Take the loveable puppets from Sesame Street, throw them into adult life – and you’ll end up in the quirky, irreverent – and hilarious - world of Avenue Q.
If those furry puppets taught us how to spell and be a caring young person, their equally cute pals who live on Avenue Q take us through the disappointments, frustrations and anxieties of adult life: relationships, work, money and prejudice.
These puppets enjoy energetic and varied sex, they get drunk, betray each other and worry about where their lives are heading. Don’t be fooled by the fur: this is not a show for children!
When it opened in 2003, Avenue Q won the Tony Awards ‘Triple Crown’ for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, plus a coveted Grammy. Now this acclaimed show has arrived at The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe.
Director Nathan Cant has assembled a multi-talented cast for this extremely strong production. The puppets are skilfully manipulated by actors Wade Ablitt, Natasha Staffieri, Cant himself (who has a voice that gloriously channels Frank Oz), Hayley Gavin and Betty Charlton. Their characters include a closeted gay banker, a Miss Piggy like sex-goddess called Lucy the Slut, a homely kindergarten assistant called Kate Monster, and our hero Princeton - a bright-eyed, unemployed English Lit graduate, played with endearing perkiness by Ablitt. Ashley Betts and Tasha Abbott play the human couple who happily interact with their furry neighbours.
A series of cheery musical numbers teach us some important life lessons: Everyone’s a Little Bit Rascist, and The Internet is for Porn. Educational videos introducing the concept of a ‘purpose’ and a ‘one night stand’ are Sesame-Street perfect!
And just as we think we know where the show is heading, Lopez and Marx throw in an emotional ballad that is genuinely moving, There’s A Fine, Fine Line, sung superbly by Natasha Staffieri as the heartbroken Kate.
Having started from the premise that “life sucks”, the feel-good ending reassures us that “everyone’s a little bit unfulfilled”.You’ll leave the theatre singing the songs – just be careful where you sing them!
Helen Clarke
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