Ben Irish will Star as The Toxic Avenger in the Cult Rock Show THE TOXIC AVENGER - THE MUSICAL

The West End will get a hunky new superhero and leading man tonight (Tuesday) when Ben Irish joins the cast of the critically acclaimed rock musical The Toxic Avenger - The Musicalin the title role.

Ben replaces Mark Anderson, who has withdrawn from the production, for the final 4 weeks of its strictly limited 10-week season at the Arts Theatre.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.

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.

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!

Completing the cast are: Natalie Hope (Mayor), Emma Salvo (Sarah) Oscar Conlon-Morrey (White Dude), Ché Francis (Black Dude).

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Benji Sperring
Musical Director: Alex Beetschen
Designer: takis
Lighting Designer: Nic Farman
Choreographer: Lucie Pankhurst

Produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Derek Nicol and Paul Walden for Flying Entertainment.

Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.?

Arts Theatre
Great Newport Street
London WC2HL 7JB
Box office: 020 7836 8463
www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk

Season ends Sunday
3 December

Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm,
Sat Mat 3.30pm
Sunday 3pm & 6.30pm

Ticket Prices :
£19.50 Slips £29.50 £39.50 £44.50
£59.50 premiums

Social
Twitter - @ToxicAvengerUK
Facebook - @ToxicAvengerUK
Instagram - @ToxicAvengerUK

www.toxicavengermusical.co.uk

Running Time: 2hrs 15min
inc interval

Age Recommendation: 12+

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