Review: Avenue Q is Sesame Street for grown-ups

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There's a disclaimer in the Casa Blanca foyer that Jim Henson of Sesame Street fame has no connection with Avenue Q.

Regardless, it's inevitable comparisons will be made between the two with Q's puppet doppelgangers of those from the Street.

Puppets apart, this is very definitely not a show for kids: if comparisons must be made it's that Avenue Q is Sesame Street for grown ups.

With that in mind Avenue Q is not for the faint-hearted; profanities, suggestive gestures and simulated on-stage sex, aren't soft-peddled.

That apart and despite its seedy New York tenement setting, Avenue Q is both funny and thought-provoking. Just as Sesame Street makes learning a fun thing, this is a show that focuses on life's lessons.

In that respect it's akin to a Middle Ages morality tale with humans assisted in its telling by those Henson look-alike props.

Manipulating them by hand and rod is a creditable achievement. Local puppeteers have skilfully mastered the art as they simultaneously sing and act their way through a score that include such thought-provoking numbers as The Internet's for Porn and Everyone's a Little Bit Racist.

Connor Hignett, as the recently-graduated, jobless Princeton and Kim Chapman, his love interest Kate, are the pivots fellow players revolve around, each convincingly holding their own, as they should; they form a cast drawn from seasoned local stage regulars.

Alasdair Hay's experience in musical and the Little Theatre productions shows as he takes his maiden voyage into the dual role of directing and vocal coach. His cast and crew have rewarded him well.

But however polished the performers, it's the puppets that steal the show.

Book-ending last year's Addams Family, Avenue Q is a bold bit of musical theatre staging.

A recommended night out - just remember that X rating.

WHAT: Avenue Q
WHERE: Casa Blanca Theatre
WHEN: June 16- July 1