Avenue Q - When Sesame Street Grows Up!
Nicky “Look at the scratches on my back. What do they say?”
Princeton “Help.”
Since its debut in 1969, Sesame Street has remained a cornerstone of children’s television, using humour and music to explore life’s lessons. More than half a century later, its formula still works. It’s no surprise, then, that at the turn of the millennium, Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty reimagined that format for an adult audience with Avenue Q – a bold, irreverent homage that swaps childhood innocence for grown-up realities.
Now revived at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Avenue Q retains the familiar structure of its inspiration while tackling themes far removed from children’s programming. Issues such as homosexuality, homelessness unemployment and sexual urges are explored through a cast of quirky yet relatable puppet characters. Note: None of the original characters are used, rather their Stand Ins. The humour is unapologetically adult, often sharp and occasionally shocking, but always rooted in recognisable human experiences.
One of the production’s most impressive aspects is its puppetry. Far from hiding the mechanics, the performers are visible on stage, dressed in black and skilfully manipulating the puppets with rods. This transparency only adds to the charm, as the audience quickly accepts both puppet and puppeteer as a single expressive unit. In more complex scenes, it can take up to three performers to bring a character to life, a testament to the precision and coordination involved.
We meet such puppets as: Trekkie Monster, Lucy the Slut, Mrs T, Bad Idea Bears and Kate Monster who wants to open a Monsteressori School, bring energy and personality to the stage, including a song about schadenfreude. Under the direction of Jason Moore, the show moves at a brisk pace, with little downtime across its two acts. The cast must not only handle intricate puppetry but also deliver strong vocal performances, making the production as demanding as it is entertaining.
Visually, Anna Louizos’ set design cleverly echoes the bright, colourful aesthetic of Sesame Street, with a row of houses opening onto the street. The playful design occasionally gives way to unexpected visual gags, reinforcing the show’s comedic tone. Meanwhile, Lopez and Marx’s score is witty and well-timed, blending catchy melodies with lyrics that feel both contemporary and incisive.
Ultimately, the audience’s reaction says it all. Many attendees appear to be those who grew up with Sesame Street, now revisiting a familiar style through a more adult lens. Their laughter and engagement suggest the show successfully taps into both nostalgia and present-day relevance.
Production Notes
Avenue Q
Book by Jeff Whitty
Music, Lyrics and Original Conception : Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Directed by Jason Moore
Cast
Starring:
Charlie McCullagh
Emily Benjamin
Noah Harrison
Meg Hateley
Oliver Jacobson
Amelia Kinu Muus
Dionne Ward-Anderson
Creatives
Director: Jason Moore
Set Designer: Anna Louizos
Costume Designer: Jean Chan
Lighting Designer: Tim Lutkin
Musical Director: Benjamin Holder
Sound Director: Paul Groothuis
Musical Supervisor: Stephen Oremus
Information
Running Time: Two hours 15 minutes including interval
Booking to 29th August 2026
Theatre:
The Shaftesbury Theatre
210 Shaftesbury Avenue
London WC2H 8DP
Phone: 020 7379 5399
Website: avenueqmusical.co.uk
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Reviewed by Malcolm Beckett at the Shaftesbury
on 15th April 2026