Versatile is the word Toyah Willcox must have on her CV. From her days as a pop star in the 1980s to her stage turn as Calamity Jane and her latest foray into the dark world of vampires, there’s probably nothing she can’t or won’t to.

And even your average toddler will recognise her distinctive voice as she voices the titles for the popular
Teletubbies programmes – uttering the immortal words ‘The sun is setting in the sky, Teletubbies say goodbye’.

Toyah heads to Cambridge at the end of the month and stars as the Devil Queen in Vampires Rock.

The show pays homage to massive, loud songs from the likes of Meatloaf, AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Guns and Roses and tells the story of Baron Von Rockula (Steve Steinman) and his bid to rid himself of his wife, Toyah’s 2,000-year-old Devil Queen.

“It’s a loud, brilliant show and we’ve got a 55-show run until February next year.

“You know, people fell in love to these songs. They’re passionate, awesome and loud.” When pressed about whether there is a little bit of Toyah in the Devil Queen, she laughs her distinctive laugh.

“There probably is a tiny bit as we’re both little exhibitionists and very energetic.”

Energetic is right. As well as Vampires Rock, Toyah is busy with her band, The Humans, has a feature film coming out next year called Three to Tango and is appearing in an episode of Casualty on BBC1 on October 10.

Commenting on her various roles, she says she’s enjoyed every minute. “The eighties were mad. I mean I was young and famous and met so many brilliant people. It was a great time and I was so glad to be part of it.

“Then there’s theatre. Calamity Jane was terrific, it’s such a great story about the power of women, I really love her character.

“My job is such a laugh, I never really want to take any time off because there’s always something different to do.”

Bury Free Press
September 2009