REVIEW: AVENUE Q, Gielgud Theatre, October 30 2009

It can't be easy replacing someone who's become as beloved in a role as Julie Atherton has in Avenue Q. It is with great pleasure that I can report that Cassidy Janson has taken on Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, and what's more, she's managed to make her interpretations different but no less funny or touching than Atherton. In fact, her performance of the blonde bombshell's Special may be the best I've ever heard, with flawless diction, humour, physicality and sexiness.

Daniel Boys is, as ever, a joy as Princeton and particularly Rod (is it wrong that I've cried every single time I've seen him do that scene with his therapist Christmas Eve?).

Understudies Simon Gorton and Tom Parsons acquitted themselves well, though I felt that Parsons, who had the bulk of the funniest lines as Nicky and Trekkie, threw away some of the comedy slightly. Edward Baruwa, as Gary Coleman, had a similar issue - perhaps playing the role a little too understatedly for my personal liking - but his vocals made up for it.

Joanna Ampil, as Christmas Eve, always excels as a singer; and I was very impressed with Rachel Jerram, who was a fabulous Bad Idea Bear and radiates star quality even when just operating a puppet's right arm.

Avenue Q is running at the Gielgud Theatre.