In a West End awash with jukebox musicals and safe bets, The Toxic Avenger is a welcome antidote to the predictable.
Mild-mannered Melvin Ferd the Third (Mark Anderson) is in love with blind librarian Sarah (Emma Salvo), but his quest to clean up hometown Tromaville uncovers potentially embarrassing documents for the town’s crooked Mayor (Natalie Hope), who instructs her heavies (Ché Francis & Oscar Conlon-Morrey) to deal with the problem. Cue hapless Melvin being tossed into a vat of chemical toxic goo and emerging as our mutant hero, Toxie.
Based (loosely) on Lloyd Kaufman’s 80s cult B-movie of the same name, Memphis author Joe DiPietro (Book & Lyrics) and Bon Jovi band member David Bryan (Music & Lyrics) have captured the tongue-in-cheek satire of the original film and given it the full musical treatment of slapstick silliness. Realising their most likely consumer will be audiences familiar with the musical genre, the entire show is littered with jibes at other shows (sorry Urinetown, but you probably deserved it). And like the bastard child of Rocky Horror and Little Shop, The Toxic Avenger knowingly satirises itself with quips about filling time for a quick change or a multi-rolled character who can’t be in the same room with herself.
Given such a limited run at the Arts, production values are remarkably high. The set is impressive and full of hidden surprises, where a hairdresser’s salon or full scale library appear from a sewage pipe. The sound design is spot on in clarity and evocative green-themed lighting highly effective. Benji Sperring’s direction is comically sharp, supported by Lucie Pankhurst’s apt choreography. And on top of this there’s a cast that really know how to deliver a both a gag and a number.
Anderson excels in the lead role of Toxie, with a gentle touch to his monster and melodic vocals that particularly shine in the song You Tore My Heart Out. Playing opposite, Salvo as schmaltzy sightless love interest Sarah shows her Newsrevue heritage with precise comic timing that never lets the running joke go stale. Natalie Hope impresses with the showstopper Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore, but possibly the unexpected stand outs are Ché Francis and Oscar Conlon-Morrey who flip between riotous roles (and genders) so many times it’s easy to think they are the actual stars of the show.
In a West End awash with jukebox musicals and safe bets, The Toxic Avenger is a welcome antidote to the predictable.
