Vampires Rock returns to Perth

Jan 26 2010 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

HARD-BITTEN rock fans are set to come out in their droves in Perth for the return of Eighties hit-maker Toyah Willcox.

The singer (right), who started out as a young hopeful back in the punk wars of the late-Seventies, will be appearing in the cult musical Vampires Rock at Perth Concert Hall on Thursday.

After selling out the same venue on its Fair City debut last year, the show looks set to pull another bumper crowd to PCH.

As well as Toyah, the ribald spectacular also stars lead Steve Steinman plus a huge cast of singers, dancers and a formidable live band.

The cast blast their way through an ever-changing repertoire of rock classics including Queen’s We Will Rock You, Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell, AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, Rainbow’s Since You've Been Gone, Bonnie Tyler smash Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Suzi Quatro’s Devil Gate Drive, Joan Jett’s I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll and Guns ‘n’ Roses classic Sweet Child O’ Mine.

Toyah (51), who reached the top end of the charts with It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, plays the central character, the fearsome Devil Queen.

She told Music Scene all about the show before her last visit to Perth.

“The show is basically a rock show with a lot of visuals and a funny storyline about a team of vampires who run a nightclub,” said thesinger.

“It is quite eccentric and can be loosely compared to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it has a wonderful cult following who are extremely dedicated.

“I like it because it is visually striking and very tongue-in-cheek. It’s really up, and definitely not your normal theatre.

“It’s loud, brash and there are lots of pyrotechnics, which suits me because I’ve always been a slightly bombastic visual performer.”

“The reaction to the show is phenomenal and I treat it like a gig.

“I have to look after my voice like it’s a gig, but the big difference is there are more costume changes.”

Vampires Rock also gives Toyah the chance to cut loose on some of her own songs as the all-powerful Devil Queen seizes the spotlight.

“The best thing about being in the show is the discipline in performance but still having a lot of freedom to develop the character every night,” she said

The musical is the latest in a lengthy list of stage and screen roles for former I’m A Celebrity star Toyah.

The always colourful performer made her acting debut aged 19 in the late Derek Jarman’s arty punk feature Jubilee back in 1977.

The film featured appearances from a host of the movement’s other luminaries, including Adam Ant, Siouxsie & The Banshees and Wayne County.

“I like things that are challenging and new,” she added.

Tickets for the Perth Concert Hall show, which starts at 7.30pm on Thursday, are available from the box office on 01738 621031.