StoryHouse – until Saturday 2nd March 2019
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
Avenue Q the musical full of misfits, looking like Sesame Streets cute and lovable puppets; suddenly grew up and had a party that included lots of shots and a good dose of reality. This tour comes a whole sixteen years since Avenue Q first opened in New York where it’s set on funnily enough Avenue Q, I admit to googling Avenue Q… no it doesn’t exist but if it did well I’m sure just from looking at the jaw dropping set it would be so far removed from anywhere remotely trendy. It made me wonder if in fact Avenue Q wasn’t a pun in itself making me think of a true mixing pot of every whim society may throw into it.
It’s obvious that there’s a mini cult following of Avenue Q, audience members waiting for certain characters, certain songs. I had a conversation with someone who had listened to the entire show but not seen it, seeing her head bounce in time to the opening theme tune, I don’t doubt that.
All the music and lyrics are brought to us by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx who have an impressive back catalogue and list of awards between them, Frozen’s Let It Go and the Emmy nominated musical episode of Scrubs. Which raises the odd eyebrows when you note some of the musical numbers such as Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today, If You Were Gay… you get the idea. There may be puppets, there may be monster puppets but this is no where near a fluffy nod to life. It’s a warts and all look at life cleverly told through the mismatched lives of all those living on Avenue Q, perhaps by using puppets you can be a little bit more naughty. Shocked audiences don’t truly exist but laugh out loud audiences do. If you were to write a list of every cliche from homelessness to racism to homosexuality it’s right here tucked into a song somewhere, you’ll remember them but you’ll be laughing.
You’ll also be torn, will you keep your eyes fixed on those amazing puppets or the incredibly talented puppeteers? Multi tasking but at no time do you lose track of the story unfolding, I loved the singing and must mention Lawrence Smith (Princeon/Rod) Cecily Redman (Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut) Tom Steedon (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear) and Megan Armstrong (MrsT/Bad Idea Bear/2nd Arm) for great singing and managing to sing in the different voices of each puppet.
The story itself resolves around Priceton, a recent graduate with a BA in English, having no idea what to do with that degree or indeed what his purpose in life is. His life mirrors an ordinary life perhaps doing extraordinary things and intermingling with the lives of those he meets living on Avenue Q. Rod an investment banker and a republican who lives so firmly in the closet that everyone bar him knows he is indeed gay. Kate Monster seeking a fulfilling relationship yet being so desperate it alludes her. Lucy the Slut (yes you read her name right) imagine any cowboy film of old where there’s always a femme-fatale yup that’ll be Lucy. Trekkie Monster well sounds and looks like the cookie monster crossed with Chewbacca gone wrong, he is sex mad to put it mildly – an adolescent teen who in his own words loves porn and made millions from investing in porn. The Bad Idea Bears who as you imagine are the devils on everyone’s shoulder, have a drink, have another, play drinking games, take her home. They have annoying loud pitched cutesy voices but you can’t help but laugh and love them, we have all played the role of Bad Idea Bear at some time. Nicholas Mclean is great as Superintendant Gary Coleman including delivering his well used catchphrase ‘What you talking about Willis’
It’s a polished performance that’s been practiced, rehearsed and performed countless times, well thought out and developed concept and deserves to be an award winner and well followed with it’s own fan base. Quite a few will proudly be wearing their the internet is full of porn tshirts today. Avenue Q may be cute and fluffy puppets but please don’t take the children unless you awkwardly want to explain what the Princeton and Kate and doing on the bed with no clothes on – yes you will be witnessing puppet intercourse and wow are those puppets supple. It’s a laugh a minute night out with friends who have a sense of humour and aren’t easily offended.