20 Oct 2008
Julie Atherton will return to the cast of Avenue Q on 1 December for the show’s final few months at the Noël Coward theatre. The half puppet, half human cast will pack its bags on 28 March 2009 when the show ends its run after nearly three years in the West End. Read more
Avenue Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by an unholy comedic alliance of humans and puppets!
The musical, now in the third year of its run at the Noël Coward theatre, tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate who has just moved to the neighbourhood of Avenue Q, as he desperately tries to follow his dreams and discover his ever-elusive purpose in life. A tiny bank balance, the distraction of a busty blonde and a variety of weird and wonderful friends and neighbours lead Princeton on a hilarious story of self-discovery. Life may suck on Avenue Q but being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, having sex (whether hetero, homo or porno... and that's just the puppets) are just some of the topics featured in this show.
Avenue Q includes a score full of amusing songs, including It Sucks To Be Me, The Internet Is For Porn and If You Were Gay. Popular not only with audiences, the puppet musical won the 2004 Tony Awards for Best New Musical, Best Book Of A Musical and Best Original Score.
Avenue Q stars Daniel Boys, from the BBC's talent search show Any Dream Will Do, as Princeton and Rebecca Lock as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut. The show is directed by Jason Moore.
For more about Avenue Q read our First Night Feature or our Big Interview with Daniel Boys.
show times: Mon-Thu 20:00, Fri 17:30 & 20:30, Sat 17:00 & 20:30
ticket prices: Mon-Thu & first Fri perf: £10-£35. Second Fri perf & first Sat perf: £10-£47.50. Second Sat perf £10-£50
duration: 2h15
audio described performance: By VocalEyes on Thu 7 Aug at 20:00, tickets £20 T: 0844 482 5165 E: access@delmack.co.uk
cast: Edward Baruwa, Daniel Boys, Christopher Fry, Mark Goldthorp, Rebecca Lock (from 1 Dec: Julie Atherton), Jacqui Sanchez (from 1 Dec: Rachel Jerram), Yanle Zhong (from 1 Dec Joanna Ampil), York Chen, Maria Omakinwa, Tom Parsons, Taofique Folarin, Simon Gorton, Rachel Jerram
director: Jason Moore
lyrics by: Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
book By: Jeff Whitty
producer: Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre, The New Group and Cameron Mackintosh
map: View Map
address: St Martin's Lane,London,United Kingdom,WC2N 4AA
nearest tube: Leicester Square (100m)
nearest bus: 24, 29, 176
parking: Westminter City Council car park at China Town and Trafalgar Square. NCP at Upper St Martin’s Lane.
air conditioned: Yes
Access Booking: Tel: 0844 482 5137
discounts: Discounts are available for all disabled theatregoers and their companions.
limited mobility: Seats with the most legroom are H5, H6, H24, H25 in the Royal Circle and A8, A22, E25 F4 and all of row AA in the Stalls.
access description: 3 steps up (lower to the right-hand side) and then double doors opening inwards. Box Office on the right. 3 steps from the foyer to back of the Royal Circle, with 2 steps between rows. 30 steps down to Stalls and 30 up to the Grand Circle from the foyer (2 steep steps between rows). 40 steps up to the Balcony (4 steep steps between rows). Steps are highlighted and have handrails on both sides. Theatre open 30 mins before performance.
hearing impaired: Infra-red system with 15 headsets. Deposit required. Collect headsets from centre desk in foyer - reserve by calling box office.
guide dogs policy: Guide dogs allowed inside the auditorium, or they can be looked after by theatre staff (maximum 2). Please ask when booking.
wheelchairs: There is a ramp (gradient 30-40%, handrail on right-hand side) through the second side EXIT door on St Martin’s Court. Box M (door 68cm wide) has 2 spaces for wheelchair/scooter users, or 1 wheelchair user and a companion. Companions can also be seated in the Royal Circle. Transfer seating available to any aisle seat in Royal Circle. 2 wheelchairs and 2 scooters maximum. Wheelchairs stored in the cloakroom, scooters in the foyer. Groups should ring in advance.
toilets: Women’s off the foyer with 2 steps up inside the door. Men’s off the foyer. More at Stalls, Grand Circle and Balcony levels.
disabled toilets: No adapted toilet, but customers are welcome to use the toilet in the Duke of York's (approx 100m). You may also be able to use the Men’s toilet which is off the foyer - staff will clear this for you.
legroom: Large print programmes, braile cast lists, touch tours.
Daniel Boys voices Princeton in Avenue Q
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