Another update to the
Gallery. Around 60 photos added from
various live appearances Toyah made
between 2002 and 2005: Ronnie Scott's
(2002), The Club Stoke (2002), Mean
Fiddler (2003), Kremlin Belfast (2004),
Best Of The 80's (2004), Flamingo's
(2005), Hastings Festival (2005) and
more. Visit the new 2000 - 2009
Gallery, which now has over 250
photos, here.
• Thanks to
Paul Lomas, Michael O'Brien, Paul Cable,
M Masser, Derek Williams, Damon King,
Chris Limb, John Wain and Merx.
Dreamscape
Gallery: Toyah @ Hastings 2005
30 June, 2011
Part of the latest Gallery
update: A great collection of Toyah at
'Hastings Beer & Music Festival' 2005
photos. All by M Masser. Click below to
view all 4 photos, and here
for the Gallery Index.
Gaily
Mail: Andi Fraggs Talks Toyah
30 June, 2011
The
'Gaily Mail' interviewed Andi Fraggs
today, and asked him about touring with
Toyah.
You’re supporting Toyah in
the Autumn on her UK Tour. How did that
all come about?
Well, a number of strange things
happened. I have always admired Toyah and
enjoyed her music and when I saw that she
was doing the ‘From Sheep Farming To
Anthem’ tour, I knew I had to
support her on the tour. Quite a few
Toyah fans had also contacted me and said
how much they liked my music. With that
in mind, I actually wrote down exactly
what I wanted to happen and put it under
my pillow. I asked ‘the angels’
to help make it happen and then
approached Toyah’s management.
Around that time, Toyah was asked about
me in an interview and said that she
liked my style and music. Over the
following weeks, Toyah kept
‘appearing’ when I turned the
radio on or read a magazine. If I went
past a shop window, her book would be
staring down at me or if I went into a
record shop her CD would be the first
thing I would see. After about three
months, I was finally asked to support
Toyah on seven dates of her tour.
I’ve always felt that Toyah had a
similar psychic quality as myself and I
do think that other things were at work
to make my support dates happen!
• Read the full interview at the
'Gaily Mail' website, here.
•
Andi was also interviewed on Rowetta
& Friends on Gaydio last
Saturday, talking more about the Toyah
Tour, his new single,
'Reality', and more. Andi also gifted
Toyah's brilliant 2008 'Good Morning
Universe: The Very Best Of Toyah' CD to
Gaydio for their birthday. Download the podcast of
Saturday's show at iTunes.
Toyah
Newsy Bits & Pieces!
30 June, 2011
•
Toyah has just recorded a new dance
track, 'Fallen', with Paul Masterson.
Paul and Toyah co-wrote the song. Toyah
also tweeted this photo
today.
• Toyah has just filmed a new
documentary, about "weird
funerals", in Seattle with Bill
Rieflin for USA Discovery.
•
The 'Musik Xchange: Obscure &
Underrated Music' blog featured "The
Best Of Toyah" last Monday. View it here.
• Toyah plays the 'Here
and Now Post Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup'
concert on Saturday 6th August. Check out
the 'Ascot Insider' Spotlight on
Toyah feature, here.
•
'RecordProduction.com' have an hour-long
video interview with, legendary Toyah
Safari-era producer, Nick Tauber.
Unfortunately I can't get the video to
play but maybe some of you will have more
luck with it. Visit here.
• Demimonde, "the
drag Depeche Mode", are supporting
Toyah at her 'FSF-A' gig at The Classic
Grand, Glasgow. View a recent news post
about Demimode at the 'Menergy' website, here.
• Toyah is/was
namechecked in a variety of online press
articles over the last couple of weeks:
Today's Daily Mail,
Today's The
Northern Line,
Monday's GO Outdoors, a
Daily
Record
interview with Richard Madden (who
appeared with Toyah in Barmy Aunt
Boomerang in the late 90's), Ripon Today on
24th June, a Daily
Record
Clare Grogan interview on 22nd June, the Mansfield
Chad on
18th June and also at The Brook
website.
Toyah
2011: Just For Fun!
30 June, 2011
Just For Fun! A 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' tour poster, and an
'Anthem' era Toyah doll on the cover of
'Rolling Stone' magazine. Please click on
both for larger versions of these great
images.
• Thanks to
Damon King for his 'FSF-A' live @ London
photo that I've created the tour
"poster" with. Huge thanks also
to Andi for the fantastic mock 'Rolling
Stone' cover.
Toyah
Opens GPN Exhibition: You Tube
Video
30 June, 2011
Click on the caps below to
view a video of
the opening night of the 'Gay
Photographers Network' Exhibition,
including Toyah's opening speech. Visit
the 'British Theatre' blog to
view a related post.
Dreamscape
Gallery: Revamped & Expanded
29 June, 2011
Dreamscape's Toyah Gallery
has been revamped and expanded, with a
huge update of over 350 'new' photos
added. There are now new pages covering
1986 to 2010. These aren't as definitive
as the earlier years pages but at least
the Gallery now includes more than just
the late 70's/early 80's.
• There are
still many photos waiting to be added to
the Gallery when I can find the time.
Thanks to everyone who has sent photos
over the years. Everyone is individually
credited on the new pages.
Dreamscape
Gallery: Toyah @ Wasted 2005
29 June, 2011
Part of the massive Gallery
update: A great collection of Toyah at
'Wasted Festival' 2005 photos. All photos
are by John Shepherd. Click below to view
all 17 photos, and here
for the Gallery Index.
