[ Please click here or above to race through (cyber)space back to '82 ]

[ Please click on the banner to go to Downloads - Thanks to Andi ]

[ Thanks to Minna ]

According to the Official Howard Jones website the gig at Skegness Embassy Theatre on 16th November is off, and according to the Official ABC/Martin Fry website Skegness AND the gig at Tunbridge Wells Assembly Halls on 7th December are no longer going ahead either.

[ Sources: www.abcmartinfry.com / www.howardjones.com - 28th October 2006 ]

Quadrophenia : ITV4 - Tuesday 7th November : 10.00pm
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Directed by Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, Ray Winstone and Toyah Willcox.

Proud Parents saw Toyah and her dad meet up on his boat to talk about Toyah's early life. Toyah's dad, Beric, remembered highlights from Toyah's career (Trafford Tanzi, playing live in Birmingham etc.), and talked about Toyah as a child. He is definitely a proud parent!

Running Time: 8.31secs : File Size: 35.3mb

[ Many thanks to Andi Westhorpe ]

The remainder of 2006 is busy for Toyah. She still has a number of dates of the 'Hitmakers Tour' to play throughout England in November and December, as well as a gig at Butlins.

There's also a guest appearance at the 'Collectormania' event at the Manchester G-mex, and panto in Brighton to round off the year.

Check back soon for more captures from the programme.

[ Thanks to Andi Westhorpe ]

Talking Shop: Toyah Willcox
Singer, actress and TV presenter Toyah Willcox is currently touring the UK with fellow 1980s stars Martin Fry of ABC and Howard Jones on The Hitmakers Tour, taking in venues across the UK. 

Toyah, 48, had hits with It's A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, in the 1980s, and has gone on to carve out an eclectic career in entertainment.

Click on the pics or link below to read the full interview.

[ Source: www.bbc.co.uk - Monday 23rd October 2006 - Thanks to Merx ]

'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!' was originally released in 1980, on vinyl and cassette, by Safari Records. The album was reissued in 1990 (along with 'Sheep Farming In Barnet' and 'The Blue Meaning'), on CD and coloured vinyl, by the Great Expectations label, with slightly different artwork to the original.

This third issue, featuring bonus tracks, expanded artwork and sleevenotes, is another welcome Toyah CD reissue on the Cherry Red label.

Nicola's comments about Toyah are interesting. We have rarely heard anything from Toyah's family about her. Nicola talks about growing up with her sister, the various hair colours, going to Toyah's early gigs, her least-favourite Toyah moment, and her hopes for Toyah's future. Toyah also talks about growing up with Nicola.

[ Thanks to Paul Lomas for the pictures ]

Were you one of the many millions who grew up on SMASH HITS? Did you collect the stickers, pull out the posters, read the lyrics to La Bamba and suddenly realise it was a song about 'doing the goat'? (hmmm). If you remember catchphrases such as 'Uncle Disgusting' and 'sniiiip!', if you kissed your poster of Morten Harket before you went to bed or thrilled when a SMASH HITS journalist fearlessly asked David Bowie 'you're not very good at acting, are you?' - then this book is for you. In its heyday in the mid to late 1980s SMASH HITS enjoyed a circulation of over one million passionate readers. THE BEST OF SMASH HITS is for all those readers: a glorious, full-colour celebration of all the best (and some of the worst) bits. Including all the best features (Morrissey and Pete Burns' legendary joint interview!); the weirdest cover stars (Strawberry Switchblade!), the strangest song lyrics, the best 'black type' letters and more, it will also include memories from those who worked on the magazine. Genuinely engrossing, THE BEST OF SMASH HITS is a hugely entertaining jaunt back to a time when journalists asked irreverent questions and pop stars had to answer them. 

Proud Parents - Ch4 - Monday 23rd October : 1.25pm
Toyah Willcox: Proud Parents looks at a celebrity's life through the eyes of their parents. Performer, author and TV star Toyah Willcox visits her dad aboard his beloved boat.

The Most Fertile Man in Ireland : Sky Movies 3 - Tue 24th October : 02.45am
The Most Fertile Man in Ireland : Sky Movies 3 - Wed 1st November : 03.45am
Bedded by his town's good-time girl, Eamonn quickly acquires a reputation as a man who can make babies. While both sides of Belfast struggle with their sperm-counts, the lucky man becomes the hot property of both Catholics and Protestants. Crown jewel comedy. Director: Dudi Appleton. Starring: Kris Marshall, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Bronagh Gallagher, James Nesbitt, Kenneth Cranham, Toyah Willcox and Olivia Nash.

Inside Out : BBC1 Midlands - Mon 30th October : 7.30pm
Surprising real-life stories from familiar places. East: The transplant tourists prepared to risk everything to avoid a life on dialysis, and John Holmes reveals the link between cult film Quadrophenia and the East Midlands. West: Jess Whittaker meets the women determined to sell their eggs to childless couples and Matt Gull uncovers new evidence about the Midlands' worst mining disaster.

