A & O Review the Show

Avenue Q - The Musical Willis Was Talkin' About

Adrian & Olivia are back for London’s West End gloriously chaotic production of Avenue Q, the puppet-filled musical where adulthood is confusing, the internet is questionable, and absolutely nothing is suitable for children. In this review, they revisit the cult musical comedy that blends Sesame Street-style puppetry with very grown-up problems, unpacking whether its outrageous humour, surprisingly heartfelt songs and existential millennial panic still hold up more than twenty years later. From purpose and unemployment to bad decisions and very inappropriate puppets, there’s plenty to discuss — including how this West End revival has updated the show for 2026 audiences. So the internet is for… podcasts? Tune in and watch to find out. Chapters 0:00 Introduction & Life Updates 02:10 Updates 03:53 Avenue Q Show History 05:15 Personal Connections with the Show 08:35 Story & Characterisation 18:31 The Music 23:01 The Puppets, Set & Staging 29:29 Final Thoughts 31:27 Adrian’s Corner: Millennial Self-Help Podcast or Avenue Q Song?

John Proctor is the Villain - School is Tricky

Adrian & Olivia head to London’s West End for John Proctor is the Villain, the acclaimed new play inspired by The Crucible that’s been turning heads on both sides of the Atlantic. Set in a small-town American high school, the story follows a group of teenage girls studying Arthur Miller while navigating friendship, feminism, reputation, and the uncomfortable question of who gets to be called a “good man.” In this theatre review, Adrian & Olivia peek inside the auditorium to see why this emotionally charged production has become one of the most talked-about plays to hit the West End this year. From classroom debates to Lorde-fuelled catharsis, there’s a lot to unpack. John Proctor: tragic hero or walking red flag? Tune in to find out.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses – Wooing for Sport

This week, Adrian & Olivia swap the West End for the National Theatre, stepping into the seductive and scandalous world of Les Liaisons Dangereuses where manipulation is an art form and romance is anything but innocent. In this review, they delve into the performances, the backdrop, and discuss the themes of the show in amongst its dark games of power and persuasion at the heart of this classic drama. From whispered schemes to full-blown betrayal, they ask who really comes out on top, and whether it's the audience. A quick note for the visually inclined: our camera decided to stage its own dramatic exit for about 20 minutes. The video takes a brief intermission, but the audio carries on flawlessly because unlike certain characters, we remain committed to the truth. So, consider yourself invited to the party… if you dare.

Operation Mincemeat - Always Whole-Arsed, Never Half-Arsed

This week, Adrian & Olivia head to London’s West End for Operation Mincemeat, the wild musical turning one of Britain’s strangest wartime schemes into a brilliantly bonkers night at the theatre. In this theatre review, they unpack the British humour with a U, the delightfully daring performances and the audacity of turning a top-secret WWII deception into a fast paced, laugh out loud musical. From stiff upper lip absurdity to moments of genuine heart, they explore why this unlikely hit has become one of the West End’s most talked about shows. Top-secret triumph or classified catastrophe? Tune in - your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out.

Into the Woods - Agony… or Happily Ever After?

This week, Adrian & Olivia venture Into the Woods in London’s West End, where fairy tales collide, wishes come true… and then everything goes slightly, spectacularly wrong. In this theatre review, they take on Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical, unravelling the intertwining stories, the unforgettable score, and the not-so-happily-ever-afters lurking beneath the surface. From princes in agony to consequences that really stick around, they explore whether this clever yet chaotic classic still casts its spell on a modern West End audience. Agony… or happily ever after? Tune in to find out.