Swindon
Pride: A Message from Toyah
Willcox
29 June, 2011
Last
years headline act, Toyah Willcox has
been kind enough to put together a few
words for us;
"Swindon Pride has a unique
atmosphere. As well as supporting and
celebrating the diverse gay and lesbian
scene in the region it also welcomes
everyone to what is a wonderful family
day..."
Toyah headlines the
Harrogate Fringe Festival on Friday 22nd
July, with a gig that is also the sixth
'From Sheep Farming To Anthem' show. View
Kula Productions great "Toyah
Willcox - Classics Revisited" splash
pages by clicking below. Buy tickets for
the gig here.
From
Sheep Farming... London: Photos
By Mark Evans
22 June, 2011
Three wonderful backstage
photos, from last Friday's London show.
Toyah is pictured with Mark Evans,
Saffron (of recently reformed Republica)
and Gemma Numan (wife of Gary). Please
click on each photo for a larger version.
These are also now at our FSF-A
Gallery.
(Thanks to Mark Evans)
From
Sheep Farming... London: Video
Stills By Damon King
22 June, 2011
A selection of great stills
from video footage filmed at last
Friday's 'FSF-A' Leicester Square Theatre
concert. Please click on each for
fantastic high quality versions. These,
plus one more, have also been added to
our new FSF-A
Gallery.
(Thanks to Damon King)
View some of
Damon's great 'FSF-A' at Leicester Square
Theatre footage, including 'Ieya',
'Danced', 'It's A Mystery' and 'Good
Morning Universe', at his You Tube
channel.
Boyz:
'More Guys Hanging'
22 June, 2011
'Boyz'
magazine, issue 1034, 23rd June 2011,
have already reported on the 'More Guys
Hanging' exhibition, with a mini article
in their 'TBB' section.
TBB and Chrissy
Darling met up with 80s pop
legend Toyah Willcox at
the opening of the Gay Photographers
Network's exhibition More Guys Hanging
earlier this week.
The 'It's A Mystery' singer opened the
show with a speech in which she said the
vibrancy of the photographs on display
'mirrored this great city in which we
live.'
And with snappers on display including
our very own Dean Stockings
and scene DJ Zach Burns,
it's well worth a look!
Toyah, with Dean Stockings
and Chrissy Darling, at the 'More Guys
Hanging' exhibition on Monday night at
The Strand, London. Toyah also tweeted
this photo and said: "Just
opened GAY PHOTOGRAPHERS NETWORK
exhibition in london. excellent stuff :-)"
(Photo by Leigh Carter)
Dirty
Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee: Screen
Caps
22 June, 2011
Screen captures from Toyah's
appearance on Dirty Sexy Funny:
Olivia Lee. This aired last week on
Comedy Central Extra. Please click on the
caps for larger versions.
FSF-A:
You Don't Always Need A Tardis To
Time-Travel!
20 June, 2011
This is genius...
possibly the best promo yet for the 'From
Sheep Farming To Anthem' Tour, a groovy
collision between Toyah and Doctor
Who. Andrew York has really excelled
himself. Now... Why oh why oh why hasn't
Toyah been in Who? Sir Steven of Moffat,
you ought to be ashamed of yourself!
Please click below for a larger version,
and thanks again to Andrew for this.
From
Sheep Farming To Anthem:
Dreamscape Gallery
20 June, 2011
It's about time the
Gallery had an update... Now
Online! Dreamscape's 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' Gallery, with over 150
photos from the four dates of the tour so
far, plus other related odds and ends.
A huge thank you to everyone who has sent
photos, especially from the excellent
Leicester Square Theatre show. If anyone
has any tour pictures they would like
added to the new page let me know.
From
Sheep Farming... London: Photos
By Damon King
20 June, 2011
Check out our massive update
to the new 'From Sheep Farming To Anthem'
Gallery, it includes dozens of fantastic
photos by Damon King, taken at last
Friday's London gig. All of those in the
thumbnails preview below plus many more!
(A huge thank you to Damon)
Official
Toyah: 'From Sheep Farming To
Anthem' Update
20 June, 2011
The Official 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' page at
toyahwillcox.com has been updated with
great new content: There's new banner
logos and the amazing Dean Stockings'
photographs taken backstage at last
Friday's concert. Unmissable! Go straight
there by clicking below.
The
Sun: Toyah Is Too Good For Opera
20 June, 2011
Toyah's
comments on Popstar To Operastar
in her 'Sunday Mercury' interview were
the subject of a mini article in 'The
Sun' today.
Punk singer Toyah Willcox says she was
turned down by ITV1's Popstar To
Operastar show - because she was too
good.
Eighties legend Toyah, 53, said she
screen-tested for the series - which pits
singers like Joe McElderry and Cheryl
Baker of Bucks Fizz against each other to
become opera singers.
The singer - who appeared on Let's Dance
For Comic Relief - said: "I was
trained in opera, so they thought I'd
have an unfair advantage.
"I like the show and would love to
be on it. But it's all about going on a
journey, which doesn't work if you start
off too good."
• Please click on the scan for a
larger version. (Thanks to Alec Kelly)
Sunday
Mercury: Toyah Reveals...
Interview
20 June, 2011
An
interesting new interview with Toyah,
from the 'Sunday Mercury'.
Toyah Willcox reveals why she's
too good for a reality TV show - and why
she's acting for nothing
Singer Toyah Willcox has claimed she was
turned down for hit TV show Popstar to
Operastar – because she was too
good!
The ITV reality
show features the likes of X Factor
winner Joe McElderry, Cheryl Baker –
once of Bucks Fizz – and Claire
Richards from Steps competing against one
another as opera singers.
