Avenue Q, Liverpool Empire Theatre Review

by Lucy Moore | 23 February 2016

As we sat down to watch Avenue Q at Liverpool Empire Theatre last night, my mother in law turned to me and asked 'why are there not more kids when it's a show about puppets?'. In all honesty I wondered the same- but when the first song kicked in I quickly realised why. With numbers like 'Everyone's a little bit racist' and 'The internet is for porn' you know you're not watching a show for very young children.

Sarah Harlington and Richard Lowe in Avenue Q

Think Sesame Street but with swearing, political incorrectness a good dose of puppet sex and you have Avenue Q in a nutshell.

The story follows a number of loveable characters who live in a downtown street of New York- Avenue Q- as they navigate through all of life's ups and downs together. All of whom have a smart mouth and a big heart.

It admittedly took a little bit of getting used to, as the performers are just as visible as the puppets, however after a while the puppets move into the foreground and they come alive on stage. I would say you forget that the performers are there, but you don't- it's just as entertaining watching their expressions as it is seeing that of the puppets.

A special mention should go out to Stephen Arden, Sarah Harlington, Richard Lowe and Jessica Parker who made the puppets so believable. The audience were involved all the way through- they laughed, clapped, openly sympathised and gasped as each of the performers told their puppet's story and it was a pleasure to be caught up in the atmosphere of it all.

The musical has won the Tony Awards Triple Crown for best Musical, Best Score and Best Soundtrack and it's deserving of every accolade it's been awarded. It has also had sell out tours around the world which is not surprising.

Avenue Q tackles some very relatable scenarios, such as love and loss, exploring one's sexuality, money troubles and feeling a lack of direction in life. It will connect with each and every one of its audience members because everyone has experienced at least one of the character's dilemmas at some time in their life.

I am glad that I didn't read up on this before I arrived at the theatre last night. I expected to enjoy the performance, however not half as much as I actually did. It was one of those moments in my life where I was pleasantly surprised- it has fast become one of my favourite theatre experiences.

Avenue Q is loaded with mischief, cheekiness and jaw dropping moments that will make you wish there was no such thing as an intermission. I will definitely be taking my husband to see this when it tours again because I'm so excited to see his reaction to what I assumed was an innocent, children's story. Oh, how wrong I was!