If Toyah Willcox is describing it as ‘outrageous’, there’s a fair chance her new show, Hormonal Housewives, doesn’t fall into the realm of vanilla-coloured.

The former punk princess has never been one to happily slink under the radar. From being a rebellious teenager she morphed with astonishing fluidity into roles including huge rock icon (she’s had 13 Top 40 singles and released more than 20 albums), successful actress, writer and even Songs of Praise presenter.

On Thursday she’s coming to Lighthouse with the comedy sketch show she describes as ‘celebrating modern womanhood’.

It looks at everything that makes today’s woman tick (or ticked off) from the joys of teenagers to the madness of holiday reps to the insanity of DIY.

“We all play ourselves,” she explains (the cast also stars Sarah Jane Buckley and writer Julie Coombe).

“Yet it’s weaved around a series of sketches and dialogue unique and special to women.

“And it’s very VERY funny. While it is a scripted show, there are ad libs too, and the audience brings something different – a different energy to things.”

The ‘housewives’ also chat about mums at the school gates, the gym and senior citizens.

“It’s certainly not the glamour of showbiz,” Willcox tells Seven Days.

“It all takes place in a living room and embraces the domesticity and life of women – the private world of women that everyone, including myself, can relate to.”

Toyah married King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp in 1986 in the Dorset village of Witchampton.

“My husband was born in Wimborne and he has family that still live nearby. While I only lived in Dorset for about nine months in the 1980s, we still have close ties with the place.

“We visit a lot. I think the Bournemouth and Poole area is very exciting. I love the seafront very much and I love working in the theatres there.”

Hormonal Housewives is touring until the end of May, after which Toyah might just get a well-earned break.

“I’m doing 67 dates in two-and-a- half months,” she says. “I’m not getting a day off until June!”

Her ability to adapt and seize opportunities has helped the Birmingham-born performer invent “a celebration of each decade” in a career spanning 35 years.

Determination to overcome a series of struggles since birth has also helped bring tenacity and focus to her life. Willcox was born with only one hip socket, a twisted spine and one leg two inches shorter than the other which required corrective surgery.

She also has dyslexia, suffered from a hormone imbalance in her 30s and is currently overcoming problems with long-term insomnia through acupuncture.

Now 54, she is looking fabulous.

She happily admits to having a little help with her appearance. In 2005, she wrote a book, Diary of a Facelift, about her experience.

She also gets a healthy glow from looking after herself wisely.

“I’m extremely regimented about sleep and rest and diet,” she says.

“It’s so important how we look after ourselves and I’m very strict about how I run my life, especially as I am on the road and on stage so much.

“People know that fresh fruit and vegetables give you energy. I don’t eat many carbs – I have to get into my costume every night.”

Another factor towards wellbeing, she believes, is a good belly laugh, and she promises this in spades with Hormonal Housewives.

“It really is a laugh a minute,” she says.

“I hate comparisons but it’s like Loose Women with sketches. It includes the whole audience, and women are literally screaming with laughter.

“It’s a wonderful night out for mothers, daughters, hen parties... it celebrates women but men shouldn’t feel excluded either.

“It’s a real belly laugh show. And I have to say a little bit outrageous.”

  • Hormonal Housewives comes to Lighthouse, Poole on Thursday