If there is one show that you shouldn’t take your (young) children to, its definitely this one. Avenue Q has been likened to a Sesame Street for Adults and with themes such as homosexuality, racisim, internet and porn, and just life in general, I think I tend to agree. I read a review in the Metro and the following phrase is pretty apt: ” … if Avenue Q were brought to you by any letters at all, they would probably spell a swear word.” Great line. You will find that Avenue Q is unlike any show on the West End at the moment. In addition to the puppets, it nice to see a show that although dealing with potentially depressing matters, does not try to sugar coat things and in fact embraces the reality of life rather trying to escape from it. There is profanity and *gasp* even puppet sex. Yikes.

Princeton (a puppet) has newly graduated with a BA in English. He comes to New York seeking out his purpose in life and wonders what he can do with his BA. In New York, and specifically on Avenue Q, he meets the strangest set of neighbours. Firstly you have the puppets: Kate Monster, the cute loveable kindergarten teaching assistant; Trekkie Monster, the hilarious internet (and porn) addict; and Rod and Nicky (Bert and Ernie I hear you say.) Then you have the three humans: Brian (a wannabe comedian), his Japanese wife Christmas Eve and finally the super Gary Coleman. Hmm. Mixed together the neighbours go through ups and downs and “find” themselves and grow into who they’re meant to be in the end. Look out also for Lucy the Slut who is hilarious.

There are no attempts at hiding the humans behind the puppet and I found that this really added to the show because their facial and bodily expressions I think really made the show. They all must have had amazing energy with really four people managing all the puppetry all over the stage. It really was impressive to see how seamless the changes were.

Overall, this has to be have been one of the funniest shows I’ve seen during my time in London. The writing is smart and new just the right thing to say without going too far. Definitely a show that must be seen.