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Picture
Avenue Q

The Palace Theatre, Southend

Tue 18 Aug - 22 Aug 2015

Let’s face it, we’re always trying to impress our kids, aren’t we?  However, the older they get the more of a challenge it seems to be. Most of the time I’m just a plain embarrassment, you know, like singing the wrong words to songs and taking really bad selfies on my phone that’s not an iPhone - that kind of thing.  And so hearing that the notoriously naughty Avenue Q was coming to Southend, I thought I’d ask my number one mickey taking child to join me in the hope of some impressive feedback.

Checking out the production’s website before seeing the show, I came across a piece of helpful information that I thought would definitely stand me in good stead in the parenting department - “we promise you this – if you DO bring your teenagers to Avenue Q, they’ll think you’re really cool.”   Fabulous, great….ahem, sorry I mean, “sick”! (that means ‘really good’ in teen-speak) I’m definitely on to a winner!  Steve (MyTown’s photographer and fellow embarassing parent) brought along his son, 19 year old Joseph and his friend, 18 year old Angus to see the show too and along with my daughter, Eva, 18, we were clearly in prime ‘cool points’ position given this new found assurance. 

Avenue Q, so the producers claim, is great for teenagers because it’s about ‘real life’, something we’re always banging on about to our uni embarking offspring. It addresses issues like sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn. OMG! (Eva: "mother stop saying that!") Nonetheless it sounds like a perfect evening for us parents; entertainment and education in one hit - and we  come away with our coolness intact - if indeed it was ever there in the first place!

This show is clearly a massive parody of the Sesame Street show, which ironically most of us parents  will have been brought up with; learning our ABC’s and counting skills with the likes of Burt and Ernie and the Cookie Monster.  These characters and more are paid homage in Avenue Q. 

Winner of the TONY “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton played by Richard Lowe, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate, the girl next door, Rod (the Republican), Trekkie, the internet sexpert, Lucy The Slut and other ‘colourful’ types who help Princeton finally discover his true purpose in life!  

Some of the actors also double up on their puppets and a special mention must go to Sarah Harlington who plays Kate Monster with such expression and skill that they almost become one.  Sarah also plays the hilarious vamp, Lucy the Slut and shows a great versatility between the two characters.  Likewise, Stephen Arden who goes from Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear in such a smooth transition that it took me a while to realise that each of them was being puppeteered by the same person.  Indeed such is the skill of all the cast because they really do make it all about the puppets. 

There are three characters, Brian, Christmas Eve and Gary “What you talking about Willis” Coleman played respectively by Richard Morse, Arina II and Etisyai Philip who aren’t puppets.  

Arina’s Christmas Eve, the hilarious Japanese therapist engaged to Brian the out of work comedian, almost stole the show for me, especially in her song "The More You Ruv Someone”. 

Created by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (Co-creator of Book of Mormon and writer of the songs for Disney’s Frozen - now there’s a contrast!) Avenue Q is a politically incorrect musical which is perhaps not quite as shockable as you may think.  It is, however, very very funny but if you’re easily offended, then I’d probably give it a miss and also perhaps think about getting a life.  As for our kids?  Well, Avenue Q is for teenagers what Sesame Street was for toddlers - an education. And for the rest of us - well, it’s one hell of a good fun night out!

As for collecting our cool points - well I thought it would be better if they told you themselves what they thought, (See “Ask The Audience”) but I think we may have scored a better than average result - I mean come on! YOLO!

Ask The Audience
Joseph
Angus
Eva
Joseph, 19, Langdon Hills

“I can’t believe how animated the puppets are.  You forget that there are puppeteers working them!  It’s really creative and the Bad Idea Bears really made me laugh.”

Angus, 18, Steeple View

“It’s really fun, energetic and lively.  Of all the new musicals I think it’s really relevant, especially to teenagers because there is actually an underlying message.”

Eva, 18, Southchurch

“I love the upbeat music and the lyrics are so funny.  It wasn’t actually as rude as I thought it would be but I loved the humour!”




 











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