Winter 2018Theatre Review: Avenue Q

Stylistically, Avenue Q looks as if it was just around the corner from Sesame Street; colourful puppets singing upbeat songs all about tackling the great big world, but Lopez & Marx’s 2003 musical acknowledges that life is more of a jungle out there once you’re an adult. The inhabitants of Avenue Q tell it like it is with confessional zest and humour.

The lyrics are a hoot, satirising 21st century hangups and attitudes about racism, the internet, homophobia and relationships, all contained within razzamataz songs with the odd reflective number.

This WAMDS production is slick and smart, the players showing great dexterity manipulating the puppets, their characters expressed through fullblooded human performances. All work hard to make the sassy dialogue and catchy songs zing.

The simple, all-purpose set, a frontage of multi-coloured terraced houses, operates at different levels, with upper windows thrown open for contributions from above.

There was no weak link to speak of in a talented, mostly young cast. Jack Martin brilliantly played the energetic focus of the piece, Princeton, with a range of emotions.

As the sensible, central female character Kate (even though a monster!), Megan Wight brought great subtlety of expression to the cartoonish proceedings and shone particularly in the quieter numbers - a promising performer, making the step-up to stardom here.

Chris Addington invested Nicky (who slides down from Avenue Q to Skid Row) with his own trademark rumbustiousness. He is ably abetted by Jess Dawber, who showed great versatility in also playing vinegary old Mrs T and one of the irritating Bad Idea Bears.

Eleanor Kelly vamps outrageously as Lucy The Slut. Screamingly uptight was Steven Cheeseman acting Rod, the closet gay guy - a wonderfully jumpy exercise in paranoia.

Martin White has been a WAMDS luminary for years and always gives great value, here in a trio of nicely differentiated roles.

Liam Dodd and Ashleigh Ho, as squabbling newly-weds Brian and Christmas Eve(!), raised the comic stakes every time they emerged, great fun as an irrepressibly embarrassing failed stand-up and his sarcy, language-mangling Japanese partner.

The folksy, deep verbal stylings of Leroy Liburd, playing caretaker Gary were also a joy.

Phil Harrison enjoyed himself hugely as Trekkie Monster, memorably extolling the splendours of the internet.

Forget puppet prejudice, surrender immediately to the racy, rackety fun happening down Avenue Q.