HomeArts & LifestyleAvenue Q review

Avenue Q review

Avenue Q is back on a UK tour, which is currently causing a hoot at the Greenwich Theatre. We had a vague idea of what the show was about before we went to see the show, but we didn’t realise just how funny the show was going to be. Puppets? That are funny? You really have to see it for yourself. In the show, Avenue Q is a downtrodden part of New York, where people are striving to know what their ‘purpose’ in life is and why are they really here and where are they heading? They do this in the most comic way.

Avenue Q
Richard Morse as Brian and Sarah Harlington as Kate Monster in Avenue Q. Photo Credit Matt Martin Photography.

This cast is beyond outstanding. We’ve seen several touring shows and the cast are normally good, but not ‘wow, that was amazing’. This cast are THAT amazing. We were amazed by how good they were and so versatile with their accents and comic timing. The way they moved the puppets across the stage and mimicked the actions of the puppets as they did so was absolutely brilliant. They are a Broadway-worthy cast, who delivered on each line and each song. Each puppet loved their innuendos, which were also seen in the bar at the theatre, in the shape of some rather fabulous cocktails. Who knew puppets could be so filthy? Lucy the Slut, we’re especially talking about you. Think a skinny version of Miss Piggy on constant heat.

Avenue Q
The Cast of Avenue Q. Photo Credit Matt Martin Photography.

Having seen the Book of Mormon, we can see where a few similarities lie in the tone and the downright filthy cheek that makes that show and Avenue Q such a hit. Especially in the UK, where we have a notion for being ever so polite and courteous, at least, until a few beers and several shots down the line, (but that’s another story). Further highlights of the show include the very un-PC titled songs such as ‘Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist’, which pokes fun at stereotypes. ‘You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You’re Making Love’, yes, this includes two puppets getting it on! And ‘My Girlfriend Who lives in Canada’ – which ends with slaps of innuendo that we didn’t expect to come out of such a puppets mouth! The characters all blend in together, they are all so very different, yet all on the same page as to where they are at in life.

The songs in the show are brilliantly written, with clever wordplay sparkling throughout every song. We’re not entirely sure that we’re meant to be humming ‘The Internet is for Porn’ on our way home on the tube, but we couldn’t seem to get the fuzzy monster and his antics out of our minds, we laughed til our sides hurt. Catch this show whilst you can. Just be prepared for the unexpected and enjoy!

Carys Jones
Carys Jones
I am passionate about everything any anything that involves music, theatre and the arts! I love interviewing artists and getting to learn more about them. When I’m not doing artsy things, you may find me watching rugby, singing with my choir and travelling to a new part of the world. Carpe diem.

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