London Theatre Review: Avenue Q

As I walked up to Shaftesbury Theatre the big, bold yellow signs were unmissable. Avenue Q is a bright, welcome sight in a world that needs to lift its mood. The problems faced by the inhabitants of this New York neighbourhood might be small in comparison, but they are still challenging, complex and relatable. 

What is our purpose in life? What path should we be following? And how are we going to pay our rent at the end of the month?

Avenue Q returns to London’s West End

I went to see and review this bright and distinctive musical in 2006 when it first hit the West End, and it certainly left its mark. It ran for four years and has also toured the UK, but it’s now back in London and booking until 29th August.

Originally a Broadway musical, this West End revival of Avenue Q sees the the return of many of the original Broadway team including director Jason Moore who was thrilled to be able to “bring it into this modern decade with tweaks and surprises” and who made the point that this time it would be “adding an audience that was too young for some of these puppets and their particular brand of humour!”

Puppets with attitude: is Avenue Q suitable for your group?

Who this musical is suitable for is definitely an important consideration for those of you thinking about making a group booking. As I grabbed a drink prior to the press night performance I saw two young kids. I’m not sure if they made the performance but a kids show this is not. Yes, it is bright, fun and full of catchy songs and puppets, but if I was talking about it to a friend over coffee I’d be forced to describe it as a funny X-rated Sesame Street- an obvious comparison but one I feel the producers would rather swerve.

It’s fast paced and you get to know this group of characters quickly, and the cast is full of brilliant British talent. They had to go to ‘puppetry school’ to master the skills needed to turn the puppets into characters you will fall in love with. The techniques they use are remarkable and although the cast working the puppets are in full view, they don’t detract from them but by mirroring their movement and expressions almost merge into one. 

The characters, the story and the songs

The story starts with Princeton, who is fresh out of college and searching for his purpose. After starting his search for somewhere to live on Avenue A, he finds his budget on Q. It’s here that he meets new friends such as Kate Monster, Brian, Christmas Eve, Nicky and Rod. It’s a colourful group of puppets and humans tackling life’s challenges and trying to make their way in the world.

Princeton gets things going with opening number, What Do You Do With A BA in English but we really get to meet everyone with It Sucks To Be Me which is when the momentum starts to build. 

The voice work from the cast is exceptional with their different tones and accents. Some cover more than one character and the flow is seamless. It’s a supremely talented group of performers and, despite the humour and the fun, their voices twist and turn, dip and soar just perfectly.

There were definitely no jokes about AI and references to Netflix when I first watched the show, and instead of a mixed tape there is now a Spotify playlist, but the stories, characters, relationships and songs remain. 

The audience was suitably warmed up when we got to Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist but were still not sure how to react at first to a song that certainly raises eyebrows - but I found it impossible not to laugh at its smart lyrics and catchy tune. 

You can get a feel for the tone of this show through the titles of its songs, which continued with The Internet Is For Porn and a introduction to Trekkie Monster. It seems that puppets can get away with much more than humans. 

Of course, one of the main tests of a good musical is whether you’re humming the songs on the way home. Avenue Q definitely has a number of songs that have stayed with me, but I’ll definitely have to remember to sing them in my head when doing the school run.

The set sees us spend most of our time on Avenue Q but there is clever movement, lighting and video to ensure its dynamic, and we do also go to the top of the Empire State Building. 

It feels like there is nowhere this show won’t go so be ready and be warned. There is even a warning about ‘puppet nudity’ which isn’t something you see every day! The easily offended might be better off staying away. But if you like edgy humour or enjoyed the Book of Mormon then you should lap this up.

Avenue Q is about friendship, love and purpose and it’s been described as naughty but with heart, which for me sums it up perfectly.