Eighties pop princess Toyah Willcox joined like-minded fans of complementary medicine at the Natural Living show in Cheltenham.The actress and presenter, who lives in Pershore, opened the two-day show at Pittville Pump Room.

Fans asked her about her spirituality. She said: "We're all here because we believe that nature has the power to heal and help us.

"There's so much pollution in our lives today what with cars and machines.

"This is a chance to discover how we can use nature to make a positive change."

The show drew more than 50 complementary health and mind body spirit practitioners and 1,000 visitors.

They found out about skin care and nutrition, tried therapies such as reflexology and reiki and heard talks on how to find peace in a hectic world.

Food intolerance tester Bob White, from Whittington, said: "It shows the many natural ways people can improve their lives."

Chrissie Barker, from event sponsors the Cheltenham-based Isbourne Foundation, said: "It gives people the opportunity to see a lot of different techniques."

There was the chance to stock up on books, ambient music, belly dancing, clothing and gifts.

Mandy Dudfield, from Tewkesbury, said: "It was amazing. It looked brilliant and was inspiring."

[ News Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk - 18th October 2006 ]

• Toyah Willcox and her sister share family secrets. Toyah & Nicola tell how the years have brought them closer together in a two-page feature, with photos.

Toyah is also pictured at Le Caprice 25th Birthday Party, mentioned on Dreamscape on 5th October (see below).

[ Thanks to John, & Penny Andrew ]

Toyah talks about her early life, career, and performs 'Little Tears Of Love'. Please note, this file is quite large in size to ensure quality.

Download the second part by right clicking on the link. Part One is still available for anyone who hasn't yet downloaded it. These won't be added to the Downloads section as they will only be available for a limited time.

[ Many thanks to Andi Westhorpe ]

80s hitmaker Toyah hits the road

Singer Toyah Willcox has joined other stars from the 1980s on the Hitmakers Tour, taking in several UK venues.

Toyah, who had hits with 'It's A Mystery' and 'I Want To Be Free', says the music is a hit with everyone: "My generation are the generation that did not grow up", says the 48-year-old musician, actress and presenter. "Obviously we have the original fans and their children as well, but the audience is getting younger, thanks to things like MTV."

The Hitmakers Tour comes hot on the heels of a resurgence in the popularity of 80s music and fashion - something Toyah is revelling in.

"The music has come up big time with a younger generation," she says. "They can remember the 80s but can't remember the bad days of politics around then. They just remember the music."

Toyah, who rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s, says she is enjoying her music career as she begins the Hitmakers Tour of the UK.

"These days I just go out and enjoy it," says Toyah, who has scored several Top 40 hits. "In the last 12 months I have had 10 re-released albums and they are now in all the major record shops. It's more fun now because I'm not having to churn out hit after hit... it was back breaking."

Toyah starred in ITV's I'm A Celebrity... in 2003. "I was expecting a bit of a rest, a bit of sunshine, but it was freezing. I was starving and covered in leeches. I'm sure the audience think we go off to a hotel for a meal every night and have a nice bath. You don't. You stink. it was tough. I don't envy anyone going on it now - In fact I get a thrill out of knowing what they are going to be going through!"

Toyah says she enjoys the fame her career has brought. She has been in the public eye since the laste 1970s when her music and film career first took off.

"I'm a big fan of attention and I don't have a problem with being in magazines, and I play the celebrity game anyway. But I'm a woman over the age of 30, and I have an established career, so don't have that terrible intrusion."

Toyah says she would not want to be starting today: "I think it's different today. in my day there were independent record labels and you could be very successful with them. To have longevity these days you have to be very talented, and I'm not sure the labels are promoting longevity.

"The music industry is going through a huge change, and I don't think anyone is sure how it is going to play out."

[ News Source: BBC Ceefax - 16th October 2006 - Thanks to Zoe Clow ]

As well as being included on their Toyah page the CD is also currently pictured on the website's front page.

The, expanded, Special Edition 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!' CD is available to buy from next Monday (23rd October).

SATURDAY ROOM 1: 10.30am - 11am - Meet Toyah Willcox
Actress, singer, writer and broadcaster Toyah Willcox will be taking a break from her UK tour to open the Natural Living Show on Saturday 14th October. Alongside her work as a performer Toyah has managed to embrace the world of complementary health and spirituality. 

To celebrate the day Toyah will be doing a Question and Answer session which will cover how homeopathy plays a part in her life right through to her belief in the power of angels.

SAT 14TH / SUN 15TH Oct 2006 10am-5pm
Pittville Pump Room, Pittville Park, Cheltenham GL52 3JE
Admission £3.50 / £2.50 concessions / Weekend Ticket £6
Accompanied Children U.14 FREE

Click on the image to download the full brochure (in PDF format).

[ Source: www.naturalhealthshows.co.uk ]

Toyah will also be discussing her allegiance to therapies such as homeopathy.

