TOXIC TUTU / CERT: TBC / DIRECTOR & SCREENPLAY: JOE NARDELLI / STARRING: MARK TORGL, LLOYD KAUFMAN, FRANK L. MESSINA, JON DALTON / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (US)

Apparently, fans of the Troma classic The Toxic Avenger have long since wondered ‘whatever happened to that guy who played Melvin the mop boy?’ – Toxic Tutu will answer all those queries that you never really had.

Mark Torgl, for it is he who played the hapless janitor, ‘disappeared’ from the public eye and has only recently turned up at conventions and the like – or so we’re told here, and he has something he really needs to get off his chest. Unfortunately, things seem to conspire against him making his big revelation. It’s something that would rock the Troma world to its very foundations: the toxic waste used on the 1984 movie was actually real and Torgl has suffered greatly in the intervening years.

This mockumentary has been years in the making (just check how different convention panellist Shawn C. Phillips looks now!) but it’s time well spent as it’s an enjoyable behind the scenes adventure masquerading as factual documentary. Despite being made independently of the Troma system, it has the full involvement of Uncle Lloyd, who plays a sinister version of himself and completely in on the gag. The sense of humour – often off-colour and tasteless – fits perfectly with the Troma ethos without going too over the top. The numerous convention-shot scenes are interesting, but hardly any of those taking part can act, so viewing mileage will differ depending on each watcher’s tolerance level. Be warned, this is more akin to a no-budget film than a low-budget. Don’t let that put you off, though, as there’s plenty of fun to be had, with several (often overly elaborate) subplots involving nefarious characters trying to get whatever leftover waste there may be.

Certainly not for everyone, but fans of Toxie will get a kick out of seeing the original put-upon hero of the first film back on screen and seemingly having a riot. It’s just a shame that the writer/director Joe Nardelli passed away not long after the film was completed. Grab your mop and your tutu and get ready to root for Melvin once more.