Reviewer: Joanne Kerwood
Creators: Nic Doodson & Andrew Kay
Director: Nic Doodson
“Boozy Blokey Brilliance”
4.5 / 5
Grab a pint and a bag of pork scratchings – The Choir of Man are extending their sell-out West End run at the Arts Theatre. The laddy legends have set the bar high for brewing up feel good fun and sing-along anthems, and the new company doesn’t disappoint. Ale-lujah!
As soon as the audience step inside Oli Townsend’s perfectly designed, intimate set they’re immediately part of The Jungle, a friendly pub open to all. Before the show, the cast wander around the set, making small talk with the crowd and pulling pints on the fully working on-stage bar, welcoming you into the close-knit community atmosphere they create from the get-go. There’s no pretence or pressure, everything and everyone come across very genuinely, keen for you to enjoy the show as much as they clearly do!
The straight-forward storyline is that The Jungle is the meeting place of nine regular punters, there to have a good time, but also air their problems, give advice and most of all support each-other. While on the surface, this could just seem like a testosterone heavy bro-show, it’s surprisingly touching, shedding any preconceptions of masculinity and encouraging men to connect, bond and avoid suffering in silence. The characters are all unnamed, instead referred to as their personality traits – such as Michael Hamway as the Poet of the group, while Luke Conner Hall is the romantic. These immediate reference points allow the audience to quickly resonate with each character during their brief introductions, losing the need for intricate backstories or development, and allowing the show to jump straight into the good stuff.
Every single cast member is insanely talented – playing a variety of instruments (as well as creating music from standard items on stage such as the pint glasses) and belting out each song with brilliantly harmonised vocals, in between poignant and comedic monologues. The set list is full of familiar songs and artists – Some Nights, Save Tonight / Wake Me Up and 500 Miles are all successful in rousing the crowd into happily chanting along with them. The acapella versions of songs, especially the finale The Parting Glass are absolutely outstanding, and truly showcases the incredible talent of the well-versed cast. Although all nine actors (and the 4 person band) are incredible – Andrew J Carter (Bore), Mark Irwin (Barman), Daniel Harnett (Joker) and Ben Goffe (Handyman) especially need an individual mention for their brilliant performances.
Mentioned in the show, is a reference to how many pubs shut down during Covid – changing the landscape of boozers forever. While to some the pub may just seem like a place to grab a beer; to many it’s home to family, great friends and good memories. So, raise your glass to The Choir of Man – full of lager than life personalities, brewtiful vocals and toe-tapping anthems that automatically put a smile on your slightly sozzled face!
Runs Until 18 February 2024
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