A host of activities including workshops, demonstrations, tarot reading, psychics and healers will be attending the show.

Organiser Tim Marlowe said: "Cheltenham has a remarkably large representation of people interested in healing and mind and body spirit activities which generates an incredible buzz.

"Last year's show attracted 1,000 people and we expect that number to swell this year."

A member of the Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health, the event aims to bridge the gap between the NHS and complimentary medicine. Now in its 11th year, it has become a major event on the holistic exhibition circuit.

[ News Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk - 12th October 2006 ]

The Hitmakers Tour @ Opera House
by Glenn Meads, 12/10/06

The Hitmakers Tour is yet another attempt at nostalgia from an era when waffle trousers, two-tone mullets and safari suits where all the rage. Toyah Willcox, Howard Jones and ABC have a combined total of 280 weeks in the charts and they attempt to bring the '80s back to an enthusiastic audience, eager to turn back the clock.

Toyah opens the set with a really embarrassing cover of 'Are you Gonna Go My Way?' Dancing like Kate Bush used to in 1977, announcing that she is “two months older than Madonna” doesn’t really let her off.

Her performance is very ‘cruise-ship.’ A cover of 'Echo Beach' is above average followed by the ex-punk’s hits. After a while though, you are tempted to shout at the former jungle star: “I’m a music fan; get me out of here.”

A twenty minute interval follows to allow Howard Jones time to fill the stage with hi-tech equipment. Keyboards, screens and huge loud speakers make you believe that this set could be ‘the one.’ 

But it is evident early on that Jones’ weak vocals make him sound like a parody of his old self. Watching this hitmaker sing his back catalogue including 'What Is Love?' is about as exciting as watching a computer programmer live on stage. 

No amount of smoke and mirrors can mask his lack of connection with the audience. His equipment may be plugged in, but he sings on empty.

It’s almost 10pm by the time ABC step on to the stage. Martin Fry has the charisma and the hits to turn this gig around. It’s a shame then that many of the audience members have gone home through boredom. 

With classic pop songs like 'Poison Arrow' and 'The Look Of Love' an '80s fan gets exactly what they came for. Looking youthful and energetic, Fry strides onto the stage showing the others how it should be done. 

The audience who have stayed are on their feet, thinking back to those hazy days when burgundy trousers were the in thing!

This is a strange night. The acts are not really well suited and the evening is so eclectic and poorly paced that you feel slightly cheated. The audience came looking for blasts from the past but were kept waiting for any signs of life. 

Toyah’s lyrics to 'It’s A Mystery' are really quite apt.

[ News Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk - Friday 13th October 2006 ]

The 100 Greatest Songs Of The 80s : VH1 - Sunday 15th October - 9.00am
This airs from 9.00am till 5.30pm. Toyah presents number 50 to 26 and will be onscreen from approximately 1.00pm. 

This is also scheduled to re-air on Sunday 5th November, again starting at 9.00am. The programme will also be broadcast on The Music Factory (TMF) channel at some point over the coming weeks.

Sun 10th to Thu 14th December 2006
The Tempest (1979)
Director: Derek Jarman
Starring: Heathcote Williams Christopher Biggins, Peter Bull, Neil Cunningham, Claire Davenport, Kate Temple, Richard Warwick, Toyah Willcox

Punky Shakespeare that's a plank of Jarman's saintly reputation, and a godsend for A-level English teachers desperate to convince unwilling students that Shakespeare is cool. Toyah Willcox's lisping, bruising Miranda is the principal point of interest in Jarman's skittish adaption, and Sonnaband's art direction is much more focused and vivid than the dreary fuss of Peter Greenaway's Prospero's Books. A fine performance from Heathcote Williams as Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan commanding the spirits on a remote island, brings out the character’s shadows-and-light ambiguities. Derek Jarman’s take on Shakespeare’s dreamlike play shocked audiences in 1979, if only for the moments of high camp when ageing diva Elizabeth Welch sings ‘Stormy Weather’.

Starting Time: 8.30pm, Tickets: £3.95
Booking essential. Seating strictly limited to 30 persons.

The Place Samber Sands
New Lydd Road, Camber
Rye, TN31 7RB
enquiries@theplacecambersands.co.uk
Tel: 01797 225 057

[ Source: www.theplacecambersands.co.uk/events ]

Stand & Deliver: The Autobiography
by Adam Ant 

"My own first memories of Adam stem from my teenage years in Liverpool, when I went to see Derek Jarman's paean to punk, Jubilee. Named after the Queen's 25th jubilee, it starred the style icon Jordan, a beehive blonde who came to fame working in Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's fetishist shop Sex (later Seditionaries), which made the King's Road into a mecca for the hip young gunslingers of the day. In lesser roles were Toyah Willcox and Adam. Adam, billed as "Kid", looked good in his Seditionaries bondage jacket and eye make-up, singing about "Plastic Surgery" to a future pop mogul in an X Factor-style audition. The film was slated by the music press as "hippie trash" but the accompanying soundtrack album was to provide Adam with his first release."

