Avenue Q continues at the Theatre Royal, Windsor until 2 November.
Having premiered Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre back in 2003, moved to Broadway and transferred to London’s West End in 2006, Avenue Q arrives at the Theatre Royal, Windsor under the auspices of Magic Mirror Productions Ltd.
For those not in the know, Avenue Q is the result of a collaboration between Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (who wrote the music and lyrics, book by Jeff Whitty) and claims to cross Sesame Street with The Muppet Show all wrapped up in an X-rated script.
It is generally more Sesame Street than Muppet Show and is a perfect adult spoof on the children’s television show which first screened in 1969.
The main vibe which spread after Avenue Q premiered in the UK was that it was very funny and very politically incorrect. True, there is racism and sexism in abundance, but any chance of taking this too far is salvaged by the justification that all races are racists and all sexes are sexist. And, of course, with puppets it is somehow easier to address these social issues.
The puppets themselves are of two kinds. Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut are hand-rod puppets brought to life by Ashley Oliver who skilfully throws her voice across the stage to speak for both characters when a scene calls for them to share the stage. Gary Jordan similarly works both Princeton and Rod with incredible facial expressions and pathos. At no point do we completely forget that these are puppets, but this just emphasises the duality of the actors’ skills in expressing both themselves and the puppets.
Jo Parson is equally skilled as closet gay Nicky and doubles as Trekkie Monster, bringing to life the second type of puppet used. The use of live-hand puppets results in a role for two artists, and with Lydia Marcazzo, the two use sophisticated choreography to manoeuvre around the stage in perfect synchronicity.
Completed by human characters, the cast also includes Amanda Posener as cocky Gary Coleman, Lauren Chia as Christmas Eve and Nick Martland as Brian.
The musical numbers are superbly sung by the talented cast, although sound issues mean that occasionally notable lyrics are unheard. Eddie Dredge directs.
Julie Watterston
http://www.magicmirrorproductions.co.uk/avenue-q-theatre-royal-windsor/
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