Avenue Q: Adults Only Sesame Street @ Rolystone

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Posted 2012-10-30 by Douglas Sutherland-Bruce ⇒ follow

Fri 16 Nov 2012 - Sat 01 Dec 2012

Roleystone Theatre's production of Avenue Q is definitely aimed at adults and mature teenagers with its strong themes of racism, pornography, homosexuality and puppet sex.

The production team says the show is great for teenagers because it deals with real life – but parents should use their discretion based on the maturity of their children.

Described as "Sesame Street for adults", the musical focuses on the life of Princeton, who finishes university and moves out into the big wide world.

Renting an apartment in Avenue Q, he meets several others all searching for their purpose in life.

With songs including The Internet is for Porn, It Sucks To Be Me and I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today, the show won three Tony Awards in 2003 including best musical.

It features 11 puppet and three human characters and is performed with the puppeteers visible, using several different types of puppets.

"Much of the show's ironic humor arises from its contrasts with Sesame Street, highlighting the differences between childhood and adulthood," director Lorna Mackie said.

"The characters are facing real-world adult challenges with uncertain outcomes, as opposed to the simplistic problems and invariably happy resolutions faced by characters on children's television.

"I am a huge fan of modern musicals and Avenue Q is one of the best of this genre.

"The show, while performed in a somewhat simplistic children's style, actually deals with some extremely complex themes and has a range of subtle layers to convey how the characters deal with these real issues."

Mackie has been acting since her teens in the UK, originally starting as a soloist in a ladies' jazz group before performing in Calamity Jane, The Little Mermaid and Africa.

After emigrating to Australia, she has most recently performed in The Geometry of Love, Meals Warmed Up and Intermission Theatre, designed costumes for Some Enchanted Evening, Get Smart and The Admirable Crichton and stage managed Trainspotting.

In 2010, Mackie made her directorial debut with the musical Reefer Madness, scoring several Finley Award nominations, following it up with the best musical production award for Funny Business last year.

With Avenue Q, she says the puppetry adds a whole new dimension.

"The actors had to undergo several intense puppetry workshops to work on emoting through the puppet, as well as their voices and singing, which are the actors' normal tools," Mackie said.

"While the music is intentionally childlike in style, it's actually deceptively complex and has required a lot of work on the harmonies.

"But it's a witty, well-written score and I was delighted to get the opportunity to direct this show."

Avenue Q plays at 8pm, November 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30 and December 1 with a 2pm matinee November 24. All tickets are $20 – book on 9397 5730 or at www.roleystonetheatre.com.au .

Please note: this production contains adult themes and is not suitable for children. Teenagers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Roleystone Theatre is located at 587 Brookton Highway, Roleystone, opposite the Croyden Road junction.