• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Review: The Choir of Man at The Arts Theatre

by Staff Writer
November 9, 2021
Reading Time: 5 mins read
The Choir of Man Credit Helen Maybanks

The Choir of Man Credit Helen Maybanks

Five Star Review from Theatre WeeklyThere were long periods of time over the last year when the simple pleasure of heading down to your favourite pub and having a pint (or two) with your mates, simply wasn’t an option.  Perhaps the importance of the local bar to many people’s lives has never been fully appreciated, and following the experience of lockdowns, The Choir of Man makes it feel all the more important.

Not that the show is a result of the pandemic, The Choir of Man has been playing everywhere from The Edinburgh Fringe to the USA and Australia over the past few years.  It made its London premier this Summer at Underbelly’s London Wonderground, and was such a hit it promptly announced a transfer to the West End’s intimate Arts Theatre.

This genre defying production is set in a bar, ‘The Jungle’ and it is in this cosy setting that we meet the pub’s choir.  The Choir of Man doesn’t have a story, it’s not supposed to; instead, it reflects on the importance of the public house as a space in the community, and the varied souls that pass through its doors.  It also very cleverly picks up on the fact that stories are often created themselves within the pub walls, and live on long after the hangover has faded.

       

Of course, there’s also beer.  Quite a lot of beer, audience members entering the auditorium early might find themselves treated to a free pint being served right there on stage.  This is no gastropub or craft ale house, it’s a traditional pub with real beer, crisps and pork scratchings.

And so the men are ‘real’ too, all assigned names that supposedly reflect their personality, such as The Hard Man (Tom Brandon) and The Joker (Matt Beveridge) and Piano playing The Maestro (George Bray).

You mightalso like

The Choir of Man 2025. Photo by Mark Douet

The Choir of Man Extends West End Run at the Arts Theatre Until January 2026

Jack Baldwin and Laurence Pears in Hold On To Your Butts. Original London Cast. Credit Mark Senior.

Hold On To Your Butts Returns to the West End for Limited Summer Run at Arts Theatre

All the men play instruments on stage, Richard Lock particularly impressive on the guitar, but they are also accompanied by a four piece band, which includes violinist Zami Jalil, who quickly becomes an audience favourite.

The main thrust of the production is musical, with our cast belting out, and stomping along to, an unlikely array of hits.  But between songs are poetic monologues penned and performed by Ben Norris.  They are surprisingly and incredibly touching, perhaps all the more so following the last twenty months.

The music covers everything from Sia to Avicii, with a sing along to The Proclaimers also delighting the audience (joining in is very much encouraged). There’s one song that might initially be considered a little cheesy for this kind of production, and then Miles Anthony Daley stands up and delivers such a stunning performance that even the boisterous press night audience hushed to pay attention.

Similarly, Ben Norris, who is not solely confined to delivering the monologues, performs a breathtakingly beautiful version of Luther Vandross’s ‘Dance With My Father’ which if it were released tomorrow would surely be a contender for the number one spot this Christmas.

       

Producer and director Nic Doodson has allowed The Choir of Man to grow and develop just as real life friendships do, the result is an astoundingly inclusive and laid back show that doesn’t feel like a performance at all; for most of it you simply feel like your hanging out with your mates.

Of course, the pub is not an exclusively male domain, but the title of the show should make it clear enough that this production does focus on men, and more specifically the relationship that men have with each other.  It challenges the idea of masculinity and shows male vulnerability at its most raw, and the power of other men to pick up the pieces when required.

The Choir of Man is one of a handful of current West End shows that originated at The Edinburgh Fringe, but its popularity across the globe demonstrates its power to showcase the human connection. It is unlike anything else you’ll see on the West End right now, full of surprises and absolutely bursting with (beer) barrels full of pure joy.

What The Choir of Man does so well, is capture that magical moment we often feel when we go to the pub; the moment that comes just before you get too drunk, when everyone that walks through the door is your best friend, and when you feel more care-free and uninhibited than ever before.  To then distil that into an hour and twenty minute performance is genius.  A certain beer brand don’t do West End shows, but if they did, it would probably be The Choir of Man. Enjoy responsibly.

Ben Norris in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Ben Norris in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Richard Lock Tom Brandon Tyler Orphe Baker Daniel Harnett in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Richard Lock Tom Brandon Tyler Orphe Baker Daniel Harnett in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Miles Anthony Daley in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Miles Anthony Daley in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
The Cast of The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
The Cast of The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
The Cast of The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
The Cast of The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
LtoR Richard Lock Tom Brandon Alistair Higgins Miles Anthony Daley Tyler Orphe Baker Daniel Harnett in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
LtoR Richard Lock Tom Brandon Alistair Higgins Miles Anthony Daley Tyler Orphe Baker Daniel Harnett in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Mark Loveday centre and the cast of The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Mark Loveday centre and the cast of The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Mark Loveday in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Mark Loveday in The Choir of Man ©Helen Maybanks
Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

The Choir of Man 2025. Photo by Mark Douet
News

The Choir of Man Extends West End Run at the Arts Theatre Until January 2026

Jack Baldwin and Laurence Pears in Hold On To Your Butts. Original London Cast. Credit Mark Senior.
News

Hold On To Your Butts Returns to the West End for Limited Summer Run at Arts Theatre

Choir of Man Cast Image supplied by publicist
News

The Choir of Man Announces New Cast for Extended Season at Arts Theatre

Jack Baldwin and Laurence Pears in Hold On To Your Butts. Original London Cast. Credit Mark Senior.
News

Hold on to your Butts to transfer to the Arts Theatre

Comments 10

  1. Pingback: The Choir Of Man Extends West End Booking Period - Theatre Weekly
  2. Pingback: Theatre Weekly’s Top Ten Shows of 2021
  3. Hywel Thomas says:
    3 years ago

    One of the best shows I have ever seen, with emotions running from heart stopping through hilarity to pathos. Brilliant fun, brilliant cast – and free pints if you’re lucky!

    Reply
  4. Sharon says:
    3 years ago

    Wow what an outstanding performance from an amazing cast, a feel good show from start to finish, funny, heartfelt. Felt involved in the entire show, brilliant 🤩 I would go see it again, most definitely

    Reply
  5. Pingback: The Choir of Man to Return to The Arts Theatre in the Autumn - Theatre Weekly
  6. G says:
    3 years ago

    Great show and singing amazing. Didn’t appreciate watching my wife pulled on the stage and having to sit with her hand on a fellas leg while he serenaded her

    Reply
  7. Pingback: Edinburgh Preview: Autopilot at Pleasance Courtyard (Forth) - Theatre Weekly
  8. Pingback: Edinburgh Preview: The Choir of Man at Assembly Hall (Main Hall) - Theatre Weekly
  9. Pingback: Edinburgh Interview: Ben Norris on Autopilot at Pleasance Courtyard - Theatre Weekly
  10. Pingback: The Choir of Man Releases More Tickets and Announces New Cast Members - Theatre Weekly

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Dr Freud credit Samcan Design

Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler to Make World Premiere at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Cast of Black Power Desk image supplied by publicist

Cast Announced for World Premiere of Black Power Desk at Brixton House

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly