Avenue Q is back for a 20th anniversary West End revival – watch the opening night highlights

The 20th anniversary West End revival of Avenue Q has officially opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London!

WhatsOnStage was in attendance and lapping up the puppetry-infused party for the show, which was awarded the full five stars and described as “scintillating” and “humongous-hearted” in our glowing review.

We caught up with director Jason Moore, who helmed the original production, Julie Atherton (OG West End performer and now associate director), and cast members Emily Benjamin (Kate Monster and Lucy The Sl*t), Noah Harrison (Princeton and Rod), Meg Hateley (Mrs T and Bad Idea Bear), Oliver Jacobson (Brian), Charlie McCullagh (Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear), Amelia Kinu Muus (Christmas Eve) and Dionne Ward-Anderson (Gary) to talk about the show’s legacy and updates for 2026.

Watch the full highlights in the video below:

The West End cast also includes Jasmine Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt, Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi, and Joshua Williams-Ward.

Written by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, with a book by Jeff Whitty, Avenue Q follows Princeton, a recent college graduate who moves into a rundown New York apartment block and learns life lessons from his eccentric neighbours.

The revival features puppet design by Rick Lyon, orchestrations and arrangements by Stephen Oremus and set design by Anna Louizos. Contributions include choreography by Ebony Molina, costume design by Jean Chan, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, sound design by Paul Groothuis, video design by Nina Dunn for Pixellux, puppetry coaching by Iestyn Evans and Andy Heath for Talk to the Hand Puppets and casting by Pearson Casting. Original West End company member Julie Atherton serves as associate director on the production, with musical direction by Benjamin Holder.

The show originally opened in the West End in 2006 at the Noël Coward Theatre before transferring to the Gielgud and later the Wyndham’s, closing in 2010. A concert version was staged at the Sondheim Theatre in 2024 to celebrate its 18th anniversary.

Produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson Productions, Avenue Q will run in a reduced-capacity Shaftesbury Theatre while the venue undergoes refurbishment work.

Tickets for performances through to 29 August are on sale below.