Avenue Q | Shaftesbury Theatre

One of the most anticipated openings of 2026, Avenue Q has made a triumphant return to London’s West End and if you miss it, everyone you know who didn’t will certainly be feeling schadenfreude.

At its heart, Avenue Q is a story of community and love, laced with a raucous sense of humour and an irreverent cheek that makes this production an undeniable success. The set design by Anna Louizos is lavish, resembling a mega-sized dollhouse bursting with creativity. Every inch is filled with purpose and intelligence, perfectly supporting the show’s comic tone, nothing short of genius.

Jason Moore’s direction keeps the piece feeling fresh and relevant, despite its well-established place in the theatrical canon. In 2026, its message of community, delivered with tongue-in-cheek wit, feels especially timely. Moore clearly understands that this is exactly the kind of show the West End needs right now. The deliciously absurd material from Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty strikes a perfect balance, audiences feel like they shouldn’t laugh, yet can’t help themselves. There’s something wonderfully, almost disgustingly relatable about Avenue Q, inviting everyone to join in on the fun.

Emily Benjamin cements herself as one of the greats through this production, delivering a tender and loveable Kate Monster alongside a sexy, tumultuous Lucy the Slut. Vocally, she is a powerhouse, bringing the house down time and time again. Noah Harrison is equally compelling; his physical character work is irresistibly charming, complemented by strong vocals and a natural stage presence.

Charlie McCullagh and Meg Hately share electric chemistry, consistently elevating one another across multiple roles. Amelia Kinu Muus shines as Christmas Eve, stealing the show with The More You Ruv Someone in Act Two. Dionne Ward-Anderson brings undeniable charisma, while Oliver Jacobson impresses with intelligent wit and consistent energy.

The ensemble as a whole is a triumph, grounding even the most absurd moments in sincerity and making the comedy land even harder. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest casts in London right now.

Jean Chan’s costume design is both clever and cohesive, subtly reflecting each character through the puppeteers’ all-black attire. The iconic puppets themselves remain full of life, and the performers’ ability to seamlessly act through both puppet and self is consistently impressive, a true highlight of the production.

Reviving such an iconic show is no small feat, yet this team more than risen to the challenge, they have excelled it. There’s always a fine line when it comes to revivals, but Avenue Q proves itself more than worthy.

If you’re looking for sexy puppets, heartfelt moments, and side-splitting humour all wrapped into one unforgettable, strangely life-affirming night at the theatre, then you know exactly which street to visit.

Avenue Q is currently booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until August 2026 - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★★ (5*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Matt Crockett