Birmingham-born musician and actress
Toyah reveals she screen tested for the
current series of Popstar To Operastar,
but was rejected.
“I was trained in opera, so they
thought I’d have an unfair
advantage,” she confesses. “I
like the show and would love to be on it.
But it’s all about going on a
journey, which doesn’t work if you
start off being too good.
• Read the full interview at the
'Sunday Mercury' website, here.
(Thanks to Paul Lomas)
From
Sheep Farming... London: Photos
By Greg Fowler
20 June, 2011
A selection of
great shots, from the Leicester Square
Theatre gig, by Greg Fowler. View larger
versions by clicking on them. These have
also been added to the new 'FSF-A'
Gallery.
Official
Toyah: News & Images Update
20 June, 2011
Words are
useless... Especially sentences... How
can they explain how I feel...
Team Toyah are truly spoiling us Toyah
fans at the moment. Check out
toyahwillcox.com for a great 'FSF-A' news
update and beautiful new banner logos. Go
straight there by clicking below.
From
Sheep Farming... London: Review
By Minna
19 June, 2011
Not
only did Minna, of the Toyah
Willcox Interview Archive,
send us some truly scrumptious Leicester
Square Theatre gig photos, but she has
also given us a great review of the,
fourth and so far
most-attention-grabbing, 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' show.
An announcement: “Three
minutes to go so please take your
seats”.
The lights go down and we are transported
back to 1981. The chirping jungle sounds
of the beginning of “War Boys”
fill the air. I feel like I’m in my
teenage bedroom with my eyes closed and
headphones on, listening to the B-side of
“Four From Toyah”, so thin from
the hundreds of times it’s been on
the turntable it’s almost
see-through. Volume turned up as high as
it will go.
Back in London it's the summer of 2011
and the band start up. Toyah comes
pounding on stage. “We’re the
lords of the jungle!” She’s
wearing the “Be Proud” tunic,
the multi-coloured African bead necklace
and a “Thunder” headpiece. She
looks 20 years younger. “It’s
just another day!” But not for us.
We’ve been waiting for this concert
tour for years. Usually it’s a hit
after hit after hit, we’re getting a
personal favourite after favourite after
favourite. This is a dream come true.
• Read the full review here.
(Thanks also to Damon King for the photos
used on the review page)
From
Sheep Farming: Newsy Bits &
Pieces!
19 June, 2011
•
The Official 'From Sheep Farming To
Anthem' page has been updated with a
collection of fantastic photos from
Friday night's Leicester Square Theatre
gig. The photos, by Chris Jepson, can be
viewed here.
•
Chris Jepson also has a 'flickr' page
with even more great Toyah photos from
Friday. View here.
(Thanks to Andi)
• Minna has uploaded a great video
clip, featuring 'Good Morning Universe'
and 'Rebel Run', from Friday's gig to her
Toyah Fan Videos channel at 'You Tube'.
View here.
• Thanks to yesterday's
post-London-gig excitement and all the
Toyah related activity online, Dreamscape
had one of it's busiest days since
Toyah's 50th birthday back in 2008.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to
visit and view the updates.
• Dean Stockings captured some
fantastic images of Toyah backstage at
the London gig, two of which are
currently viewable on his 'Facebook'
page. No doubt these photographs will be
available at toyahwillcox.com at some
point.
• View Samuel
Moseley's Toyah related blog, here.
An interesting read.
• Toyah's Official
Facebook
posted today: "Official video
footage of Friday night's gig will be
coming soon to
www.toyahwillcox.com".
Toyah
on TV: TV Scrabble
19 June, 2011
The celebrity edition of TV
Scrabble which Toyah guested on ten
years ago is being repeated by Challenge
at the end of the week. This first aired
on the channel in November 2001.
TV Scrabble
: Challenge - Friday 24th June : 5.35am
TV Scrabble : Challenge +1 - Friday 24th
June : 6.35am
Toby Anstis presents a celebrity edition
of the world's most popular word game
turned TV game show. The familiar faces
include Toyah Willcox and Rick Wakeman.
From
Sheep Farming... London: More
Photos Soon!
18 June, 2011
Coming soon to Dreamscape:
More utterly amazing photos from last
night's gig, courtesy of Damon King and
Greg Fowler. It's not an exaggeration to
say that 'Facebook' has gone Toyah crazy
today!
You
Tubing With FSF-A London: Masai
Boy/Demolition Men
18 June, 2011
A couple of great clips of
Toyah, from last night's gig, at 'You
Tube': The rarely played live, 'Masai
Boy' and the never played live before,
'Demolition Men'. (Thanks to Damon King)
From
Sheep Farming... London: More
Incredible Photos
18 June, 2011
More of Minna's incredible
'FSF-A' London photos. Toyah tweeted
two great photos, pre
and post
gig last night, and these messages: "The
theatre is perfect, we love it! Just
setting up....yippee :-)" ... "The
show begins!" ..."Fabulous
, hot, sweaty galore, face melting
show!!!! Thank you ;-) xxx"
From
Sheep Farming... London: More
Amazing Photos
18 June, 2011
Wow! The other dates for
this tour, including the o2 Academy,
Islington, London are a must see!
From
Sheep Farming... London: Set List
18 June, 2011
The set list, including
'Demolition Men', 'Masai Boy' and 'Rebel
Run'. One song never previously performed
live and two not heard for many, many
years. (Thanks to Minna)
From
Sheep Farming... London: More
Photos
18 June, 2011
More great photos. Please
click on each photo for a larger version.
(Thanks again to Minna)
From
Sheep Farming... London: First
Photos
18 June, 2011
Fantastic photos from last
night's London gig. Toyah wearing a
classic Melissa Caplan outfit. Please
click on each photo for a larger version.
