Theatre South East

Avenue Q

Shaftesbury Theatre

Theatre South East has reviewed Avenue Q many times, both in the West End and on numerous tours round the South East. The reason – we love it! After a quiet few years the funny. personable and often outrageous puppets (and humans) are back in London and gracing the stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre. This production celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original West End opening at the Noel Coward Theatre in 2006.

It’s been a while, so the concept is this…. humans and monsters (hand held puppets) live together in a multicultural downtime neighbourhood in New York. Think Sesame Street, but instead of learning to read and write, the residents of Avenue Q tackle more adult topics, relationships, gender, racism and life goals. The topics are approached in a humorous and sometimes irreverent way.

This revival with the original Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty is particularly exciting because it sees many of the original Broadway team at the helm including the award-winning Broadway director Jason Moore, with music orchestrations and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, original Broadway puppets, conceived and designed by Rick Lyon and a wonderfully fun and imaginative set design by Anna Louizos. Whereas some of the recent tours have looked tired and lacklustre. Last night Avenue Q proved a show twenty years old can be fresh, new and just as relevant today as in 2006.

The company mainly consists of 7 actors, three characters are played by Oliver Jacobson, Amelia Kinu Muus and Dionne Ward-Anderson who interact with four puppeteer actors who make more than 8 other characters come to life, often playing two or three characters at once! Emily Benjamin is amazing as Kate Monster (our heroine) and Lucy the Slut (yes you read that correct) she switches between the voices with ease. Noah Harrison is Princeton – a recent graduate searching for his purpose and Rod who is grappling with his sexuality. Charlie McCullagh & Meg Hateley often working together are genius at animating the all the other characters, including the Bad Idea Bears (hilarious), the sex obsessed Trekkie, the hapless good hearted Nicki and Mrs Thistletwat.

Bringing Avenue Q to a new audience in the West End is timely, themes that are forever divisive are dealt with using humour, honesty and courage. Many of the subjects covered and the language used means that Avenue Q is certainly not for children, but I would say that most adults would agree with the overall message of acceptance and inclusivity and the others…. well maybe they would learn something…

Bravo to all involved – Avenue Q is back in town – where it belongs.

Reviewer: Sammi O’Neill
Photo: Matt Crockett

Cast

Emily Benjamin as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, 
Noah Harrison as Princeton and Rod, 
Meg Hateley as Mrs T and Bad Idea Bear, 
Oliver Jacobson as Brian, 
Charlie McCullagh as Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear, 
Amelia Kinu Muus as Christmas Eve 
Dionne Ward-Anderson as Gary.

The company is completed by Jasmine Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt, Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi and Joshua Williams-Ward.