'Puckish puppetry performed to perfection by The Portsmouth Players' in Avenue Q at Theatre Royal | Review
Timothy Quinlan brought Lopez and Marx’s muppet masterpiece, Avenue Q, bounding gloriously onto the stage of the Theatre Royal, fuelled by the incredible talent of The Portsmouth Players, who prove this furry cult classic still has plenty of stuffing left in it.
A slight technical hiccup delayed curtain-up, but in true Avenue Q fashion, the audience simply rolled with it. After all, good things come to those who wait and this production was more than worth the wait.
Part musical comedy, part existential crisis with googly eyes, Avenue Q follows Princeton, a fresh-faced graduate discovering that adulthood is far less Sesame Street and far more Elm Street. Beneath the outrageous puppets and gloriously offensive humour lies a surprisingly heartfelt story about purpose, relationships, and learning that everyone is a little bit… lost.
Rosy Stephens is sensational as Kate Monster, bringing the character to life with warmth, heart, and stunning powerhouse vocals. Opposite her, Adam Fox is a perfect Princeton, armed with razor-sharp comedic timing and bundles of nervous charm. Together, they create the kind of chemistry that has audiences grinning like Trekkie Monster on the dark web.
Ben Irish, as Trekkie Monster, expertly lands the show’s biggest comic moments, each met with rapturous laughter. Charlie Frame and Matt Gibbins are utterly delightful as Rod and Nicky, brilliantly capturing the odd-couple dynamic and milking every awkward pause for maximum comic effect.
Beth Evans smoulders splendidly as Lucy T. Slut, while Andrew Swallow and Rachel Dean shine as Brian and Christmas Eve, bringing chaos, heart, and hilarity in equal measure. Gilly Williams and Katie Bosher sparkle as the Bad Idea Bears, and Elizabeth Akinyemi delivers all the lovable attitude required for Gary Coleman.
Puckish puppetry performed to perfection by The Portsmouth Players, Avenue Q is a mischievous monster of a musical, bursting with heart, humour, and plenty of felt.
Not many shows have the ability to have the audience struck with shock one minute then aching with laughter the next. Avenue Q does this to perfection.
Until Saturday, May 30.