(Thanks again to Minna)
From
Sheep Farming... London:
Unmissable!
18 June, 2011
As everyone is more than
aware, Toyah brought her 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' tour to London's
Leicester Square Theatre last night. The
date had been much anticipated since
being announced a few months ago, and
it's clear from these incredible photos
that Toyah really gave her fans something
they have wanted and waited on for over
30 years... a real acknowledgement of her
early music and the wonderful visual
imagery that often accompanied her
singles and albums!
There was no other
female artists like Toyah back then, she
was always interesting, always unique and
remains so. The reason why so many of us
have stayed loyal. A huge thank you must
also go to Sean
Chapman
who has worked night and day to create
the great visuals used last night.
• Massive
thank you to Minna, of the Toyah
Willcox Interview Archive,
for generously sending me a large
selection of amazing photos from the gig.
Glad you had a good time Min.
From
Sheep Farming... London: Live!
Tonight!!
17 June, 2011
This evening Toyah brings
'Sheep Farming To Anthem' to London. The
most anticipated live Toyah gig since the
Mean Fiddler 2003 show. She will rock the
Leicester Square Theatre!
From
Sheep Farming To Anthem:
Dreamscape News
17 June, 2011
It's an exciting day in the
life of the 'From Sheep Farming To
Anthem' tour, the live event of 2011 for
Toyah fans. View Dreamscape's
comprehensive News Archive, covering all
things 'FSF-A', here.
Visit the Official Toyah website's
dedicated 'FSF-A' page, for dates, ticket
info & much more, here.
Lady
GaGa Unveils 'The Edge of Glory'
Video
17 June, 2011
Lady Gaga seems to be
changing her image as often as Toyah did
in the Eighties... her new song Government
Hooker
begins with vocals sounding uncannily
Like Toyah (Thanks John Shepherd), and
now, promoting 'The Edge Of Glory', she's
adopted one of Toyah's famous poses...
From
Sheep Farming... London: One Day
To Go
16 June, 2011
There's
now just one day to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' plays London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
It's our final Melissa Caplan inspired
update/countdown. Toyah tweeted a great photo of
some of her Melissa outfits yesterday
(Thanks Michael). Tomorrow evening
hundreds of Toyah fans will be treated to
a gig of great music, awesome visuals and
fantastic nostalgia. It's an early show,
8pm start at very latest! Doors open from
7pm. Have fun everyone and best wishes to
Toyah and band for a rocking concert!
Official
Toyah: Toyah Kicks Off Special
Anniversary Tour
16 June, 2011
TOYAH
KICKS OFF SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY TOUR
FEATURING CULT CLASSICS, DARK ANTHEMS
& HIT SINGLES
Celebrating
the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough
hit It's A Mystery and the
platinum-selling album Anthem, Toyah has
confirmed a special anniversary tour
which kicks off on Friday 17 June at
London’s Leicester Square Theatre.
Tickets are on sale now. Visit gigs for
full details & ticket links.
The “From Sheep Farming To
Anthem” show includes selections
drawn exclusively from Toyah's first
three albums, Sheep Farming In Barnet,
The Blue Meaning and Anthem. These unique
readings and fresh, live interpretations
of classic material have been praised
highly with rave reviews for a preview
concerts date at Liverpool's legendary
Cavern Club.
The Leicester Square concert date will
also see Toyah revisit the colourful and
iconic imagery which became synonymous
with her name, with original 1980s
costumes. There will also be a 21st
century re-working of the renowned hair
and make-up which Toyah became recognized
for and which helped define the look of
the 1980s. The striking Toyah visuals
which she created were an innovative
forerunner of the styles and approaches
adopted by the hitmakers of today
including Lady GaGa and Gwen Stefani.
Toyah has recently been cited as
influencing or drawing comparisons with
contemporary music acts Marina & The
Diamonds, Andi Fraggs and Florence &
The Machine.
• Read the full news
update at Toyah's Official News page, here.
Rock
Times: Toyah
16 June, 2011
A
1981 article on Toyah from 'Rock Times'
magazine.
Talented actress, successful
singer, forthright woman all rolled into
one. Maggie Monks traces the rise and
rise of Toyah Willcox.
Toyah
Willcox has done what most of us dream
about - and could do if we had the
courage.
She kicked away the traces of a well-off
upbringing at a private school and left
with only one "O" level - in
music. She left her school in the
Midlands "by mutual agreement"
after failing the other nine
"O" levels.
She had a lisp and a stammer and had
special speech therapy lessons to correct
them, though the lisp is still faintly
audible. She weighed in at around eleven
stone, even though she's barely five foot
tall.
• Read the full article
at our 'Press Archive' here.
Gaydar
Radio Interview:
Podcast/Transcript
16 June, 2011
Toyah's
recent 'Gaydar Radio' interview is now
available to download as a podcast, here. A
full transcript of Phil Marriott's
interview is also available at the 'Toyah
Willcox Interview Archive', here.
From
Sheep Farming... London: Two Days
To Go
15 June, 2011
There's
now just two days to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' plays London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
Melissa Caplan designed many of Toyah's
iconic early costumes, and Toyah
confirmed during her 'Gaydar Radio'
interview last night that she will be
wearing some of of them this Friday,
saying there would be five costume
changes!
Toyah
Live 2011: Blackpool Pride: More
Photos/Video
15 June, 2011
The 'Blackpool Pride'
website has a gallery of great photos of
Toyah. View here.
(Thanks to Michael O'Brien). There are
also brief clips at' You Tube' of Toyah's
two weekend shows, here
and here.
