 A
Rocking Show To Get Your Teeth Into
For a
show with plenty of bite, it’s hard to beat
Vampires Rock, which returns to Inverness and
Aberdeen for the second time in under a year,
writes Susan Welsh
It says something when less than a year after
playing to sellout crowds, a show returns to the
same cities for a second bite – and
immediately sells out again.
When it comes to a show with plenty of bite,
nothing beats Vampires Rock, the tongue-in-cheek
horror musical starring legendary 80s singer
Toyah Willcox.
Created by Steve Steinman and set in New York in
2030 in the world of the undead, it tells the
story of the charming but supremely evil Baron
Von Rockula, (played beautifully by Steve), owner
of the Live and Let Die Club, who wants to
replace his 2,000-year-old wife, The Devil Queen
(played by Toyah), with a younger version who
must agree to immortality.
Using lots of pumping rock tracks, including
classic songs and anthems from Bon Jovi, Alice
Cooper, White Snake, Cher, the Rolling Stones and
Billy Idol, it’s a fast-paced show which
drives the audience wild.
“There’s something about Scottish
audiences and vampires that seems to send them
over the edge,” said Toyah.
“You’ve got to look at the Scottish
culture, to see why.
“You have some fantastic writers in your
history, so perhaps the romanticism of vampires
is the blood and DNA of the Scots.
“It is very interesting that this show does
sell out everywhere it plays in Scotland, which
is great for us.”
Toyah revealed that the show, which visits Eden
Court Theatre, Inverness, tonight and
Aberdeen’s Music Hall on Saturday, has seen
a few little changes made since it was here last
November.
“I can’t tell you what the changes are,
as that would spoil it for the audience, but I
can say they are really, really good and have
heightened the show, adding more energy and
plenty of the feel-good factor,” said Toyah.
One alteration which can be mentioned is the
number of Toyah’s costume changes.
“I set out with the intention of simplifying
my costume changes for this tour, but somehow I
managed to do the complete opposite,” she
said.
“There are two sets of armour, eight actual
costume changes, three sets of thigh-high boots
and a silver and gold thong.
“I’ve ended up with four new outfits,
which shows my attempts to simplify just
haven’t worked – it’s just as
complex as before.
“In fact, I’d go as far as saying
I’ve made things worse, but the costumes
look good, so I’m sticking with it.”
Toyah’s eye-popping outfits usually include
outrageous shoes with sky-high heels measuring at
least 10 inches, but these have been packed away
– for the moment.
“I fell on stage last year and am still
recovering from a twisted tendon.
“As a result, I’m not allowed to wear
the 10-inch-heel shoes, but I am in thigh-high
boots.”
That little remark lets you know that this is a
show like no other.
With a twist of rock, a dash of musical theatre
and plenty of the greatest rock anthems penned,
it’s no wonder audiences have barely time to
take their seats before they’re dancing in
the aisles.
Toyah said: “It’s one of the largest
one-night touring shows in the country and has a
massive full stage set with a band on stage,
singers, dancers and wonderful costumes.
“It’s a fabulous feel-good show and all
the cast give 100% – if you love your rock
music, then this is it at its best.”
Aberdeen Press & Journal
October 2009
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