Avenue Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by an unholy comedic alliance of humans and puppets! Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, has just moved to this neighbourhood as he desperately tries to follow his dreams and discover his ever-elusive purpose in life. A tiny bank balance, the distraction of a busty blonde and a variety of weird and wonderful friends and neighbours lead Princeton on a hilarious story of self-discovery. Life may suck on Avenue Q but being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, having sex (whether hetero, homo or porno... and that s just the puppets) are just some of the topics featured in the terrific songs of this show.
How much fun can you have with (fake) fur? Quite a lot actually. This smartly funny, quite rude and highly entertaining musical , on its second UK tour , is in great shape. As far as I remember the physical production is the same as it was in London so a ‘direct from the West End ‘ tag-line can be justified. Not always the case with some touring shows.
A very talented cast manipulate the hairy puppets with aplomb. There is fine work from Chris Thatcher, Matthew J Henry and Sam Lupton as, respectively, Nicky/Trekkie Monster, Gary and Princeton/Rod. And standout performances from Katharine Moraz as Kate/Lucy and Julie Yammanee as Christmas Eve.
Robert Lopez , Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty have created a tuneful, witty and rather subversive show, which really draws you into the puppet world and is at times actually rather moving. The production ( Jason Moore’s direction recreated for the tour by Evan Ensign ) is fast-moving, slickly put together and endearing.
One cavil – it is a very small show in a very big theatre and I imagine that if you are too far away you will miss some of the nuances of the performances – puppets and humans. I understand why producers are seduced by the 3,300 seater Playhouse but on an artistic level Avenue Q would work even better for the audience in a more intimate playhouse like the Kings. Yes, I know it is closed for a long needed renovation but you get the point?
However this Avenue Q, wherever it is located, is splendid fun, expertly performed and an ideal winter blues banisher.
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