NEWS: AVENUE Q RETURNS TO THE WEST END IN 2026

The internet is for exciting theatre news — and this one’s a biggie! 

The legendary, laugh-out-loud musical Avenue Q is officially heading back to London’s West End to celebrate its 20th anniversary, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 20 March 2026 to 29 August 2026.

Background: The Story Behind Avenue Q’s West End Success

When Avenue Q first burst onto the West End stage in 2006, it quickly became one of the most talked-about and daring musicals of its time. Mixing cheeky Sesame Street-style puppets with hilarious, grown-up themes, the show ran for five years across multiple theatres — the Noël Coward, Gielgud and Wyndham’s — before closing in 2010.

After a special 18th-anniversary concert at the Sondheim Theatre in 2024 reignited fans’ love for its fuzzy characters and outrageous humour, producers have announced that the show will return in a full-scale revival to mark two decades since its original UK premiere.

The Revival

This brand-new production promises to be both a nostalgic tribute and a modern reimagining. The show’s original Broadway director Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect, Shrek the Musical) returns to helm the revival, joined by puppet designer Rick Lyon, ensuring that the iconic residents of Avenue Q look and feel just as cheeky as ever.

Producers shared their excitement:

“When the show first opened on Broadway, it broke all the rules — bold, funny, and full of heart. Two decades later, its message about growing up and finding your place in the world feels more relevant than ever. This revival is a love letter to everyone who’s ever seen a bit of themselves in the residents of Avenue Q.”

Performances will take place at the Shaftesbury Theatre, which will operate at a reduced capacity while undergoing refurbishment, giving audiences an up-close and personal experience with everyone’s favourite naughty puppets.

Story and Songs

For anyone who missed the original run — or those ready to fall in love all over again — Avenue Q follows Princeton, a bright-eyed puppet who’s just graduated with a BA in English and is now searching for his purpose in life. When he moves into a shabby apartment on Avenue Q, he meets an eccentric bunch of neighbours including Kate Monster, Lucy the Slut, the Bad Idea Bears, and a former child star named Gary Coleman.

The show’s score, by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon, Frozen), features a collection of cult-favourite songs like “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”, “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?”, and “There’s a Fine, Fine Line.”

Why We Can’t Wait

Winning the coveted “Tony Triple Crown” — Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book — Avenue Q remains one of the funniest and most original musicals of the 21st century. Its mix of laugh-out-loud satire, heartfelt storytelling, and loveable puppet characters has ensured its place in theatre history.

Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer ready for something a little bit naughty, this 20th-anniversary revival is set to be one of 2026’s most unmissable theatre events.

🎟️ Performances run from 20 March to 29 August 2026 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Age guidance: 13+

Evening performances: Monday–Saturday

Matinees: Thursday & Saturday

👉 Book tickets now and rediscover why life may suck sometimes — but it’s still full of laughs on Avenue Q!