Time
Out: Looking For Toyah
15 June, 2011
A very interesting
article on, and interview with, Toyah,
from 'Time Out' magazine in 1980.
Next Thursday Derek Jarman's
film of 'The Tempest' opens. Toyah
Willcox, late of 'Jubilee' and
'Quadrophenia' plays Miranda. Chris Auty
went in search of Ms Willcox...
Last Easter weekend in Brighton,
Scarborough and Southend, nearly 400
kids, mostly mods and skinheads, were
arrested after violent clashes with
bikers, holidaymakers and police. Said
one mod, happily: 'The 60s were the great
time.' In outraged newspaper editorials
the next day you see one word:
'Quadrophenia'.
From peeling posters for that film Toyah
Willcox's face stares out, a new Wave
icon being used to paper over the
punk-mod gap. Strange to think just how
much the film originally relied on the
life-blood of punk culture; Johnny Rotten
was auditioned for the film's lead and
Toyah came to the film after 'Jubilee'.
• Read the full article at our
'Press Archive' here.
(Thanks to Andi)
Toyah
Newsy Bits & Pieces!
15 June, 2011
• Phil Marriott's
'Gaydar Radio' interview with Toyah aired
last night. It was a great show, with
Toyah talking about her new dance
project, this year's tour, making a
banana candle on the Wide Awake Club
in 1985 (yes, really) and much more. She
also confirmed that she WILL be wearing
some of her incredible Melissa Caplan
outfits at the 'FSF-A' Leicester Sq.
Theatre gig this Friday!
• Check out the Limahl/Kajagoogoo
fansite Kajafax
for some photos of Toyah & Limahl at
last Wednesday's "secret" gig -
Comic Relief "Thank You" Party
@ Fabric. Limahl told KajaFax,
“There was an 80's poptastic moment
when Toyah joined me onstage to perform
the girl harmony part on
‘Neverending Story’ – the
crowd loved it and lots of people were
filming on their mobile phones”
• Robert Fripp's, always
entertaining. online Diary has some great
photos of Toyah and Robert during May's
birthday/anniversary week. Visit here.
(Thanks to Minna)
From
Sheep Farming... London: Three
Days To Go
14 June, 2011
There's
now just three days to go until 'From
Sheep Farming To Anthem' hits London, at
the Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has
said the gig will be "A true
celebration of 30 years of images!"
Melissa Caplan designed many of Toyah's
iconic early costumes, some of which she
will, hopefully, wear on Friday. Steve
Strange, Spandau Ballet, Bucks Fizz and
many others also wore clothes designed by
Melissa.
Jackie:
Dressed To Thrill: Melissa Caplan
Interview
14 June, 2011
We
talk to Melissa Caplan, one of Britain's
top fashion designers.
Although she's only 22, Melissa Caplan's
exotic and extravagantly designed clothes
are frequently seen in magazines, fashion
shows as far off as New York, and on
television.
You might have seen dresses and suits
designed by her without even knowing it,
because among her devoted customers she
can name Toyah Willcox, Steve Strange and
most of the members of Spandau Ballet. We
spoke to Melissa recently to find out
more about the lady herself, and her
clothes.
Toyah guests on Bio's Celebrity
Ghost Stories this Thursday at 9pm.
Here's a few screen captures from the new
trailer currently airing on the channel.
From
Sheep Farming... London: Four
Days To Go
13 June, 2011
There's
just four days to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' hits London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
Melissa Caplan designed many of Toyah's
iconic early costumes, some of which she
will, hopefully, wear on Friday. Here's a
few more Q&A's from Melissa's
interview with 'Intergalactic Ranchouse'
in 1982:
How did you first get into
designing and when?
Professionally it was about two years
ago, but it's a very slow process because
of contacts and things. The first order
once I had left college was from Toyah,
and the money that she gave me started
the company. I plough all of my money
into the business and keep expanding.
Are you friends with Toyah?
Yes, we started off as friends.
Toyah describes you as a genius.
How do you describe her? If I
said she had good taste it would be
biased because she buys my clothes, but
she's developed her own image alongside
the clothes and the image they give her.
Toyah
Live 2011: Pride Afterparty:
Photos/Set List
13 June, 2011
Toyah last night at the
Blackpool Pride Afterparty at Ma Kellys.
The set list was Schools Out, Rebel Yell,
Echo Beach, Thunder In The Mountains,
Sweet Child 'O Mine, It's A Mystery, I
Love Rock N Roll and I Want To be Free.
(Thanks to Michael O'Brien, pictured with
Toyah below, for the photos and Paul
Lomas for the set list info)
From
Sheep Farming... London: Five
Days To Go
12 June, 2011
There's
just five days to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' hits London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
Many of Toyah's most memorable and iconic
outfits were designed/co-designed by
Melissa Caplan. It's anticipated that
one, or more, of Melissa's designs will
be worn by Toyah this Friday.
Melissa was interviewed by Toyah's
Official Fanclub, 'Intergalactic
Ranchouse', in 1982:
How did you and Toyah first get
together? We met at a party. I
asked her about the colour of her hair
and she asked me about a skirt. We were
the only two real freaks there.
Has Toyah ever said that she
doesn't like a design? Not yet.
There have had to be alterations. In
Dublin a sleeve got ripped off. I was a
bit upset. Another time she had a skirt
ripped off... Toyah's clothes get ripped
and battered so they get in a bad
condition. I build them to last though.
Which of your designs do you like
best? I did a royal blue suede
tunic for Toyah but my favourite one
changes as I progress.