[ Source: www.books.guardian.co.uk - Saturday 14th October 2006 ]

[ Thanks to Angus Turner for the picture ]

While on the subject of Manchester, Toyah didn't guest on Granada Reports last night. 

[ Many thanks to Paul Lomas, pictured with Toyah, for the pictures & info ]

Are You Gonna Go My Way (Lenny Kravitz)
Echo Beach
Jungles of Jupiter
Thunder In The Mountains
Sweet Child 'O Mine (Guns 'N Roses)
She Sells Sanctuary (The Cult)
I Want To Be Free
It's A Mystery

'Danced' was played at the North Wales Theatre. I'm not sure if this was at the gig or the soundcheck.

[ Thanks to Martyn Hampton, pictured with Toyah, for the pics ]

Great Toyah quotes from the programme: "If I walk in someone's house and I can smell a dog I feel like I don't wanna stay there!"

And... "I try to see my home from a stranger's point of view, and I get a nasty shock everytime." 

The second date of the tour is tonight at the Manchester Opera House. If anyone going along takes a pic please send one to Dreamscape and I'll add it here (and later to the 'Hitmakers 2006' page @ the Gallery) - Thanks!

[ Thanks to John Wain - aka Ruby - aka Tintin @ the Forum for the great pics ]

We can now confirm that the following dates are cancelled and will definitely not be happening due to the promoters ceasing trading: 

Sheffield (19 Oct)
Carlisle (20 Oct)
Newcastle (21 Oct)
Grimsby (22 Oct)
Cardiff (1 Nov).

Howard, Martin and Toyah have taken over the tour from Bristol onwards and will be playing as many dates as possible.

The following dates are currently confirmed as going ahead, but are subject to change. 

Oct 12 Manchester Opera House - Tel: 0870 401 9000
Nov 2 Bristol Colston Hall - Tel: 0117 922 3686
Nov 3 Ipswich Regent Theatre - Tel: 01473 433 100
Nov 9 Reading Hexagon Theatre - Tel: 0118 960 6060
Nov 10 Peterborough Broadway - Tel: 01733 316 100
Nov 11 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre - Tel: 08701451163
Nov 15 Derby Assembly Rooms - Tel: 01332 255 800
Nov 16 Skegness Embassy Theatre - Tel: 01754 768 333
Nov 23 Folkestone Leas Cliff hall - Tel: 01303 288 600
Nov 30 Eastbourne Congress Theatre - Tel: 01323412000
Dec 1 Portsmouth Guild Hall - Tel: 023 9282 4355
Dec 7 Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre - Tel: 01892 530 613 

We apologise for any inconveinience and have been reassured that all ticket holders will be refunded by the theatre, point of sale or online vendor.

[ News Source: www.toyahwillcox.com - Thursday 11th October 2006 ]

Take the leap... over to www.toyahwillcox.com for news on... a photo session with Suggs, Toyah talks Chico!, the coincidences in life, more on her writing sessions with Simon Darlow, MySpace, the 'Hitmakers' stage outfit (Toyah's and the band), and more.

[ News Source: www.toyahwillcox.com - 11th October 2006 ]

Check back soon for more pictures from the gig.

[ Thanks to Martyn Hampton for the pics ]

[ Thanks to Michael O'Brien ]

Narrated by Rob Brydon and featuring interviews with Jon Culshaw, Meera Syal, Paul Kaye, Michael Barrymore and the Jackass team this is promises to be the funniest 100 Greatest ever made. Toyah donned her "talking head" to chat about I'm A Celebrity... Jordan, Eurovision, The Grand Knockout Tournament, and more... 

Strolling through Brighton last weekend found myself surrounded by people with autograph books. Hell, I know a few people read this blog (even when I don't write much) but I never knew I was that famous. 

Coming back to earth I discovered I'd stumbled into some kind of launch for the upcoming Pantomime and there in front to me was this mop of orange hair which I knew I'd seen somewhere before. Toyah Willcox, former 80's pop star now actress, TV personality and married to King Crimson's main man and guitarist Robert Fripp!

[ Source: www.bromman.blogspot.com ]

The Best Panto On The South Coast

X-FACTOR's show-stopping chart-topping CHICO, 80s pop sensation TOYAH WILLCOX and a host of top West End musical performers star in ALADDIN.

After the record-breaking success of Jack and the Beanstalk, the most sensational panto cast will appear in Aladdin from 14 December 2006 - 14 January 2007.

Join us in the wonderful world of panto with the best show of all. Magic lamps, evil wizards, mystical genies, flying carpets, fantastic sets, glittering costumes, superb singing, dazzling dancing, comedy, slapstick and bags and bags of fun for all of the family! This lavish panto has it all and presented to you by an amazingly talented cast.

