What happens when Sesame Street collides with South Park? You get fur, fun and a few naughty four-letter words… all of which you’ll find on a Jersey stage next week.
Using the same script and score, musical Avenue Q will be brought to life by actors from the Jersey Amateur Dramatic Club next week.
Co-directed by Jennie Crocker and Kim Rainbow, in what will be their directing debut, the production opens at the Jersey Arts Centre on Tuesday.
But don’t be fooled by their friendly faces… these puppets have a naughty streak and all shows are restricted to adult ears only.
Before the curtain rises next week, Express spoke with the directing duo to find out more…
Why did you choose to stage this production?
Jennie: “Ever since I was young, I’ve loved puppets. I was raised on a diet of The Muppets, Sesame Street, Sooty and Sweep and Fraggle Rock. Ever since I saw it in 2007 it’s been one of my favourites. I love that such a silly show can deal with some hard issues.
Kim: “I have always loved Avenue Q, I remember seeing it on the West End when I was sixteen then straight away learning all the words to the songs.
“When we found out the rights were available, me and Jennie jokingly said, ‘Lets do it!’ and here we are. As we have both taken part in quite a few shows but never directed a show before it was a no brainer to do it together.”
What should audiences expect from JADC’s version of Avenue Q?
Jennie: “It’s a great laugh. The show deals with some really hard-hitting issues, but in a light-hearted way. It deals with homelessness, loneliness, racism and addiction. These issues are still prevalent in society.
“But the show is for adults only. Think Sesame Street meets South Park.”
Kim: “It’s hilarious and also heartfelt. It’s a unique experience having both puppets and actors onstage together and you will be leaving singing all the catchy songs.
“Avenue Q is a cross between Sesame Street and South Park so although it may look like a kids show… it absolutely isn’t.
“Our cast operate the puppets in full view of the audience but you will quickly forget the puppeteers and treat the puppets as real characters. It would be a great night out watching our wonderful talented Jersey cast.
Does it pay homage to the original production?
Jennie: “I think it does. But we have put our own little stamp on it.
“We were fortunate enough to have Andy Heath do the puppets for us. So we’ve made the puppets look a little bit like the performers.”
Kim: “Yes, it is the same script and musical numbers as the West End production and we loved the layout of the original set so took some inspiration when designing it.
“In the original production many of the cast play two or more puppets but we were so impressed by our auditionees that we decided to cast each puppet and not double-up.
“We have also had our puppets custom made so it has been great to have a few features look like our puppeteers.”
What was it like working with a double sized cast (including puppets)?
Jennie: “Incredible. They’ve all put in SO much work to bring the show to life.
“Our cast really do become the puppets. As soon as they put their puppet on, it’s almost like the puppet possesses them. It’s been really wonderful to see how much they care for their puppet too.”
Kim: “It has been such a wonderful opportunity for our cast. Having all the puppets being specially made for our production by the legend Andy Heath, and him coming over to Jersey to give us a puppet workshop will stay with me for a very long time.
“Our cast have picked up the techniques really quickly which is very impressive and learnt their lines very early on, so this has only made our job easier for me and Jennie by having a very committed cast.”
What is your favourite part of the performance (without giving any spoilers)?
Jennie: “It’s got to be ‘Fantasies Come True’. I love Rod and think his story during the show is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I love all the characters in the show, but I really do have a soft spot for Rod.”
Kim: “One of my favourite musical numbers is ‘It sucks to be me’ because it introduces you to the characters in the show and gives you their mini-backstory, balancing humour with genuine vulnerability.
“Another part of the show which makes me uncontrollably laugh is within another musical number near the end of Act 1, Gary and our bad idea bears sing. Let’s just say they only get away with it by being puppets!”
Avenue Q opens at the Jersey Arts Centre on Tuesday 14 October and runs until Saturday 18 October.