The Choir Of Man at the Arts Theatre – happy first West End anniversary

Of course I am in support of a first anniversary celebration dedicated to the suicide prevention Campaign Against Living Miserably who have crossed my stagy paths more than once before – the jukebox musical Choir Of Man is sharing some limelight with CALM, now having completed their first year in the West End. After all, the day correlates with World Mental Health Day. In full support of CALMs mission, I even have dedicated change ready for the announced post-show collection – only to learn that this is now mainly done via credit card, with a single bucket at the exit for cash. 2023 in your face.

A piano on stage is rarely a bad idea, and especially not when the audience is invited to grab a beer directly from the bar on stage before the show starts – drafted by the cast. A selfie holding a pint with the audience behind you has quickly become a staple on every West End bingo chart. And if you like beer, tap dance and live music performed on the trumpet, violin, drums, accordion, guitar, ukulele, banjo and a lot of other instruments as well as male choir arrangements of random chart hits – often performed in acoustically much more interesting ways than its originals – this show might be just the right ninety-minute midweek show for you. 

Admittedly, during a very chaotic first half of the year, I saw the Choir Of Men already with no nerve to write about it in detail: A guy next to me got up after two songs (mumbling something definitely not in favour of the performance) and did not return, and my evening companion whispered sincerely towards the end: “So are all of these actually known pop songs?” Frankly, it is very easy to be cynical about this musical, about its infatuation with harmony in every sense, its proud refusal of direction, its unashamed naivety and boyish humour (there is a pee break but only for actors, I will not say any more). About its lack of diversity, storyline and trigger awareness, about not being embarrassed to be performed on three cruise ships at the same time. About its unapologetic choice of songs, the kind of music you stick to in the rental car radio when you finally receive a clear channel after tuning through static noise while being on passenger princess duties abroad. Katy Perry, Queen, Guns ‘n Roses, that stuff. But then I followed the hype further online, the ultra fans celebrating their show quote tattoos and being chosen as the Pina Colada girl of the evening, returning every few weeks when everything else was just depressing.

However, with apologies to the band and especially to Mark from the sound desk, the Choir Of Man has its strongest moments in those few minutes when they sing acapella and, during the finale, even without any microphones at all – then the show reflects the magic of hearing a male choir in a public house without any anticipation, simply out of the blue. Rare miracles like this do not only happen in Cornwall but in unexpected places like, say, Whyteleafe in Surrey. In exactly those pubs this non-pub-theatre pub theatre piece pays homage to most. It must have been a very conscious, but nevertheless for the audience regrettable decision not to perform any shanties, and further it is a shame that only very few folky melodies have made it to the setlist. The singers are strong enough to perform them, they really are. Acapella, and without microphones.

Personally, I am preferring the new, less bromance-bravado cast to the one I saw in April which might have had slightly better vocalists but whose performance and companionship appeared a tad too choreographed. What happened tonight on stage however felt much more organic, maybe because I went on stage myself instead of the foyer bar to grab a drink. I also prefer the seat up in the circle to the one in the stalls – less chance of singers passing you a free beer or bag of crisps mid-show but also less risk of being drawn on stage. On both levels, the full house audience tonight is roaring: This show is a party. Afterwards I took the time to have a pint in the pub I had my first ever beer in London, only a few doors down from the Arts Theatre. I am glad I gave the Choir Of Man another shot. 

**** out of 5 stars

Produced by Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy & Andy Barnes and AK Theatricals

The Choir Of Man is booking until 4 January 2026, tickets from £20