Hugely popular entertainer adored by millions, CHICO, and 80s pop sensation TOYAH WILLCOX join an all-singing all-dancing cast of stars from the West End musicals,on this magical carpet ride to the Far East. Tickets selling fast - book now to avoid disappointment. 

Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton BN1 1SD
Box Office: 08700 606 650 (booking fee)

[ www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal ]

[ www.rubiz.co.uk ]

[ Source: 'Uncut' magazine, November 2006/Issue 114 ]

Toyah: Take The Leap! by Richard Evans:
Toyah's 1993 album 'Take The Leap!' is a bit of an oddity in that it's a heady mix of the old and the new, featuring six new songs alongside eight re-recorded versions of classic Toyah tracks. This edition, 'Take The Leap... Plus!' adds a further four tracks - two demos and two alternative mixes of the tracks presented here - which adds to the general schizophrenic nature of the release.

'Take The Leap!' has only ever been commercially released in Japan although cassette copies were onsale at Toyah's live shows in 1994. I bought one (of course!) so it's good to see this coming out on CD, particularly given the quality of the artwork, the bonus tracks and the excellent sleevenotes.

The six 'new' tracks open the album with 'Now I'm Running' leading the assault and setting the tone for the album as a whole... this is a rock record, guitar-heavy and a little rough and ready around the edges. The track also sees Toyah in fine voice and takes some interesting twists and turns along the way. 'Lust For Love' is a more inventive and exciting track which showcases some clever guitar work which sets off Toyah's breathless vocals perfectly, put simply this is a classic Toyah moment! 'Invisible Love' is up next - the second of three love-themed tracks in succession - and although it's not a slow song by any means it takes the pace down a couple of notches and allows Toyah to demonstrate the sweeter and more melodic facets of her voice, offset by a catchy 'where have I heard that before?' chorus and fading to a dramatic and plaintive close. A salvo of chunky, rock guitar opens 'Name Of Love' which is a a dark and contemporary-sounding song, with effective guitar squiggles and sees Toyah using her voice to great effect as she sings, growls, teases and swoops through a fine performance, another great Toyah moment and further evidence that some ten years after her commercial peak Toyah had lost none of her edge and. 'Winter In Wonderland', perhaps the most accomplished song of the six new tracks, sounds deceptively simple and melodic and Toyah's voice is pure and controlled; a pretty hypnotic performance which showcases yet another facet of Toyah's vocal abilities. 'God Ceases To Dream' completes the set of six new tracks and is easily my favourite of the set. Toyah's vocals sound very controlled - giving the impression that at any moment a torrent of emotion is about to boil over, yet instead of taking that explosive path the song sweeps towards a yearning that reminds me of Toyah's best-known album, 'Anthem'. If I had been in the studio I would have pushed for the track to be maybe a minute shorter, but at the end of the day you can't have too much Toyah!

Toyah's anthemic 'Ieya' - perhaps her definitive song and a true crowd-pleaser - kicks off the selection of re-recorded versions of her classic tracks and vocally it's very similar to previous versions but the band's work on the song, in particular the swirling and juddering guitar, is what updates it and makes this a very worthy version which can stand proudly alongside the many fine versions already out there. 'Waiting', 'Neon Womb', 'Elusive Stranger' and 'Our Movie' dig deep into the pre-'It's A Mystery' Toyah catalogue and it's brilliant to hear them updated so competently and effectively. The quartet serve as fine reminders of the power and inventiveness of Toyah's early work and her delivery is effortless, confident and proud. Later on the album there's also a great 'Alternate Mix' of 'Waiting' which takes the track in a spikier, vicious and distorted direction which is an effective, unsettling and experimental.

The section of the album dedicated to updating the hits kicks off with fairly pedestrian versions of 'Thunder In The Mountains' and 'I Want To Be Free', Toyah's delivery is faultless but at times, and particularly in the choruses, they lack some of the passion they deserve. The 'Take The Leap!' version of 'It's A Mystery' is much more successful and takes the song in an edgier, less poppy direction, personally I prefer other versions but it's a brave experiment which I think owes a lot to the way Toyah performs the song live although her, to my ears it doesn't quite live up to it's potential. This album also include another version of 'It's A Mystery' as a bonus track; entitled the Weybridge Mix this takes the song in what I can only describe as a 'baggy' direction... imagine Toyah singing while the Happy Mondays provide the backing and you'll have an idea of what I mean. The echoing backing vocals on this version are a nice touch which hint at African influences but it's somehow at odds with the song as a whole but again it's a interesting attempt to take a well-worn classic in a new and creative direction.

'Take The Leap!' also contains demo versions of two new tracks; 'Requite Me' and 'Tears For Ellie', 'Requite Me' is a very stripped back song, almost acoustic in feel which displays a new maturity to Toyah's voice, an impassioned song of warmth and beauty and a brilliant addition to any Toyah collection. 'Tears For Ellie' is another gem, a mid-paced song where Toyah's vocals are layered effectively over echoing beats and piano hooks, offset by dramatic violins which gradually builds momentum. Distinctively Toyah but it's a very different Toyah, a hint of a Toyah to come.

