Avenue Q

Avenue Q performed by Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (CADOS) on Friday 9th September, 2022 at Chorley Theatre, Dole Lane, Chorley.

‘Avenue Q’ is a musical comedy based on a book by Jeff Whitty with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. In 2004 it won Best Musical, Book, and Score at the Tony Awards. This funny, yet often moving musical, tells the tale of a recent college grad ‘Princeton’ who moves into a shabby apartment on ‘Avenue Q’ in New York. He has no job, no friends or even a ‘PURPOSE’ for his life! This is no ordinary neighbourhood and although he makes friends, they all share the same struggles and issues. The uniqueness of ‘Avenue Q’ is created by many of the cast controlling and being played by puppets and although this musical is based loosely on a certain children’s show, this is a musical ‘strictly for adults’, a musical that has become a firm favourite with audiences everywhere!

This was the second day of National Mourning for the loss of our ‘Queen’ and before the start of the production we ‘stood in silence as one’ to pay our respects to the passing of this ‘great lady’.

I hadn’t seen ‘Avenue Q’ before although I had been told many things about it, all of which I attempted to put aside as I sat down!  Chorley Theatre was packed to the rafters, has it had been for more or less the entire run. So as instructed, I sat back, ‘held on tight’ and just waited to see what was to unfold… I was not disappointed!

The Production… I can only imagine the effort and enjoyment… the laughter and tears that rehearsing this production must have brought! I had the privilege to speak with both Paul Carr (Director/Musical Director) and Siân Wharton Jones (Director) at the interval and at the end of the show… both had huge smiles on their faces which they should have had, because this was a great production!  The casting was perfect, the production well-rehearsed and as soon as that curtain opened, you were more than aware that everyone on stage was ready, prepared and willing to give it their all!  But, ‘being ready and prepared’, for this production required more than just singing, dancing and acting, some had to develop a new skill… become a ‘puppeteer’!  To ensure that was achieved, everyone in the cast, underwent specialist training from ‘Puppet Royalty’… Paul Jomain and Nigel Plaskett from the team responsible for the original ‘Avenue Q’ production; delivered workshops on the skills required… did those workshops pay off … without doubt!  What a ‘skill set’ to be able to add to your ‘theatrical CV’.  Congrats to Paul and Sian and everyone involved, be ever so proud of what you helped achieve!

The Cast… what made this production the success that it was?  Without doubt it was the obvious camaraderie within the cast, it was there for all to see, so to start identifying ‘favourites’ felt slightly wrong, but having said that I do feel it would be remiss of me not to give a couple of ‘shout outs’ to the two leads ‘Princeton’ and ‘Kate Monster’ played wonderfully well by Ryan Andrew and Lucy Whigham respectively!  ‘Princeton’ is determined to find a ‘PURPOSE’ for his life, why… using his words… because ‘It sucks to be me!'  He meets up with ‘Kate Monster’ a kind, loving, ambitious teacher, whose dream it is to open her very own ‘monster school’. Ryan and Lucy are blessed with great stage presence and amazing voices, they had great chemistry and their ability to bring ‘life’ to their puppets was outstanding! I loved all their scenes and songs together… their rendition of ‘Mix Tape’ and finale song in Act 1 ‘There’s a Fine, Fine Line’ and its reprise in Act 2 were particularly moving… be ever so proud you two wonderful job!
Throughout the performance all those with puppets worked their ‘socks off’ creating memorable characters with wonderful puppet style movement and solid accents, not least Jack Vardy and Rob Armstrong who played ‘Nicky’ and ‘Rod’ respectively. Their friendship ebbed and flowed with great feeling and their duet, ‘If you were Gay’ was brilliantly staged and the audience loved it!  (Arlie Pallant did a great job of hanging onto Jack throughout as a second ‘puppeteer’ with matching hand movements which were always in sync with Jack).  Well done, Jack, Rob and Arlie, great job!   

This was without doubt a ‘total ensemble production’, reliant on everyone working together as one, some literally!  The remaining puppeteers included Mark Lloyd who took on the role of ‘Trekkie Monster’ the reclusive creature, infatuated with the ‘Internet’ and its only use - ‘PORN’!  (‘Trekkie’ was another assisted by a ‘matching right hand’ worked ever so well by Rebecca Moran) hilarious characterisation… be ever so proud Mark!  Natalie Howarth did an amazing job with the ‘hair swishing’, ‘suitably alluring’ yet ‘dangerous’ ‘Lucy the Slut’ ... congrats Natalie great job!  Arlie Pallant and Rebecca Moran, separating from the original partners, had other roles to play.  Both played the ‘Bad Idea Bears’… very funny with great characterisation!  Arlie also played the overbearing ‘Mrs T’ and Rebecca played ‘Ricky’ and ‘Newcomer’ well done girls, great job throughout!  Completing this amazing cast, we had three puppetless adult characters… ‘Brian’ the laid back, kind hearted slob was played ever so well by Nathan Benson. Nathan created a fabulous character with good movement and a good voice!  Joyce Foster played ‘Christmas Eve’ the sharp tongued, demanding therapist, fiancé to Brian… another wonderful character created… be ever so proud Joyce.  Last, but certainly not least, we had Lauren Herbert’s characterisation of the irresponsible Superintendent and former Child TV Star ‘Gary Coleman’… well done Lauren, another great job!

The Band… the multi-talented Paul Carr was at the helm (Musical Director) and included Ben Attfield (Keys1), Katy Bradley (Keys2), Clare Higgins (Reeds), Kevin Bates (Guitar/Banjo), Michael Mayor (Bass) and Adam Moorby (Drums)… well done guys, great sound which provided some excellent accompaniment for the singers! 

The Set … purchased from Brassneck Theatre in Leeds where it was originally made for an Avenue Q production. A superb set which basically consisted of an ‘avenue frontage’ with three working doors and many working windows which were used creatively which enhanced the show so much!  Congrats to Ian Brookfield (Stage Manager) and his Backstage Construction Team of Shaun McManus, Leigh Mower, Maureen Strand, Ashley McLoughlin, Matt Frohock and Lois and Liz Hollis-Aggio for adapting/painting this set to fit the Chorley stage!  Puppet Wranglers / Stage Crew… Samantha Quinn and Ella Brookfield were tasked with looking after the ‘puppets’ and helping things run smoothly back stage… well done ladies, the puppets were amazing!  Lighting as always, here at Chorley, was first class, designed by Paul Carr and operated by Dilwyn Rogers Jones. Ben Holden, Ruby Johnson and Evan Ditchburn were our ‘follow spot team’ great job guys! Sound/Video Operator was in the safe hands lead operator Jose Jacob, with Steven Catterall and Zak Whitburn assisting. Sound was great as was the amazing projected imagery, which enhanced the production so much! 

Costumes and Additional Props were apt and appropriate and under the watchful eye of Sandra Dickenson and Rebecca Moran respectively.

Having now seen this musical I can see why people might be offended, but there was plenty of warning, and if you approached it with an open mind, it really was superb fun!  The show has a serious side and addresses issues such as racism, homosexuality, pornography and everyday problems that many people face even today, like finding a place to live, sleeping rough, getting a job, putting food on the table and life itself, which as we know, isn’t always easy … sound familiar!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I… we thoroughly enjoyed the show and can’t wait to see your next production.

Stay safe and keep well…
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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