Toyah
Live 2011: Blackpool Pride:
Photos/Set List
12 June, 2011
Toyah onstage last night,
headlining Blackpool Pride with a fun,
high-spirited performance. The set list,
including a Lady Gaga cover, was:
Ballroom Blitz, Echo Beach, It's A
Mystery, Rebel Yell, These Boots Are Made
For Walkin', Bad Romance and I Want To Be
Free. Please click on each photo for
larger versions. (Thanks to Glyn Whelan
for the great photos and info)
You
Tubing with Toyah: Toyah Fan
Videos
12 June, 2011
Minna's ever growing Toyah Fan
Videos
channel at 'You Tube' has a plethora of
new, and excellent, clips. These include
songs by Sunday All Over The World, This
Fragile Moment and, the 1987 'Desire' era
'Plenty' and 'Sun Up', utilising Andrew
York's stunning Toyah artwork to great
affect.
Somewhere
In The Distance: Spiky Toyah 1981
12 June, 2011
Have always loved this photo
session, it made a great fold-out poster
in one of the Toyah Special magazines in
early 1982. View, almost, all of the
photos from this Autumn 1981 session here.
Toyah
on TV: Celebrity Ghost Stories UK
12 June, 2011
Celebrity Ghost
Stories UK : Bio - Thursday 16th June :
9.00pm
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK : Bio - Friday
17th June : 00.00am
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK : Bio - Friday
17th June : 10.00pm
Sue Cook reveals creepy encounters with a
malevolent nutcracker and a UFO, Toyah
Willcox speaks of a spooky apparation,
and Alex Fearns discusses sinister sounds
he once caught on tape.
WFMU:
A Celebration of the Crimson
Queen
12 June, 2011
The
brilliant 'WFMU' Toyah Birthday Special
is still available to listen to online here.
Julie Bennack interviews Toyah (airs in
four parts) and dedicates a full three
hour show to Toyah, and Toyah related,
music. Amazing!
The show is packed full of great music:
The Helium Song, Come, Indecision, Ieya,
It's A Mystery, Bird in Flight, Good
Morning Universe, Symbiotic. Plus music
by The Maneaters, Sunday All Over The
World, The Humans, This Fragile Moment,
Kiss of Reality, Kate Bush, David Bowie,
Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Goldfrapp...
Toyah
on TV: TOTP: The
Story Of 1976
12 June, 2011
Top Of The Pops: The
Story Of 1976, first broadcast in
April, airs again on BBC Four next week.
Toyah reminisces about being a teenage Top
Of The Pops viewer in the mid-70's.
This also includes a very brief clip of
BBC play Glitter, Toyah's very
first tv appearance from 1976
Top Of The
Pops: The Story Of 1976 : BBC Four -
Sunday 19th June : 1.40am
The nation grew up with Top of the Pops
and it was always a talking point, but 35
years ago a particular kind of Top of the
Pops programme and tone held sway. This
documentary explores Top of the Pops in
1976, as a barometer of the state of pop
and light entertainment TV. It celebrates
the power of the programme and observes
British society of the mid 70s, British
TV and the British pop scene. In 1976,
glam was over and nothing had replaced it
- the charts belonged to Showaddywaddy,
Brotherhood of Man and the Wurzels, all
to be found on Top of the Pops hosted by
the Radio 1 DJs. If you wanted rock you
looked to the Old Grey Whistle Test,
while outside the charts a new scene was
rumbling.
Toyah
on TV: Shoestring
11 June, 2011
The classic episode of Shoestring,
from 1979, "Find The Lady",
featuring Toyah as Toola and the band
playing a great version of 'Danced', airs
again on Alibi later this month.
Shoestring
: Alibi - Friday 24th June : 7.00am
Shoestring : Alibi - Saturday 25th June :
2.00am Find the Lady. Our favourite
crumpled private eye investigates the
reported murder of a seaside beauty
queen. More vintage crime cracking with
Trevor Eve. Starring: Trevor Eve, Michael
Medwin, Doran Godwin, Christopher
Biggins, Toyah Willcox and Gary Holton.
Also airing on Alibi +1
Gaydar
Toyah Interview: New Airdate
11 June, 2011
Toyah's
Gaydar Radio interview has a new airdate,
it's been rescheduled from tomorrow to
Tuesday. Toyah will talk 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' and much more with
Phil Marriott on his show, airing 6 to
10pm. http://gaydarradio.com/
Toyah,
Daleks & Blackpool
11 June, 2011
Toyah
is in Blackpool this weekend, playing at
Blackpool Pride today on the North Pier
Main Stage and at Ma Kelly's Showbar for
the Blackpool Pride Afterparty tomorrow
night. There's a great view from her
hotel... featuring various Daleks and a
TARDIS or two! Toyah tweeted: Oh no!
There are daleks outside my room.....wish
it was cyber men! :-) • Follow
Toyah @ Twitter here,
and check out Toyah's Whovian view, here.
Somewhere
In The Distance: NME 1979
11 June, 2011
It's back!! Somewhere In The
Distance: Our (very) sporadic features
highlighting random brilliance from
Toyah's awesome past: Here's a very rare
photo session from an NME article
published in early 1979. Please click on
each photo for full/larger versions.
(Thanks to Andi)
Dreamscape
Features: Toyah's Colourful &
Exciting Past
11 June, 2011
Visit Dreamscape's Toyah
Features section... More Toyah than you
can shake a huge bangle @!!
The
Independent: More Guys Hanging -
Picture Preview
10 June, 2011
More
Guys Hanging, the second annual
exhibition by the Gay Photographers
Network, opens in London in just over a
week.
Today 'The Independent' has published a
picture preview of the event and quoted
Toyah in the article.