'Take The Leap!' is an oddity of an album, but put into context as a kind of coming-of-age record, the updated versions of old songs bridging the gap to the new songs, it's an essential chapter in Toyah's fascinating and ongoing story.

[ Source: www.remembertheeighties.com - 6th October 2006 ]

NB: Please visit 'Remember The Eighties' for current Toyah News, two great Toyah interviews, archived News & reviews of previous Toyah album releases.

Dreamscape placed at number 95 in this year's list for the 'Best Music Website'. That's our highest ever, and first time in the Top 100.

Way over 10,000 (last year's stats, probably even higher this year) music related websites enter this so it's a great achievement.

THANKS to everyone who took the time, whether once or more, to vote. please click on the picture, or link below, to view the Top 200 websites.

[ News Source: www.btyahoo.com/dma06/top200sites - 5th October 2006 ]

The Hitmakers - The New Theatre

OCTOBER 10 2006, OXFORD: Martin Fry and ABC, Toyah Willcox and Howard Jones created groundbreaking tunes in the 1980s and enjoyed countless chart hits.

On Tuesday October 10 they come together in one classic electro-pop show at The New Theatre, George Street, Oxford. The Hitmakers tour comes hard on the heels of a resurgence in the popularity of 80s music and offers a chance to see Martin Fry and ABC return with such memorable hits as The Look Of Love, Poison Arrow, All Of My Heart and later songs like How To Be A Millionaire and When Smokey Sings.

Toyah Willcox exploded onto the 80s scene with a mean streak of punk influenced attitude, evident in songs like It's A Mystery and I Want to Be Free. 1982 saw her winning Best Female Singer in the Rock And Pop Awards.

More recently, Toyah has graced many theatre stages and television productions in a varied acting career and she also had a stint in the Australian jungle as a contestant on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!' Completing the line-up, will be Howard Jones who took the charts by storm with top 10 hits including Like To Get To Know You Well, What Is Love? and No One Is To Blame. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £22.50 from 01492 872 000.

[ News Source: www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk - Friday 6th October 2006 ]

[ Thanks to Tone, aka sleepingharbinger @ Dreamscape's Forum ]

• Does Toyah have a bad back? She does according to a 'Response Source' Press Release. As part of Back Care Awareness Week (16th - 21st October), they have commissioned an article/survey titled: Britons prefer looking good to pain relief

Celebrity back pain sufferers include former international rugby star Gavin Hastings OBE, who suffered from bouts of back pain throughout his playing career, Seve Ballesteros, Sean Connery, Toyah Willcox, Lesley Garrett and Lorraine Kelly. 

[ Source: www.responsesource.com/releases - 5th October 2006 ]

Toyah is booked to be appearing at the Videodrome stall at the event. Check out www.thevideodrome.com

[ Thanks to John Sanders ]

[ Dreamscape Mini Site: www.toyah.net/mfmain ]

Martin Fry, Howard Jones and Toyah Willcox all wanted to play all the dates....and still do. However it is out of our hands.

The Oxford New Theatre date of the HITMAKERS TOUR on 10th October, Sheffield City Hall on 19th October, and Newcastle City Hall date on 21st October have been cancelled. 

We apologise for any inconveinience and have been reassured that all ticket holders will be refunded by the theatre, point of sale or online vendor.

CONFIRMED SHOWS AT PRESENT
Oct 11 North Wales Theatre - Tel: 01492 872 000
Oct 12 Manchester Opera House - Tel: 0870 401 9000
Oct 20 Carlisle Sand Centre - Tel: 01228 625 222
Oct 22 Grimsby Auditorium - Tel: 01472 311 311
Nov 1 Cardiff St David's Hall - Tel: 02920 878 444
Nov 2 Bristol Colston Hall - Tel: 0117 922 3686
Nov 3 Ipswich Regent Theatre - Tel: 01473 433 100
Nov 9 Reading Hexagon Theatre - Tel: 0118 960 6060
Nov 10 Peterborough Broadway - Tel: 01733 316 100
Nov 11 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre - Tel: 08701451163
Nov 15 Derby Assembly Rooms - Tel: 01332 255 800
Nov 16 Skegness Embassy Theatre - Tel: 01754 768 333
Nov 23 Folkestone Leas Cliff hall - Tel: 01303 288 600
Nov 30 Eastbourne Congress Theatre - Tel: 01323412000
Dec 1 Portsmouth Guild Hall - Tel: 023 9282 4355
Dec 7 Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre - Tel: 01892 530 613 

[ News Source: www.toyahwillcox.com - Thursday 5th October 2006 ]

Pictured with Toyah is Rula Lenska. 

Others attending the event included; Tracey Ullman, Harry Hill, Angela Rippon, Trevor Eve, Lorraine Chase and Cilla Black.

