Avenue Q

Went to London over the weekend and saw Avenue Q while we were there, technically it's neither film or book, but it's in the same line, so why not?

First and foremost, it has to be said that I thought it was absolutely brilliant, saw it with my boyfriend and mother (interesting combination) and we all really enjoyed it.

So, cast we saw

Christmas Eve: Joanna Ampil

Brian: Christopher Fry

Gary Coleman: Edward Baruwa

Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear: Tony Parsons

Princeton/Rod: Daniel Boys

Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut: Cassidy Janson

Bad Idea Bear/Mrs T: Maria Lawson

The synopsis is relatively simply, a group of people live on Avenue Q, mainly because they can't afford to live anywhere better. Princeton has just graduated and has no idea what to do. Brian has just been laid off from work, his fiance, Christmas Eve, is a qualified therapist but has no clients, Kate is a teacher's assistant, Gary Coleman is the child star now working as a maintenance man on the avenue, Rod and Nicky are house mates who drive each other mad and Trekkie Monster is described as a pervert by everyone else. The basic premise is watching the lives, relationships and romances develop between these characters.

At the risk of stating the obvious, this is not a show to take your kids to, a couple of rows in front of us were some parents with their (quite young) children, those children probably got an education that they wouldn't normally get until many years later. With songs like 'The Internet is for Porn' and 'You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Making Love)' this probably explains why you shouldn't take your kids.

The show is very much an ensemble piece, so it seems unfair to comment on individual performances, but it's difficult to not have particlar performances stand out in your mind.

Joanna Ampil has got a hell of a voice on her, because of the character she plays and accent she generally puts on, it doesn't come across, but in 'The More You Ruv Someone' her voice shines through, and it's beautiful.

Tony Parsons is actually the understudy for Nicky/Trekkie/Bad Idea Bear, but he was superb in the role, and I find it difficult to imagine how it could be performed better, he has such an expressive face, and quite rubbery as well, I often found myself watching his performance when he wasn't the main character on stage at the time.

Brilliant show, really funny as well, all three of us found it very funny, mainly at the same bit, but not always. I have to admit to finding the Bad Idea Bears very funny, although my mum thought that they were really creepy.

This pulls up many parallels with Sesame street, like the little cartoon animations to explains new concepts and words, but much ruder and much funnier than you'd ever find in Sesame Street.

We went because we were going to be in London for a night out, I booked the tickets because they were a good price. I knew what Avenue Q was and was quite interested in going, my mum knew a little bit because I'd mentioned it to her and my boyfriend had never really heard of it before I mentioned it, but we all had a brilliant night out all the same.