The cast of Avenue Q in rehearsals. Photo by Matt Crockett.

This month, Avenue Q returns to the West End for the first time in 20 years this month, with a limited season planned at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

The anniversary production is directed by the original award-winning Broadway director Jason Moore, has music & lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and a book by Jeff Whitty. Making its debut off-Broadway in 2003, this comedic stage musical follows a group of puppets and humans living on a run-down New York street as they struggle with adult problems like careers, relationships, and finding their purpose. Despite its puppet-style presentation similar to children’s TV, it uses satire to explore real-life issues faced by young adults.

The production will star Emily Benjamin (A Knight's Tale, Manchester Opera House) as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, Noah Harrison (Pretty Woman the Musical, UK Tour) as Princeton and Rod, Meg Hateley (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World: The Musical, The Other Palace) as Mrs T and Bad Idea Bear, Oliver Jacobson (The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) as Brian, Charlie McCullagh (42 Balloons, The Lowry) as Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear, Amelia Kinu Muus (SIX, Vaudeville Theatre) as Christmas Eve and Dionne Ward-Anderson (SIX, Vaudeville) as Gary Coleman. They will be joined by Jasmine Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt, Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi and Joshua Williams-Ward, who complete the company.

AVENUE Q. Charlie McCullagh and Trekkie Monster. Photo Matt Crockett.jpg

AVENUE Q. Charlie McCullagh, Nicky, Mrs T, Lucy The Slut and Lesley Lemon. Photo Matt Crockett.jpg

Read more: Getting Re-Q-united with Some Old Friends!

Avenue Q features music orchestrations and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, original Broadway puppets, conceived and designed by Rick Lyon and set design by Anna Louizos. Joined by new UK based creative team members will see choreography by Ebony Molina, costume design by Jean Chan, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, sound design by Paul Groothuis, video design by Nina Dunn for Pixellux, musical direction by Benjamin Holder, puppetry coaching by Iestyn Evans and Andy Heath forTalk to the Hand Puppet, hair & makeup design by Jackie Saundercock and casting by Pearson Casting CDG. Original West End company member Julie Atherton will serve as Associate Director on the production.