Avenue Q: who's who

Avenue Q is set in a shady New York neighbourhood. Think low-rent Sesame Street ... Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Here's our hero, Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate who moves to the big city armed with an English Literature degree. Cue big number What Do You Do With a BA in English? Photograph: Tristram Kenton

On Avenue Q, Princeton meets destitute standup Brian (in the shorts), Brian's girlfriend Christmas Eve (in the kimono) and handyman Gary Coleman (with the toolbelt, obviously). Yes, that Gary Coleman from Diff'rent Strokes Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Princeton quickly wins the love of frowning furball Kate Monster, a mild-mannered teacher whose life is made a misery by ... Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Mrs Thistletwat, her miserable boss. When Mrs Thistletwat falls ill, Kate Monster has an opportunity for promotion, but the night before her big chance, she encounters ... Photograph: PR

The Bad Idea Bears, who tempt Princeton and Kate Monster into an evening of boozy revelry, leaving Kate Monster hungover and bed-ridden, incurring the wrath of Mrs Thistletwat Photograph: PR

Life is similarly complicated for Avenue Q's other inhabitants. Rod, for example, is in denial about his homosexuality. (His defence? The showtune My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada) Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Rod is outraged when he is outed by his freeloading flatmate (and best friend) Nicky Photograph: PR

Meanwhile, the horned (and horny) Trekkie Monster spends his days searching the web for X-rated material. He's a bit like Sesame Street's Cookie Monster, if you swap the cookies for hardcore internet pornography Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Here's Kate Monster, Princeton and (in the background) Lucy the Slut, asking Eddie Izzard to move to Avenue Q after the show's recent opening at the Gielgud Photograph: Dave M Benett/Getty Images

Lucy passes on some acting tips to Sheridan Smith, soon to be seen in the Legally Blonde musical Photograph: Dave M Benett/Getty Images

Avenue Q is booking until 26 September at the Gielgud theatre Photograph: Tristram Kenton