Avenue Q original London cast members to join current West End production for a special performance

The original London cast of the award-winning puppet show with bite – Avenue Q – will join the current West End cast for a special finale performance later this month.

Part of the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking show, the special performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 17 September will feature the onstage reunion of Julie Atherton, Ann Harada, Siôn Lloyd, Jon Robyns and Giles Terera. The performance will be dedicated to the memory of the show’s set designer Anna Louizos who died in New York last month.

Originally due to take up residence at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 20 March to 29 August, the 20th anniversary production was extended in response to high public demand with its final performance scheduled for 3 January 2027.

The production stars Emily Benjamin (A Knight’s Tale, Manchester Opera House, Bronco Billy, Charing Cross Theatre) as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, Noah Harrison (Pump Up the Volume, Turbine Theatre, 42nd Street, Théâtre du Châtelet) as Princeton and Rod, Meg Hateley (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, The Other Palace, Coven, Kiln Theatre) as Mrs T and Bad Idea Bear, Oliver Jacobson (The Choir of Man, Arts Theatre, Come From Away, UK tour) as Brian, Charlie McCullagh (42 Balloons, The Lowry, Jesus Christ Superstar, UK tour/50th anniversary) as Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear, Amelia Kinu Muus (SIX, Vaudeville Theatre, Kiss Me, Kate, Barbican Theatre) as Christmas Eve and Dionne Ward-Anderson (SIX, Vaudeville Theatre, Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales) as Gary Coleman. The company is completed by Jasmine Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt, Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi and Joshua Williams-Ward.

Commenting on the musical’s West End encore, producers Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson said: “We have been thrilled by the response to AVENUE Q’s return to the West End, and it has been an absolute joy to see a new generation of audiences connect with these outrageously loveable and inappropriate puppets. The show has always celebrated the chaos of growing up, finding your place, and trying to work out what you’re doing with your life, which remains relevant after all these years. We’re enormously proud of this production and hugely grateful to the brilliant company, creatives, crew and audiences who have made this West End run so special. Don’t miss your last chance to take a trip down Avenue Q!”

Directed by the original award-winning Broadway director, Jason Moore, the production features the original Broadway puppets, conceived and designed by Rick Lyon.

The new UK based creative team members include choreographer Ebony Molina, costume designer Jean Chan, lighting designer Tim Lutkin, sound designer Paul Groothuis, video designer Nina Dunn for Pixellux, with puppetry coaching by Iestyn Evans and Andy Heath for Talk to the Hand Puppets and casting by Pearson Casting. Original West End company member Julie Atherton serves as associate director on the production, with musical direction by Benjamin Holder.

Commenting on the production, director Moore said: “From the beginning, Avenue Q has been defined by singular, standout young comedy performers – and this new company continues that tradition! This dynamic group of actors brings exceptional talent and inventive spirit to the stage, bringing perspectives to the show in ways that feel both thrillingly fresh and perfectly timed for today’s London audiences. I can’t wait for audiences to see them in action!”

Featuring music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty, and music orchestrations and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, the downtown New York-set show features a cast of colourful characters exploring topical themes in a defiantly non-pc way.

The musical debuted Off-Broadway in 2003. A Broadway transfer followed within months and the show collected the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

Avenue Q first opened in the West End in 2006 at the Noël Coward Theatre, before transferring to the Gielgud Theatre, followed by the Wyndham’s Theatre, where it played its final performance on 30 October 2010. A special 18th anniversary concert production, reuniting the original London cast, was performed at the Sondheim Theatre in 2024.

Angela Thomas