REVIEW: Avenue Q, King’s Theatre Glasgow 2nd July 2011 starring Rachel Jerram
Today’s show was another one on my ‘still to see’ list –
AVENUE Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by a comedic alliance of humans and puppets!
Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, has just moved to this neighbourhood as he desperately tries to follow his dreams and discover his ever-elusive purpose in life.
A tiny bank balance, the distraction of a busty blonde and a variety of weird and wonderful friends and neighbours lead Princeton on a journey of self-discovery. Life may suck on AVENUE Q but being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, having sex (whether hetero, homo or porno… and that’s just the puppets!) are just some of the topics featured in the songs of this show. Winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical.
Not exactly the most regular premise for a musical and it didn’t temp me enough to fork out West End prices for it, but again it’s on tour so I gave it a go!
Well, I don’t know what I was thinking but this was brilliant. The performers had the audience in the palm of their hands throughout and on their feet at the end. The actors performed with wit, energy and sensitivity and with amazing dexterity. Special nod to Rachel Jerram, Adam Pettigrew and Chris Thatcher. An absolute joy from start to finish – go see it.
