AUDIENCES in Wokingham were treated to a laugh-out loud musical romp last week.
Midas Theatre’s Toxic Avenger entertained Wokingham Theatre with darkly comic humour, and threatens to spread its toxic goo further afield, possibly next year.
And so it should – it’s a barrel of fun.
It’s funny, fast, and joyfully anarchic – with superb music from the band, and powerful voices from the cast to match.
The Toxic Avenger, by Joe Dipietro and David Bryan is a kind of B-movie science fiction comic strip rock show.
Midas Theatre producer Thomas Atkinson-Joy, explained: “It’s so much fun – a blend of Little Shop of Horrors and The 39 Steps.
“Madly chaotic and fast-paced it’s got beautiful music, complexity and bags of comedy.
“It’s off-beat, outrageous at times, and quite camp.”
The show opens with a sickly yellow-green glow, and search lights scanning a groaning New Jersey dock where Tromaville is drowning in toxic waste.
“You don’t need a map, just follow the smell,” croon the cast in their opening number, Who Will Save New Jersey?
So who will save the day?
Aspiring earth scientist, nerdy hero, Mervin Ferd the Third (Matthew Harcourt) will – probably.
Secretly in love with blind librarian Sarah (Libby Harcourt), he is determined to clean up.
When, with her help, he discovers the orchestrator of the mess is corrupt mayor Babs Belgoody he boldly challenges the dignitary.
Dumped into a giant vat of toxic waste by her sniggering goons he emerges, in true comic book style, as the greenest, nastiest, hero New Jersey has ever seen.
He is more determined than ever to bring justice to the town.
He is The Toxic Avenger.
He’s ripped, he’s green, he has one eye dangling – and he’s still in love with Sarah.
This gives endless opportunities for zany comedy, musical and visual, with numbers such as My Big French Boyfriend, Thank God She’s Blind, and Hot Toxic Love prompting the preview night audience to choke on their laughter.
Rapid-fire execution of the narrative and costumes changed at breakneck speed add to the wonderful silliness of the show.
Between them, the cast plays nearly 40 roles, with Charley Coleman doubling as Mayor Babs Belgoody, Ma Ferd, and a nun, and duo goons The Dudes, Keir Buist and Max Field playing every other character as required.
There is not a weak link among them.
These five acting superheroes drive the action and the comedy with joyful spleen splitting energy.
Like a fairground ride, it’s wild, rocky, and great fun.
Music for the show was performed by Thomas Atkinson-Joy on keys, with reeds from Phil Wayman, guitar from Andrew Smith, bass by Graeme Hollingdale, and Jon Scott on drums.
“There’s such a 1980s glam rock feel to the songs,” said Thomas.
“But there are lots of other styles too; ballads, a tango, fast rock – something for everyone to enjoy.
“At Midas, we work totally collaboratively together, with each actor and creative having a hand in bringing the show to life which always results in something truly special.”
The Toxic Avenger has received five star reviews from audience members who said they laughed out loud the whole show.
This barrel of toxic fun is definitely worthy of a longer run, and a bigger venue.
It may be a small show, but it has a big punch.
But for now, Midas is concentrating on their next show Murder Ballad, which can be seen at Wokingham Theatre, on Thursday, October 31 and Friday, November 1.
For information, visit: www.midastheatre.com
