Avenue Q review: Cheeky, no strings attached

When you are walking into the theatre and notice a sign warning you that ‘This show may contain puppet nudity’, you know you’re about to experience something different and a bit wacky.
Avenue QAvenue Q
Avenue Q

At first glance of the posters, it might look like a rather sweet family musical show with Muppet type characters and a cheesy boy meets girl next door plot.

But with catchy little ditties like ‘The Internet Is For Porn’ and ‘Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist’, not to mention an energetic puppet rumpy pumpy scene, this is definitely not for children – although adults and teenagers will love its cheeky fun.

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Avenue Q looks at the lives of residents in a run down borough where college graduate Princeton moves to and meets all sorts of characters who get up to all kinds of adult activities.

As well as meeting his love interest Kate Monster, Princeton comes across porn-addicted Trekkie Monster, Brian and his Japanese wife Christmas Eve, Gary Coleman and a Miss Piggy-esque Lucy The Slut.

There’s also housemates Rod and Nicky with Rod being a closet gay – despite everyone already suspecting his sexuality.

And let’s not forget the naughty Bad Idea Bears who try to plant terrible thoughts and ideas into people’s heads.

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It’s all a bit bonkers but is sharp, witty and great fun with the risque jokes striking a chord with the audience members.

The puppets are cleverly manipulated by actors who you can see talking, but your eyes are instantly mesmerised by the puppets and you find yourself believing they are delivering the dialogue and the songs.

With hilarious singing and dancing, a funny song celebrating the pleasures of Schadenfreude - the misfortune of others and lashings of silly humour, it’s a unique show which has to be seen to be believed.

The rather cheesy happy ending is all a bit predictable but it’s all highly entertaining and very well done.

A great night out which is cheeky, mischievous and politically incorrect.