'I’m trying to be a little more lady like'
By Rick Bowen

If you thought the recording career of Toyah Willcox came to an end when the 80s did, you may be surprised to discover that the singer, once famed for her outrageous outfits and equally eye catching on stage antics, has recorded no less than 18 albums.

Her first release, a post punk offering that came out in 1979, went by the strange title, Sheep Farming In Barnet.

What sort of Toyah can audiences expect to see when The Hitmakers Tour rolls into Manchester next week? Has she toned down her live persona?

"I try to be a bit more age appropriate now - I'm 48 and I get concerned that I still go on stage wearing completely outrageous things. On one level, I get away with it because people expect it of me and certainly, on this tour, I will be pushing the boat out as far as I can but I'm trying to be a little bit more lady like with it. I don't think I'm outrageous now for the sake of being outrageous, but the one thing I was born with was a very quirky sense of humour and that's still there," she says.

The artist, who is married to King Crimson co-founder Robert Fripp, says there has been a massive resurgence of interest in the music of the 80s, which means that her gigs attract fans from the age of 12 upwards.

Toyah, who has also appeared in numerous stage musicals, has been offered two new recording contracts and she's back in the studio writing songs with her former song writing partner Simon Darlow. If these song writing sessions go well, a 19th album could be on the cards.

Not that Toyah has been short of work of course - as well as presenting documentaries, she's recently appeared on the BBC programme Masterchef and she's also been offered a part in one of the soaps. But she's sworn to secrecy over the identity of the programme in question.

* The Hitmakers Tour is at the Opera House on October 12 and Toyah Willcox will be joined by Martin Fry and ABC and Howard Jones. Anyone interested in booking tickets should call 0870 160 2874. 

[ News Source: www.messengernewspapers.co.uk - 27th September 2006 ]

Laurence Olivier Presents: A Star Studded Series of Theatre Classics:

The set, on Region 1 DVD, was issued on 12th September 2006.

Product Description: The greatest actor of the 20th century presents five works by great 20th-century playwrights. Stars include Olivier, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, Maureen Stapleton, Alan Bates, Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Joanne Woodward, Carrie Fisher, Greta Scacchi, and Joan Plowright.

The Plays: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams. A rich plantation owner and his family come to grips with their greed, envy, and self-delusion.

The Collection by Harold Pinter. What did, or did not, take place in a Leeds Hotel ruffles the lives of four habitués of fashionable London.

Hindle Wakes by Stanley Houghton. An independent young mill worker refuses to bow to convention after an indiscretion with the boss’s son. 

Come Back, Little Sheba by William Inge. Loss and regret bubble to the surface of a troubled marriage after a young boarder moves in.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday by Eduardo de Filippo. A monumental argument erupts, smolders, and subsides over a weekend in the life of a boisterous Italian family. 

Bonus!: The Ebony Tower, the novella by John Fowles adapted by John Mortimer. A young artist studying the work of a great painter becomes intrigued by the elderly man’s female companions. Contains some nudity. 

NB: Amazon.com have this listed. CD Zone, CD Quest and DVD Stars (all UK based) are also listing it. This is a Region 1 release and most likely will be shipped from there.

A dominant force in theater and in film, Laurence Olivier didn't shy away when it came to mastering the telly:

Laurence Olivier Presents: (Acorn Media, $50)THOUGH the legendary British actor is best known for his stage and film work, Olivier, who died in 1989 at age 82, also made his mark on television. He won five Emmy Awards for his work in such prestigious projects as "Love Among the Ruins," "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and "Brideshead Revisited."

During the 1970s, England's Granada Television teamed up with Olivier for a series of adaptations of award-winning plays. This collection includes four of the Granada presentations Olivier produced and appeared in, one he produced and co-directed and one of his last television roles, from 1984.

The Ebony Tower: Adapted by John Mortimer from John Fowles' novella, this 1984 nudity-laden tale finds a frail Olivier playing a famous painter living in the countryside in France with a young female protege named Mouse (Greta Scacchi) and a punk free spirit (Toyah Willcox) aptly named Freak.

Olivier's Henry Breasley, while charming, is abusive and a drunk, but that doesn't stop both women from sharing his bed on occasion. 

Roger Rees plays a reporter from an art magazine and a painter in his own right who arrives at the villa to do an interview with Henry and ends up falling in love with Mouse.

[ Source: www.latimes.com - 1st October 2006 - Thanks to Andi Westhorpe ]

Four-part adaptation of the classic children's tale about the little boy who did not want to grow up. 

Starring: Toyah Willcox as Peter Pan, and Ron Moody as Captain Hook.

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of J. M. Barrie's tale of childhood adventure. 

Also starring Roy Hudd as Smee and June Whitfield as Mrs Darling, this sparkling production is directed by award-winning producer Dirk Maggs, with an original music score and stunning sound effects. 

