Everybody get ready, a brand new leading man will be unleashed on London's West End from Tuesday 7th November! Ben Irish joins the cast of the critically acclaimed rock musical THE TOXIC AVENGER for the rest of the run at the Arts Theatre...
Ben replaces Mark Anderson, who has withdrawn from the production, for the final 4 weeks of its strictly limited 10-week season at the Arts Theatre.
Ben will play the dual roles of nerdy Melvin Ferd the Third – an aspiring earth scientist, determined to clean up his home state’s major toxic waste problem – and his alter ego, The Toxic Avenger. When the corrupt Mayor of Tromaville and her goons get wind of his green plans, they vow to stop this heroic feat. Melvin is attacked and tossed into a vat of toxic waste… transforming him into The Toxic Avenger, a 7-foot mutant freak with superhuman strength and a supersized heart to match – New Jersey’s first superhero!
Ben Irish is a 2011 graduate of ArtsEd, where he gained a BA Hons in Musical Theatre. His recent roles include an Asia tour of Ghost the Musical as first cover for the leading role of Sam Wheat, and two of Sasha Regan’s all-male versions of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, Josephine in HMS Pinafore and Edith in the UK tour of The Pirates of Penzance. Continuing in the cast are: Natalie Hope (Mayor), Emma Salvo (Sarah), Oscar Conlon-Morrey (White Dude), and Ché Francis (Black Dude). The Toxic Avenger The Musical – one of the most acclaimed new West End musicals in years – is the brainchild of the Tony Award-winning creative team behind the smash hit West End musical Memphis, Joe DiPietro and David Bryan, an original founding member and keyboardist/vocalist for rock giants, Bon Jovi.
THE STORY
Based on Lloyd Kaufman’s cult 1984 comedy schlock-horror Troma film, The Toxic Avenger, The Toxic Avenger The Musical tells the story of the citizens of Tromaville, who are crying out for a hero… Enter nerdy Melvin Ferd the Third, an aspiring earth scientist, determined to clean up the state’s major toxic waste problem. When a corrupt Mayor and her government goons get wind of his plans, they vow to stop this heroic feat. Melvin is attacked and tossed into a vat of toxic waste… transforming him instantly into The Toxic Avenger, New Jersey’s first superhero!
Toxie is a 7-foot mutant freak with superhuman strength and a supersized heart to match. He’s out to save heavily polluted New Jersey, end global warming, win the heart of the prettiest (blindest) librarian in town and get home in time for dinner!
Prepare to laugh, scream and sing to songs including ‘Who Will Save New Jersey?” “Get the Geek”, “Thank God She’s Blind” “Hot Toxic Love” and “Choose Me, Oprah!” as ‘Toxie’ rocks the house and saves the day!
