After two decades away from the West End, Avenue Q is back to entertain London audiences, and entertain it certainly does! After hints of a West End return for a long time, it's finally back where it, undoubtedly, belongs. With ridiculously clever music and lyrics from Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and a rip-roaringly witty book from Jeff Whitty, Avenue Q was always bound for success. But did the jokes stand the test of time?

Being completely honest, I went into the show blind to any of the material, bar the sneak peek we were given at the Avenue Q press launch last month. For me, this made the production that much more exciting. The premise is very much: satirical Sesame Street. In a time when puppets, monsters and humans co-exist (there really is no explanation for this, you simply just have to go with it), Princeton, a puppet, moves into Avenue Q, a rundown location in New York. The easiest way to describe the premise is simply: life. There's nothing fantastical, or show-stopping in terms of plot; just a group of people trying to find their place in the world.

While the entire cast are nothing less than sensational, Emily Benjamin and Dionne Ward-Anderson shine the brightest in their respective roles of Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut (Benjamin) and Gary (Ward-Anderson). While Ward-Anderson provided most of my favourite comedic moments within the production, Benjamin produced jaw-dropping vocals. Her ability to have conversations as her two puppet roles, with each character being so glaringly different, it was honestly astounding to watch. Mentions must also to the Bad Idea Bears (Charlie McCullagh and Meg Hateley) who were nothing short of hysterical as the duo. 

The music and lyrics are brilliant, and while I didn't go away singing any of the songs, every single one lands well with the audience and feels like it adds something to the show, which is rare nowadays. In terms of songs that had me crying with laughter, "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "If You Were Gay" were the highlights. However, "There's a Fine, Fine Line", was an unexpected quiet moment that almost moved me to tears, which I certainly wasn't expecting. The production ends with its most hopeful number, "For Now", and the addition of lyrics such as "Trump...is only for now", undoubtedly received the biggest cheers of the evening (and as it should have!).

The set design from Anna Louizos is instantly recognisable and provides all the chaos and joy you'd expect from a Sesame Street-esque parody and Ebony Molina ensures the entirety of the stage is used to its full advantage with her slick choreography.

Sometimes you just need some silly light-hearted relief, that's well-written, well-executed...and an all-round good time. And this production is just that. Avenue Q is escapism at its finest. Filthy, boundary-pushing escapism, of course.

You can book tickets to Avenue Q, here.