Actress and singer Toyah Willcox, who
featured in Dean Stockings’
‘Sofa So Naked’ series, will open
the exhibition which is also a fundraiser
for the Disabled Photographer’s
Society and London Friend.
“[The exhibition] is such a great
mixture of talent and creativity in
support of such worthy charities,”
Wilcox said. “To see collective
works such as these intensifies the
individual visions of each photographer.
It is inspiring.”
The show at the Strand Gallery opens on
21 June until 26 June.
FSF-A
Official T-Shirt: Make Your
Tribal Look
10 June, 2011
A brand new official Toyah
t-shirt celebrating the "From Sheep
Farming to Anthem Tour".... on sale
at gigs soon!
Phil
Marriott Show: Gaydar Radio:
Toyah Interview
10 June, 2011
Toyah
was interviewed earlier this week by Phil
Marriott of Gaydar Radio for a Toyah
Special airing this coming Sunday on
Phil's show. She will be talking about
her upcoming tour and imminent From Sheep
Farming To Anthem: Classics Live @
Leicester Sq Theatre date. Listen to the
broadcast this Sunday 6-10pm.
http://gaydarradio.com/
From
Sheep Farming To Anthem: 18 Dates
On Sale
10 June, 2011
From
Sheep Farming To Anthem: 18 UK dates on
sale now, including London (Leicester Sq
Theatre), Oxford, Harrogate, Bromsgrove,
Blackpool, Isle of Man, Southampton,
Surrey, Hertford, Wolverhampton, Hoylake,
Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester,
Leamington, Nottingham and London (
Islington o2 Academy).
Andi
Fraggs Joins 'FSF-A' UK Tour
10 June, 2011
Andi Fraggs was
recently announced as Toyah's opening act
on seven of the 'From Sheep Farming To
Anthem' tour dates later this year.
Andi will be performing at The Classic
Grand, Glasgow on 26th October right
through to the o2 Academy, Islington on
5th November, visiting Bristol, Cardiff,
Manchester, Leamington and Nottingham
along the way. As Toyah is one of Andi's
favourite musicians it makes this
exciting news even more special.
• Andi Fraggs' new single,
'Reality', is available now. All profits
fron the sale of the single will be
donated to 'London Friend'. Visit Andi's
Official Website, here.
Toyah
Live 2011: Two Blackpool PA's
This Weekend
10 June, 2011
Toyah
plays two PA's this weekend at Blackpool
Pride.
Saturday 11 June 2011
North Pier Main Stage, Blackpool
Live PA at Blackpool Pride
www.blackpoolpride.com
Sunday 12 June 2011
Ma Kelly's Showbar
77 Talbot Road , Blackpool
Live PA Performance for Blackpool Pride
Afterparty
Tickets/info: 01253 623249
•
Visit the Official Blackpool Pride
website, here,
and www.makellys.com, here.
Thanks to Paul Lomas for the Ma Kelly's
flyer. Please click on the photo for a
larger version.
Power
Of Three: Sneak Preview(s)
10 June, 2011
Sneak
previews of Power Of Three took
place in London, Bath and Birmingham this
week. Toyah was in attendance last night
at the Electric Cinema in Birmingham and
participated in a Q&A session after
the screening.
A feel good comedy filmed in London, The
Power of Three stars Robin Craig, Toyah
Willcox & Brumilda Van Rensburg. For
one night only, the film has a special
sneak preview screening on Thursday 9
June 2011 at Electric Cinema, 47-49
Station Street, Birmingham. The screening
event will have Toyah present as a
special guest and takes place from
6.00pm-8.00pm. There is also a Q&A
directly after the screening
Lizzie, Michelle and Olivia were best
friends at university. A team. But that
was 30 years ago. Three friends re-unite
to discover the women they once were and
could be again. It’s never too late
to follow your dream. The Power of Three
test screened in Toronto: “A
wonderful little film: the pace never
slows, lots of laughs, a few tears, but
has a point to make and makes it.”
Ladybird
Live: Trailer
10 June, 2011
Stratford
Herald: Celebrity Reads
Children's Book
10 June, 2011
Celebrity
Reads Children's Book To Youngsters
Actress and singer Toyah Willcox is
pictured with little ladybirds Jack
Farquhar-Smith, Ellie Farquhar-Smith and
Dorothy Homer at the Ladybird Live
storytime event held at
Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse on
Tuesday.
The punk princess and voice of children
television programmes Brum and
Teletubbies read Little Red Riding Hood
to the children. Ladybird Books and BBC
radio’s performance poet Murray
Lachlan Young have been hosting a series
of live storytelling events at
Picturehouse Cinemas in May and June. The
events have been designed to encourage
young children to love and embrace
reading and books from the earliest age.
Toyah
Reads 'Little Red Riding Hood'
10 June, 2011
Toyah
is part of a special lineup of Ladybird
Live
storytimes for under-fives at
Picturehouse Cinemas this May and June.
Ladybird Books and BBC radio's favourite
performance poet Murray Lachlan Young
will host a series of live and hilarious
storytelling extravaganzas at Picturehouse
Cinemas
from 31 May to 28 June. Watch a trailer
for the events here.
Designed to encourage very young children
to love and embrace reading and books
from the earliest age, the show will
encourage the audience to dance, get-up
on stage, complete easy rhymes and join
in the animal noises in an enlightening
hour of merriment and mayhem. Tickets
priced £3.00. For full event listings
visit www.ladybirdlive.com
• View the full news update at
Toyah's Official website, here.
