Review: The Choir of Man at Arts Theatre, London

Thursday, 26th October 2023 at the Arts Theatre, London.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewer: Charlotte Dawes

With its combination of toe-tapping, knee-slapping songs and heartfelt monologues penned by Ben Norris, The Choir of Man provides a unique 90 minute theatre experience.

Created by Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson (who also directs), the show is set in a working pub called ‘The Jungle’, inhabited by various typical pub types. We meet characters such as ‘Romantic’ who is always either in love or heartbroken, ‘Hardman’, who isn’t really hard and ‘Bore’ who could talk to you (or perhaps at you) for hours about absolutely anything.

The Choir of Man doesn’t follow a traditional storyline per se, instead favouring short snippets and insights into each of the choir members’ lives. The music is by far the highlight, with the onstage band and multi-talented cast playing various instruments throughout the piece adding to the feeling you are sat in a pub watching a live band. Ben Goffe is a standout as ‘Handyman’, particularly impressing in his tap numbers.

Our host for the evening is ‘Poet’, ably played by swing Peter Lawrence in this performance. Between the big choir numbers, ranging from Guns and Roses – “Welcome to the Jungle” and “The Pina Colada Song” (yes, there really is a song for everyone), Poet reminds us how music can bring us together and help people open up. There is a bigger and more important message underpinning this show too, challenging the conventional notions of toxic masculinity. The show has even partnered with suicide prevention charity CALM and encourages its audience to seek out human connection.

The Choir of Man is a high-energy, fun show and could easily provide a gateway into more traditional musical theatre for the first-time theatre goer. And where else are you going to be able to get a pint of peer on a West End stage?

The Choir of Man is Arts Theatre, London until February 2024 – more information and tickets can be found here.