Puppet subversion

Featuring a host of the ‘naughtiest puppets’ around, all brought to life by an ensemble cast of 11, the Tony Award-winning musical about growing up and dreaming big may look like an episode of Sesame Street, but don’t be fooled, its humour is definitely adult.

Meet Princeton, a bright-eyed graduate who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

Soon discovering that the only neighbourhood in his price range is Avenue Q, he finds himself moving in with some truly quirky characters.

There’s Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his closet gay Republican roommate Rod, an Internet ‘sexpert’ called Trekkie Monster and a very cute kindergarten teacher named Kate Monster.

And would you believe the building’s superintendent is Gary Coleman?

Featuring laugh out loud funny songs such as The Internet is for Porn and Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, Avenue Q first opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in 2003, before transferring to Broadway where it won three Tony Awards.

In 2006 it transferred again, this time to the West End where it was produced by Cameron Mackintosh and ran for five years before touring the UK.

Co-created by Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Robert Lopez, who also co-created the smash-hit musical The Book of Mormo, the new tour features Sarah Harlington as Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut, Richard Lowe as Princeton/Rod and Arina II as Christmas Eve.

Returning to the production following last year’s tour are Stephen Arden as Nicky/Trekkie Monster, Richard Morse as Brian, Etisyai Philip as Gary Coleman and Jessica Parker as Mrs T/ Bad Idea Bear.

Avenue Q, King’s Theatre, Leven Street, until Saturday, 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm), £17-£31.50, 0131-529 6000 Recommended 14+