Boyz:
Hanging With The Boys
10 June, 2011
TBB
have discovered that punk icon and I'm
A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
contestant Toyah Willcox will be opening
the Gay Photographer's Network's
exhibition next month before digging out
all her crazy 80s outfits when she
performs at the Leicester Square Theatre
and releasing her new album Sugar Rush.
Speaking of the exhibition, which will
raise money for charities London Friend
and Disabled Photographers, Toyah said,
'I am delighted to be invited to open the
exhibition - it's such a great mixture of
talent and creativity and in support of
such worthy charities. To see collective
works such as these itensifies the
individual visions of each and every
photographer. It is inspiring.'
• View a larger version here.
Thanks to Dean Stockings.
From
Sheep Farming To Anthem:
Leicester Sq Theatre
10 June, 2011
The
fourth 'From Sheep Farming To Anthem'
gig, at Leicester Sq Theatre, London, is
now just a week away. Various snippets of
info have been tweeted (by Toyah) and
posted online in recent weeks, most
notably:
Make-up artist booked for new surreal
image at Leicester Square show. A true
celebration of 30 years of images!
More
'FSF-A' London gig tweets: Just
re-learning Masai Boy......so excited!
"God's eye. Volcano Cry"... Up
at 4.30 this morn learning 6 new songs
plus revising 19 others for coming
weeks.... there's suprises in store
:-)... Some of my original costumes might
make a surprise appearance at Leicester
Square gig. Did i say might? ;-)... we're
putting 3 surprise songs to the
@lsqtheatre set list as most requested
from fans....... ;-) are you coming?
Britain's
Best Dish @ ITV Player
10 June, 2011
Toyah guested on Celebrity
Britain's Best Dish on ITV1 last
week. The full programme is available to
watch, for the next three weeks, online
at ITV Player. Go here to
view.
Toyah on TV
10 June, 2011
Hole
In The Wall : CBBC - Friday 10th June :
4.30pm
The celebrity contestants are TV chef
Simon Rimmer, singer Toyah Willcox,
actress Zaraah Abrahams and presenter
Barney Harwood, captained by rugby legend
Austin Healey and EastEnders' Joe Swash.
Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee :
Comedy Central Extra - Monday 13th June :
11.20pm
Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee : Comedy
Central Extra - Tuesday 14th June :
2.20am
Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee : Comedy
Central Extra - Sunday 19th June : 3.45am
Olivia Lee stars in this hidden camera
sketch show. New and made exclusively for
Comedy Central. Deaf Bubba makes a mess
of things at the marina and Elaine Caine
meets Toyah Willcox.
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK : Bio
- Thursday 16th June : 9.00pm
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK : Bio - Friday
17th June : 00.00am
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK : Bio - Friday
17th June : 10.00pm
Episode Six. Sue Cook reveals creepy
encounters with a malevolent nutcracker
and a UFO, Toyah Willcox speaks of a
spooky apparation, and Alex Fearns
discusses sinister sounds he once caught
on tape.
TV Scrabble
: Challenge - Friday 24th June : 5.35am
TV Scrabble : Challenge +1 - Friday 24th
June : 6.35am
Toby Anstis presents a celebrity edition
of the world's most popular word game
turned TV game show. The familiar faces
include Toyah Willcox and Rick Wakeman.
Shoestring : Alibi -
Friday 24th June : 7.00am
Shoestring : Alibi - Saturday 25th June :
2.00am Find the Lady. Our favourite
crumpled private eye investigates the
reported murder of a seaside beauty
queen. More vintage crime cracking with
Trevor Eve. Starring: Trevor Eve, Michael
Medwin, Doran Godwin, Christopher
Biggins, Toyah Willcox and Gary Holton.
Also airing on Alibi +1
Dreamscape
News Archive: April & May
2011
10 June, 2011
Dreamscape News for April
and May
2011 has now been archived. Visit our
News Archive below.
Official
Toyah: June 2011 Blog
10 June, 2011
Toyah’s June 2011 Blog
has been added to The Official Toyah
website. Click below to go there.
Toyah Newsy
Bits & Pieces!
10 June, 2011
•
Toyah has been confirmed for Manchester
Pride. A PA will take place on Monday
29th August, beginning at 5pm.
• Toyah, along with Clare Grogan and
Limahl, played a "secret gig"
this week in aid of Comic Relief. Toyah
tweeted: "I'm in secret venue with
limahl, clare and comic relief team.
About to go on stage..... Richard Curtis
is in the house! So excited :-)"
• A new Toyah photo shoot will be
published in the HOME section of a
forthcoming issue of 'The Sunday Times',
possibly around the end of this month.
• Toyah has recently been asked to
appear on The Sooty Show,
critique the "Slut Walk",
participate in a US docu on funeral
wishes and appear at a Freddie Mercury
tribute concert. Variety is definitely
the Willcox spice of life!!
Absolute
Toyah: 21st Century Toyah by Sean
Chapman
10 June, 2011
Check out Dreamscape's new
feature for Toyah's Birthday: Absolute
Toyah!
There's
now just one day to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' plays London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
There's
now just two days to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' plays London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
There's
now just three days to go until 'From
Sheep Farming To Anthem' hits London, at
the Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has
said the gig will be "A true
celebration of 30 years of images!"
There's
just four days to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' hits London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
There's
just five days to go until 'From Sheep
Farming To Anthem' hits London, at the
Leicester Square Theatre. Toyah has said
the gig will be "A true celebration
of 30 years of images!"
Hole
In The Wall : CBBC - Friday 10th June :
4.30pm
•
Toyah has been confirmed for Manchester
Pride. A PA will take place on Monday
29th August, beginning at 5pm.
