Avenue Q - 21st February 2012

Most new musicals (especially American) are based on films (often less than brilliant ones). Most comedy musicals are usually sadly unfunnny. Avenue Q, fortunately, proves to be the exception to both of these rules.

First produced in 2004 this musical defied logic by combining the cuteness of Sesame Street with the lewdness of writing you would not expect to see on Broadway.
Surprisingly, this show won 3 Tony's including Best Musical defeating " Wicked". Unlike a lot of award-winning musicals this transferred across the pond landing at the Noel Coward theatre in 2006 where its success continued.

Long runs don't revolve around good reviews or awards but ultimately word of mouth. This is a unique feel-good show which the audiences want to see again and again.

After it closed in the West End Cameron Mackintosh organised a National tour and it succeesfully ran at the Millenium Centre, Cardiff last year. I was surprised it returned to the Welsh capital so soon and that it was packed on the opening night. The knowing response to each character and song indicated that most of them had seen the show at least once already.

For those who don't what to expect " Everyone's a little bit racist" quickly tells you this is not Rodgers & Hammerstein. You soon also forget that the puppet is hand-operated in front of you and you can only wonder at the talents of the performers who not only have to act & sing but also bring their puppets to life. It is only later you realise that while some actors have 2 puppets, some have none.

All of the artists are outstanding but special mentions must go to Julie Yammanee and Luke Striffler. The former steals every scene she is in with her loud-mouthed Christmas Eve while you would never have guessed that Luke Striffler was an undertudy playing the key double roles of Princeton and Rod for the first time. It makes you realise how much talent there is in musical theatre nowadays.

I am pleased to have finally visited Avenue Q. As long as you are open-minded this is a show I can definitely recommend.