Peter Pan : BBC - Tuesday 10th October : 10.00am / 9.00pm
Peter Pan : BBC - Wednesday 11th October : 02.00am
Part One: London 1904. A strange visitor transforms the Darling household. 

Peter Pan : BBC - Wednesday 11th October : 10.00am / 9.00pm
Peter Pan : BBC - Thursday 12th October : 02.00am
Part Two: Peter and the children arrive in Neverland and meet the Lost Boys who build Wendy a house. 

Peter Pan : BBC - Thursday 12th October : 10.00am / 9.00pm
Peter Pan : BBC - Friday 13th October : 02.00am
Part Three: Peter Pan has come face to face with Captain Hook, and the battle commences. But things are not going to plan and Peter is hurt.

Peter Pan : BBC - Friday 13th October : 10.00am / 9.00pm
Peter Pan : BBC - Saturday 14th October : 02.00am
Part Four: Wendy and the boys have been captured by the pirates, and Peter Pan attempts to rescue them.

[ Source: www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7 ]

This still hasn't been officially confirmed but the event organisers have included Toyah in their press ads, including 'SFX' magazine, so it looks highly likely she will be attending. 

Th ad in 'SFX' looks similar to this >>> Phil Daniels is also appearing as a Quadrophenia guest.

Collectormania G-Mex - Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November 2006 
Central Hall, The G-Mex Centre, Windmill Street, Manchester, Lancs, M2 3GX 
www.collectormaniagmex.co.uk 

[ Thanks to Gareth, aka toyahw01 @ Dreamscape's Forum ]

I'll be, sporadically, adding a month at a time... These, just to be unpredictable, won't be added in date order.

Wild Essence - Live In The 21st Century, available from The Hut [ www.thehut.com ], £8.69 delivered. Jubilee, available from Select Cheaper [ www.selectcheaper.com ], £6.84 delivered. The Tempest, available from Tree DVD [ www.www.treedvd.co.uk ] £6.85 delivered. Quadrophenia - Special Edition, available from Play [ www.play.com ], £8.99 delivered.

Victims Of The Riddle / Indecision / Love Me / Vision / Tribal Look / Bird In Flight / Danced / Insects / Race Through Space / Ieya / Ghosts / Neon Womb / Love Me / Waiting / Street Creature / Neon Womb / Dawn Chorus / War Boys

[ Source: www.cherryred.co.uk - October 2006 ]

[ Thanks to Andi Westhorpe ]

Songs introduced by Toyah included; 'Prince Charming' by Adam & The Ants, 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson, 'Going Underground' by The Jam, 'Call Me' by Blondie, 'Sweet Child 'O Mine' by Guns 'N Roses, 'Purple Rain' by Prince, 'Faith' by George Michael, 'Sledgehammer' by Peter Gabriel, 'It Must Be Love' by Madness, 'Into The Groove' by Madonna, 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics, and 'Where The Streets Have No Name' by U2.

• Toyah, and The Ebony Tower, are included in an article on Laurence Olivier at www.calendarlive.com: "The Ebony Tower: Adapted by John Mortimer from John Fowles' novella, this 1984 nudity-laden tale finds a frail Olivier playing a famous painter living in the countryside in France with a young female protege named Mouse (Greta Scacchi) and a punk free spirit (Toyah Willcox) aptly named Freak.

Olivier's Henry Breasley, while charming, is abusive and a drunk, but that doesn't stop both women from sharing his bed on occasion. Roger Rees plays a reporter from an art magazine and a painter in his own right who arrives at the villa to do an interview with Henry and ends up falling in love with Mouse.

• Toyah was namechecked in an article, titled "Living Apart Together...", in last Tuesday's (26th September) 'The Northern Echo': "And Toyah Willcox and guitarist husband Robert Fripp, who believe that 'creativity only thrives in solitude'. The list goes on..." {I'm sure they were mentioned in an identically titled feature around a year ago too)

• Clare Grogan mentioned Toyah in her interview, about adopting her baby girl, with 'The Mirror' on Friday (29th September): "When she got the phone call telling her they'd been approved as prospective parents, she was just about to perform at an 80s revival concert. The hardest thing was not to announce to everyone that I was going to be a mum," she says. "Toyah and Nick Heyward took pictures of me backstage, crying."

• Look left! For the October picture, magazine, capture, lyric and Toyah quote of the Month.

Toyah talks about her early life, career, with contributions from friends. Please note, this file is quite large in size to ensure quality.

Download the first part by right clicking on the link. Part Two will be available soon. These won't be added to the Downloads section as they will only be available for a limited time.

[ Many thanks to Andi Westhorpe ]

[ Thanks to Merx ]

[ Thanks to Merx ]

Quadrophenia : Men & Motors - Wednesday 4th October : 10.00pm
Quadrophenia : Men & Motors - Thursday 5th October : 01.15am
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Directed by Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, Ray Winstone and Toyah Willcox