In the 20th Anniversary production of Avenue Q, Meg Hateley plays Mrs T / Bad Idea Bear for a strictly limited season at Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End until Saturday 29th August, alongside a cast including Emily Benjamin and Charlie McCullough, and the show is using the original Broadway puppets. Meg was called in as Swing/emergency cover earlier this year for Coven at the Kiln Theatre, and she previously played Emmeline Pankhurst in 2024 at The Other Palace in Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World. With Meg’s mother Linzi Hateley having played Donna Sheridan in MAMMA MIA! from 2007 to 2009 and in 2017, Meg made her West End debut in 2022 playing Sophie Sheridan in the musical at the Novello Theatre. Alongside Meg’s MAMMA MIA! co-star Miles Henderson, she was a guest on Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, and over her career so far, she has performed at West End Live with MAMMA MIA! and Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, and in 2022, she played guest character Amelia Crosby in the BBC drama Doctors. Speaking with Meg, she told us about playing Mrs T / Bad Idea Bear in the 20th Anniversary production of Avenue Q, her time as Emmeline Pankhurst in Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World and making her West End debut as Sophie Sheridan in MAMMA MIA!.
For a strictly limited season, Avenue Q is running in the West End; how does it feel to be part of the 20th Anniversary production and bringing the original Broadway puppets to the Shaftesbury Theatre?
Being part of the 20th Anniversary production of Avenue Q is such a joy! Bringing the familiar furry faces back to the West End as well as a few new ones (shhh!) is very exciting. It feels particularly special to be working with Jason Moore and many of the other original creative team during this process. It’s a show that holds a special place in so many people’s hearts, and I’m thrilled that I get to join the neighbourhood for its celebration.
How familiar were you with Avenue Q before joining the show as Mrs T / Bad Idea Bear and how would you describe these characters?
I didn’t know the show very well (apart from watching bootlegs of Julie Atherton’s iconic Fine, Fine Line). I definitely wasn’t sure on who Mrs T was, but getting to bring her to life every night is a real highlight for me. She’s like that old, mouldy potato you find at the back of the cupboard – plus a heart transplant on top. The Bad Idea Bears, on the other hand, are a naughty duo that get away with some pretty terrible ideas because they’re just so damn cute… if sometimes a little demented!
What was it like reading the script for the first time and meeting the rest of the cast (which includes Emily Benjamin, Noah Harrison, Oliver Jacobson, Charlie McCullagh, Amelia Kinu Muus and Dionne Ward-Anderson)?
It was brilliant to hear the iconic character voices come to life in that first read-through, and also so funny! Having not seen the show before, it was great to hear where the humour lands and how they get away with some of the more extreme jokes through the use of puppets.
Have you worked in puppetry previously and what is it like working with the Avenue Q puppets?
I haven’t ever worked in puppetry before, and it has been such a highlight of this job learning the skill, and continuing to learn! Andy (Heath) and Iestyn (Evans) from Talk to the Hand Puppets have been beyond amazing right from day one of rehearsals, teaching us the fundamentals of puppetry and helping us specifically with how to express what we normally would through our own facial expressions but through the puppets. It has been a joy working with them, and the show really wouldn’t look the same without their help and guidance.
How different are you finding Avenue Q compared to your previous roles and what is the musical like to perform in?
Avenue Q is like no other job I have done. It really requires you to put any ego to the side and fully invest in the world of the puppets. It may look like a little show, but the team effort needed – both on and off stage – to tell this story is huge.
Why would you recommend booking tickets to see this production of Avenue Q, and who do you think the show will appeal to?
We all need escapism and a good laugh, and this show provides that in bucketloads. I think this show is for anyone looking for a good night – but be warned, there is furry filth a plenty! (Not one to bring the kids to…)
You were called in as Swing/emergency cover for Coven at the Kiln Theatre earlier this year, how was that experience?
Working at the Kiln Theatre and with the Coven cast was a real treat – and not something I was expecting to happen. I learnt a lot from some really amazing women on that job. It showed me how important covers and swings are in our industry, and the support they provide is invaluable. Fingers crossed that show has more life, because it was a really special piece.
You previously played Emmeline Pankhurst in the 2024 The Other Palace run of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, how did you find playing the role and what was it like telling that story?
Playing Emmeline Pankhurst was epic – how could it not be? I was dressed in a purple army costume, rapping about Deeds Not Words to families and children shouting it back to me – it was so much fun. It was part of a show that delved into many amazing women in history, lots of whom I had never heard about!
Was there anything in particular that drew you to Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, and what did you enjoy most about your time with the show?
I loved the whole concept for the show, based off the brilliant books by Kate Pankhurst. It was great to see these women’s stories being told through fun songs, and that children (and adults) were learning about some of the brilliant women who changed the world. A highlight was being invited to the National Portrait Gallery to have our photos taken with our respective character portraits.
How did you find the experience starring in MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre and what was Sophie Sheridan like to play?
I had a wonderful time at MAMMA MIA!. It was my West End debut, and what a show to have that experience with. Sophie Sheridan was such a joy to play; her determination, undeniable warmth, and yes, her naivety too, made her a concoction of fun and strength that I loved every night. I made some wonderful friends on the show and lots of happy memories… I don’t miss the fake tan though!
Your mother (Linzi Hateley) played Donna Sheridan in MAMMA MIA! from 2007 to 2009 and again in 2017; how did you feel booking your role of Sophie in 2022 and having MAMMA MIA! as your West End debut?
It was a crazy full-circle moment! I grew up watching my mum in the show, so getting to then be a part of it myself felt very familiar. There were also a fair few people – including our lovely dresser, Nia – who had worked on the show with my mum previously. I had so much love and support surrounding me that had known me since I was little, and I am really grateful to have had MAMMA MIA! as my West End debut for that reason.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time as Sophie, and how was it filming as a guest on Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream alongside your co-star Miles Henderson (Sky)?
Performing at West End Live for the first time was amazing. Hearing the excitement for a show that is so loved was really overwhelming and is something I won’t ever forget! Olivia Lallo and Tash Heyward (who played Lisa and Ali) and I were also asked to be a part of the Take A Moment campaign, that encourages you to stop, breathe and take a moment for yourself. We were photographed by Ray Burmiston and featured on the Piccadilly Lights – it was so special to be involved.
Being involved in the Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream TV show was good fun, and what a nice excuse for a weekend away in Corfu!
For your roles in Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World and MAMMA MIA!, you performed at West End Live; what is it like performing at the event?
Any opportunity to get more people interested in theatre I think is great, and the crowds at West End Live are always so supportive! It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the current shows in town that year.
Can you tell us about filming as guest character Amelia Crosby in an episode of Doctors in 2022, and how did it differ from your stage roles?
Filming for Doctors was quite bizarre as it was during COVID, so lots of distancing and masks were still in place. However, I really love acting for screen and hope to do more of it in the future.
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I have always loved being creative and hoped I would do something in the arts!
What is your favourite theatre show, and what show are you wanting to see next that you haven’t already?
I recently saw Oh, Mary! and thought that was fantastic! Well I’ve heard Avenue Q is a right laugh, so I’d love to see that at some point! (Haha)
How do you like to spend your free time?
Spending time with friends and family, and reading my book!
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