King Crimson, who married Toyah last May is touring Holland before travelling to Israel. 

'I wish above anything else in the world that he could have been here tonight,' she explained. 'He's so supportive and I need him more than ever.' 

Toyah also revealed that she took over the role from actress Kelly Hunter despite being terrified at the prospect. 'I sat back and thought: "I can't really handle this"... but I simply decided that I would have to work at it.' 

The singer's new image does not mean she is leaving her rock life behind. A new album will be released next month which also has her husband playing on it.

Daily Mail
13th January 1987