"Avenue Q"

They always advise against working with children and animals but, after seeing this show, it seems that warning should perhaps be extended to include puppets.   Whilst in theory the puppeteer might be thought to have complete control over the activities of his/her charge, somehow each character here seems to adopt a life of its own.  The company has the advantage that its regular director is himself an accomplished puppeteer, to the extent that he leads a workshop on the subject at our Bridlington weekend and, after he purchased a set of the puppet characters for this show (available for others to hire), it was probably only a matter of time before the company decided to tackle it.    

Those responsible for such a decision are to be congratulated as the whole production was a great success, especially in the intimate surroundings of the company’s own venue, an excellent arts space in the city. There was no need here for the face microphones which have become almost essential elsewhere and, although this might have been at the expense of the occasional lost word here and there, this was no doubt a first night problem which can soon be corrected.  How satisfying (and unusual nowadays) it was to hear the natural sound of the human voice. The director’s use of the intimate setting was also impressive with some lovely atmospheric effects using a carefully designed home-made set and excellent lighting changes.

The show contains adult themes such as racism, sexual orientation and internet use yet its overall message is one of the need to live life to the full with kindness and care for others.  Princeton is a recent graduate keen to find his purpose in life and the show follows his search for this as he meets fellow residents in the eponymous street. Richard Hawley used his considerable experience to make a fine job of this leading role and so too did Emma-Louise Dawes as his soul-mate, Kate Monster, another seeking to fulfil her dreams. After their brief relationship appears to be at an end, she gave an excellent performance of the rather sad song which ends the first act (“There’s a fine, fine line – between a lover and a friend”).  The two of them made an excellent pairing and were supported by good performances from the rest of the cast of neighbours in the street.  Simon Marie and Luke Bailey were sometimes amusing, sometimes thought-provoking as flat-sharers Nicky and Rod seeking to explore the true nature of their relationship. Emily Rockliff is another experienced performer and gave a good performance as Gary Coleman, once a child TV star now working as superintendent of the apartment block.  Aiden Ellison, whose previous experience has been backstage, made an amusing Trekkie Monster, apparently obsessed with the darker side of the internet but ultimately responsible for Kate’s dream to be fulfilled.  Lucy, rather unkindly but perhaps accurately called the Slut, is a character who uses her assets to manipulate men into falling into her wicked ways and we saw a very amusing performance in this role from Anna Graham, another debutant with this company. Others seeking to lead our characters astray are the Bad Idea Bears, two charming and amusing trouble-makers nicely played by Morna Bunce and Jennifer Ellison. Linda Aikman and Michelle Freeman joined in the fun as Mrs. Thistletwat, Kate’s boss, and Ricky, Nicky’s brother. There’s a late appearance by Bethany Rose Edwards as the new kid in a similar position to that in which we find Princeton at the start.  . 

Where this show differs from many others is that the puppeteers are not concealed and so they do need to replicate the attitudes of their characters in their facial expressions whilst also giving them an appropriate voice.  All of them made an excellent job of this.  In support there are two characters for some reason written as humans rather than puppets. Stu Hutchinson gave an amusing performance as the would-be comedian, Brian, whilst I also enjoyed Helen Johnson’s portrayal of his fiancee, wife and subsequent ex, a therapist with no clients, Christmas Eve. Her Japanese background is seldom used as a source of fun but she has several amusing lines such as “Brian and I never fight; I yell and he do what I say”.

“Don’t pass me by just because I’m covered in fur” says Kate Monster.  I for one am glad that I did not do so and then miss this splendid show.  And the programme had the new NODA logo- are they the first?                    

                     

                    

 

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