Avenue Q

This is a musical distinguished by the use of puppets, clearly operated by humans, alongside actors and puppeteers, which opened Off-Broadway in 2003. It tells the story of a 21 years old graduate who, after completing his college course, manages to rent accommodation in an apartment block in a run-down part of the city. From this location he endeavours to identify who he is and establish what his purpose in life is to be. Despite having successfully completed his college course he feels ill prepared to face up to life. Although there are some similarities with the children’s educational television programme “Sesame Street” that was created by the renowned puppeteer, Jim Henson in 1969, the programme contains the categorical statement that Avenue Q has not been authorised or approved by the Jim Henson Company or Sesame Workshop, which have no responsibility for its content. This show contains strong language, adult themes and full frontal puppet nudity which is very explicit; it also highlights some of life’s other serious moral issues. The show has won a number of awards and contains the popular song “There’s a fine, fine line”. The recorded accompanying music was of an extremely high quality and the vocalists all gave polished performances.

That much rehearsal time had been spent on this production was evidenced in its slick delivery; it must have taken a considerable amount of time to correctly co-ordinate the facial and physical movements of the puppets, particularly those movements which necessitated two puppeteers operating a puppet at the same time. Puppetry is one of the oldest forms of storytelling and this was a very successful attempt at turning these lifeless forms into animated characters with voices and movements that enabled them to help tell very convincing stories about how life really is for many young people today. 

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