News of the musical’s third extension arrives with the announcement that Ann Harada, who created the role of Christmas Eve in New York, will be replaced by Japanese actress Naoko Mori on Nov. 20.

Mori’s stage credits include Kim in the West End production of Miss Saigon.

With such puppet characters as Trekkie Monster and Lucy the Slut, the debut musical by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (music and lyrics) has been described as "Sesame Street" meets "South Park."

Avenue Q started life in 2002 with an Off-Broadway run at the 200-seat Vineyard Theatre, where it was extended four times. It then opened at the Golden Theatre on Broadway in July 2003 to critical acclaim. The show went on to win three 2004 Tonys: Best Musical, Best Original Score of a Musical and Best Book of a Musical.

In Avenue Q Jeff Whitty’s book follows the story of bright-eyed college student Princeton (Jon Robyns), who can only afford to live in the down-market New York street of the show’s title. With a variety of colorful neighbors, Princeton goes on a journey of self-discovery. For more on Avenue Q, call (0)870 850 9175.