WYNDHAMS THEATRE

Great night out: if you grew up with Sesame Street
Morning after effect: looking at your neighbours differently
Recommend to friends: if they have the right sort of humour
See again: with a different groups of friends
Best bit: The Internet is for … what is that again?

Having grown up with Sesame Street, and being a big Jim Henson fan, I thought I had a clear idea of what to expect when I booked to see this show.  Sesame Street was one of the cornerstones of my formative years and my perception was that this, the illegitimate child, would be along the same grounds: probably not quite up to innovative standards, but still funny and trying it's best.

After seeing and thoroughly enjoying this show I have to admit that I was both right and wrong. The story of a young idealistic college graduate trying to make his start in New York is laugh out loud funny and just the right side of politically incorrect. It is poignant, and like all good comedies uses humour and truth to explore the dissatisfactions and expectations of you the viewer.

Like its forbears, this show cleverly mixers puppet and real actors to great effect. It takes a couple of minutes at the beginning to forget that the glorified sock puppet, quite obviously attached to the arm of that actor doesn't have any emotional range of its own, but you really soon do!  I brought 100% into the all the characters, both real and fabric. Take for example kindergarten teacher's aide, Kate Monster and her loves, moods and attempts to strive for happiness in a world that isn't quite meeting her expectations. She was believable mix of stereotype, idiosyncrasies and emotions. And she sings – everyone sings, and it's great! There is a huge amount of energy contained within the small cast and stage and you can't help bouncing in your seat and singing along (well I did. my husband just looked at me oddly)

I won't go into the story too much, and to be honest that story is not all that important. What is important though, is the way the different characters interact and how they both reinforce and challenge your stereotypes of both New Yorkers and people in your day to day lives, and there are enough home truths in this show to do just that.

For all the insight and the depth however, first and foremost this show is funny: sometimes cringe-worthy, sometimes make you laugh till you pee a little bit.  I don't think it's possible to see this show and not enjoy the incredible vibe, energy and passion the actors and the script generate.

So even if you are not in the mood for something deep – go see this. You might not even notice your perceptions being challenged but they are, you're just laughing too much to notice