Who thought Toxic Waste could be this funny!
The Toxic Avenger has opened at the Southwark Playhouse and it’s already a rip-roaring success. Â Directed by critically acclaimed Benji Sperring, this is a show that’s got everything; Â a very talented cast, an exhilarating score and the ability to make you laugh ’til you ache.
With Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPetro and Music and Lyrics by David Bryan of Bon Jovi, this is a musical full of rock anthems that will have you dancing in your seat. Â It’s a tongue (firmly) in cheek love story with a twist, Melvin Ferd the Third is a genetically modified mutant, madly in love with Sarah, who luckily is blind. Â Melvin, later known as ‘Toxie’, with the help of his girlfriend, mother, and a whole cast of characters, takes on city hall to bring down a corrupt Mayor.
The entire cast are exceptional. Mark Anderson is superb in the title role, transforming from loveable nerd to mutant superhero with apparent ease. This is a very talented young actor who has a great future ahead.  Hannah Grover just bursts with enthusiasm as girlfriend Sarah. It was she, who provided the biggest laughs of the night, playing the blind character completely straight.
Lizzii Hills plays both the Mayor and Ma Ferd, this combination of roles has hilarious consequences in the Act One Finale ‘Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore’ which I am still humming along to now.
Ashley Samuels and Marc Pickering play so many roles that they changed costumes more times than I could count, and some of them were really quick changes! They were both talented and extremely funny and, to be perfectly honest, were the highlight of the show.
This small cast of five easily make it feel like there were a hundred cast members on stage. Yet, no one person stole the limelight, they were the perfect ensemble. Â How good is the Toxic Avenger? I’ve got my diary open working out how many more times I can see it in its month long run. I suggest you do the same.
