Unafraid of a challenge, the New Venture Player’s latest production, Avenue Q, proved a huge success, captivating an appreciative audience from the offset.

The Sesame Street parody brings to life a community of twenty-something, furry puppets, struggling to survive on Avenue Q, a pretty downbeat New York neighbourhood.

Sharp, witty and unashamedly cheesy, these adult puppets get drunk, watch porn on the internet, enjoy a varied sex life, betray each other and worry about the meaning of life.

Each puppet is skilfully manoeuvered by its actor, and incredibly, after the first ten minutes you are mesmerised by the puppet rather than its operator.

The leading characters provide some memorable moments. Ben Hurley is perfectly cast as, fresh from college, Princeton full of self-doubt and desperately seeking a purpose. When he meets, Kate Monster, superbly played by Jess Jones, the chemistry is palpable. The pair (or is that foursome?) light up the stage.

Bob Brown flaunts the humour as stockbroker, Rod struggling with his sexuality, whilst flatmate Nicky, played by Neil Harris unashamedly and hilariously exposes his situation.

Gordon Collins is a bombastic, larger than life Trekkie Monster whilst Mia Goddard cleverly vamps it up as the luscious Lucy. Clearly these puppets are exempt from politicical correcteness, crossing almost every boundary with huge numbers like, The Internet is for Porn, Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist and If You Were Gay.

Cute, irreverent and hugely entertaining. You have until Saturday to catch up with it.