As Donald Trump has been sparking mass protests in London this week, some other famous and more welcome visitors from America have also been in town.

While the US president brought division and derision with him, the Muppets in contrast created a fantastically fun and feelgood experience in their first ever live UK shows at The O2 in Greenwich.

For the older audience members (like me) it was a huge nostalgia rush as we got to live the childhood dream of being in the audience at a Muppet show.

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Photo by Luke Dyson

But it wasn’t just about sentimentality - there were several generations in the crowd, down to very young children, and The Muppets Take The O2 sent everyone home in a happy mood.

Unlike in their films and TV shows, the amazingly talented puppeteers and voice actors could be seen on stage as they brought Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and co to life.

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Photo by Luke Dyson

But it was easy not to let this be a distraction, just as it was easy to ignore everything else in the world during two-and-a-half chaotic yet joyous hours of sketches and musical numbers featuring all the classic gang of lovable furry creatures.

There were many highlights from the night, but here are a few of my favourite moments:

That theme tune

It's time to play the music

It's time to light the lights

It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight

Of course, this most famous and catchy song had to start things off - and what a spectacular sight it was. It confirmed beyond any doubt that a live Muppets stage show was going to work, and it instantly put a great big grin on this long-time fan’s face.

Dr Teeth and The Electric Mayhem

The Muppets’ house band performed several rocking numbers, complete with an awesome Animal drum solo.

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They didn’t look at all out of place in The O2 and, puppets or not, they were so good that frankly I would pay to see them in a concert of their own.

Doctor in the house

Celebrity guests have always been a mainstay of the Muppets, and there were several of them for their first live performance here.

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Photo by Luke Dyson

Among them was David Tennant who briefly wielded his sonic screwdriver again as the 10th Doctor Who in a new episode of the vintage Pigs In Space skit.

Comedy genius it wasn’t but it was a lot of fun and the Time Lord looked to be enjoying himself aboard the Swinetrek.

Mahna Mahna

When the main muppet disappeared during this song, a stand-in needed to be found. Fortunately, pop queen Kylie Minogue emerged from the audience to take over.

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Definitely one of the high spots, and she then stuck around to join Kermit for a very touching performance of Rainbow Connection.

I've got hap-hap-happy feet

As part of the show’s blend of old and new, the classic Kermit song Happy Feet got a runout complete with tap-dancing frog’s legs. It one of the many moments during the show that highlighted how the Muppets have this innocent charm about them that seems to live on through the ages.

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A bizarre but pleasant moment for me came before the show when a nice American lady asked to take a photo of my Muppets t-shirt, telling me her son performs as Kermit’s legs in the show among other characters.

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After seeing that it can work so well and provide such an upbeat spectacle, let's hope the Muppets' live shows turn into a regular event and we get to enjoy their unique brand of madness again before long.

If any oddly coloured creatures with crazy hair from the States deserve an invite back to this country and to have the red carpet rolled out for them it's these guys who make entertainment great again.

(Unless marked, all other photos and video by Sarah and Sophie Bull)