Avenue Q at the Whitehall

A DUNDEE theatre company has announced the details of its latest production.

Downfield Music Society will present its adaptation of Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q at the Whitehall Theatre

The show features a cast of Sesame Streetstyle puppet characters dealing with coming-ofage problems in New York city.

It is aimed at adults and the show’s producers suggest “parents should use their discretion” when deciding whether to let their children come along too.

Avenue Q first opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in 2003, before transferring t o Broadway later that year where it won three Tony Awards for best musical, best score and best book.

In 2006 it transferred to the West End where it ran for five years before touring the UK. It has appeared in more than 10 countries all over the world.

The play will have a fourdate run at the Whitehall between September 26-29.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Ricky Flynn died in Ninewells Hospital on October 16 2010 from injuries he suffered when he was hit by a taxi while crossing the Kingsway. He was just 16 years old.

His ashes were scattered at Baxter Park — where Ricky and his friends would meet.

A memorial bench was also put up in the park for friends and family to visit.

But vandals have set fire to the memorial and parts of the bench have been badly burnt, including close to the plaque bearing Ricky’s name.

Alison Flynn, 54, told of her dismay at hearing that the bench had been damaged.

She said: “It is sad that someone is that bad that they would do that.

“How can they live with themselves?

“It is the same as desecrating someone’s grave.

“That is the only place we have to go and remember Ricky — that was where him and his mates all hung out.

“My husband and my granddaughter discovered it.

“We sit up there all the time and go up to the park.”

Alison revealed husband Zab, 57, had i nitially tried to keep t he news from her, fearing it would upset her.

She added: “I knew there was something wrong with him when he came in after being at the park — I could just tell something was up.

“He was devastated and when they got home my granddaughter Brooke said ‘I have a secret to tell you. Grandad told me not to tell you’.

A DUNDEE mum has told of her heartbreak after discovering vandals had set fire to her son’s memorial bench.