Express & Star

Avenue Q, The Alexandra, Birmingham - review with pictures

When I first told my mother we were off to see Avenue Q at The Alexandra, she asked me ‘is this like The Muppets?’

Published
Last updated
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

And what was my reply? Absolutely not.

While the comedy may be packed to the brim with bright-eyed puppets in a style we’ve come to love and recognise, Avenue Q is far from family friendly.

The musical comedy follows the story of Princeton, a puppet down on his luck searching for an apartment, and a purpose, after receiving his B.A in English - what is he meant to do with that, anyway?

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

He stumbles upon the quaint and affordable Avenue Q, where he meets his eclectic and quirky neighbours - perverse recluse Trekkie Monster, layabout Nicky and his closeted roommate Rod, failing Japanese therapist Christmas Eve and her fiancé Brian, and sweet kindergarten teacher Kate Monster.

The Superintendent, down and out actor Gary Coleman, rents Princeton an apartment, thus beginning his journey into realising what adulthood, relationships, and the meaning of life really is.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

It sounds like a serious musical so far, but in between these themes of existential crisis and our meaning in the universe is a series of crude jokes, hilarious songs and slapstick comedy that made me cry with laughter throughout the two hour performance.

Ordinarily when you see a theatre show, it's awe-inspiring to watch actors masterfully dance, sing, and portray a character all at once.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

But when you see Avenue Q, the puppeteers have to seamlessly master all of these skills, as well as give each inanimate puppet a shining personality.

This is something each puppeteer did with ease. It was easy to forget there was a person controlling the puppets as they were so animated and captivating throughout the performance.

Lawrence Smith injected life into the naive Princeton and uptight Rod, showcasing a sublime voice through songs such as Purpose, My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada and The Money Song.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

Cecily Redman, voicing Kate Monster and blonde bombshell Lucy The Slut, was simply awe-inspiring. She brought to life two very different characters - both at the same time as the show came to a close - and she was able to give both their own shining personality.

Her voice simply stunned during solo ode There’s A Fine, Fine Line that almost brought tears to my eyes.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

Tom Steedon offered hilarious moments in abundance voicing the crude Trekkie Monster as well as the lovable Nicky and one half of the bad idea bears, while Megan Armstrong impressed controlling Mrs T, a bad idea bear, and as a second arm for other characters.

Despite being objects, the puppeteers turned each puppet into a fully realised character that shaped the hilarious and heart-warming narrative.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

Saori Oda as Christmas Eve, Oliver Stanley as Brian and Nicholas McClean as Gary Coleman had a tall order in front of them to stand out among a cast of colourful and crazy puppets, something they all managed to achieve perfectly.

Every time Christmas Eve was on stage I couldn’t help but giggle. Her exaggerated Japanese accent and slapstick movements had the audience’s full attention at all times.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

She brought the house down through songs It Sucks To Be Me and The More You Ruv Someone, while Brian endeared the audience with his jokes that were so terrible, you couldn’t help but chuckle - some didn't even have a punchline, but his character was so endearing they didn't need to.

Gary Coleman doesn’t feature that much in the narrative, but when he was on stage he commanded it. Through You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want (When You’re Making Love), Schadenfreude and Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist he showcased an impressive vocal range and tone while causing the whole audience to laugh and cheer with his sassy attitude and sharp wit.

Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin
Avenue Q. Pictures by: Matt Martin

All of the love and laughter within the show took place in one subtly changing set. Each apartment was revealed by panels that lowered to reveal a tiny model of a room, and characters talking through windows. The set was simple yet effective, transporting you to different locations through the movement of just one door.

Ending on hit song For Now, the cast received a well-deserved standing ovation for the amusing yet poignant show.

If you have a chance, taking a trip down to Avenue Q to watch this fur-larious musical - you may just discover your purpose, at least for now that is.

Avenue Q runs at The Alexandra until Saturday. To buy tickets, click here.

The show then comes to Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre from June 11 to 15. To buy tickets, click here.