Avenue Q continues at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London until 9 February 2019 then tours until 10 August.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Judging by the reaction from the press night audience of Avenue Q at Wimbledon Theatre, Selladoor can look forward to a very successful 2019 national tour.
This delightfully naughty musical with its mixture of human and puppet characters is fast-paced and slick. Its raunchy, satirical and wonderfully un-PC with songs such as ‘If You Were Gay’, ‘Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist’ and ‘The Internet is for Porn’, to name but a few.
Casting director Jane Deitch has sourced an extremely talented young cast which works well under the direction of Cressida Carré. The stage is packed with lots of energy, fabulous singing voices and great puppetry skills.
Lawrence Smith plays the new kid on the block, Princeton and “in the closet” Rod, to perfection which is equally matched by Cecily Redman as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut and Tom Steedon as Nicky and Trekkie Monster.
Nicholas McLean stands out as Gary Coleman and Oliver Stanley is an excellent Brian. Saori Oda looks amazing as Christmas Eve and has a terrific voice. The cast is complete with Megan Armstrong, Jasmine Beel, Ellis Dackombe, Chloe Gentles and Robbie Noonan.
It is a feel-good show and if you’ve never seen it – then book a ticket now. However, do pick your seat well. At Wimbledon the sightlines were such that the screens and certain actions could not be seen.
Rather confusingly for some audience members, the front of the New Wimbledon Theatre has a huge illuminated sign for an upcoming production of The Rocky Horror Show, with two illuminated posters for Rock of Ages either side. The posters for Avenue Q were only visible when you arrived at the steps to the theatre.
One other thing that slightly marred the evening, which is not the fault of the producers or cast, was the late start of the show (ten minutes) and latecomers wandering in with drinks in their hands. What has happened to theatre-going etiquette? We know theatres need revenue but not when it affects the show – you don’t actually need a drink to survive – and if you are late… get to your seat and get a drink at the interval.
Helena Howard
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