Review: Choir of Man

8th May 2026 – Opera House, Manchester by Tiffany Chevis

It is one of life’s great pleasures to gather with friends in a pub. Whether enjoying a lime and soda or a pint of something golden, it’s the laughter, camaraderie, banter and life shared that draws us together. The carpets may be sticky, the decor questionable, but it’s the company that will see you through the highs and lows of this existence.

This is the heart of The Choir of Man. Nine blokes in a pub, sharing stories and shots, and singing along to the piano. Oh, with a working bar on stage.

Originally performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017 and created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, this is more than a jukebox musical, with exceptionally talented actor-musicians breathing new life into well-known classics and lesser-known folk songs.

There is not so much a story, more a window into one wild night at The Jungle. There are the classic archetypes found at every watering hole – the Poet and Romantic, the Joker and the Hardman, the Barman and the Bore, The Beast, Maestro and Handyman – but the cast all seem somewhat more themselves. Less actors, and more mates who find themselves on stage, their real names and nuances are woven into the fabric of the show.

Narrated through spoken word poetry, written by Ben Norris and in this production performed by Owuwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi as the Poet, each tale of a man’s origin and home appear to ring true, their hometowns and memories delicately revealed and shared.

Undoubtedly every cast member has exceptional talents and musicality, including Niall Woodson’s (the Handyman) remarkable tap rendition of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, or Gustav Melbardis (Maestro) demonstrating incredible versatility in a multi-genre piano performance of 500 Miles.

Despite so many well-known hits, The Choir of Man is by no means a karaoke bar – the vocal arrangements by Jack Blume makes it feel as though you are hearing songs for the very first time. From an acapella Chandelier, to Teenage Dream tenderly wrought by The Beast (Rob Godfrey) to an unsuspecting audience member, allow for some beautifully soft moments amongst the raucous renditions of Escape (The Pina Colada Song) and You’re the Voice.

Back to the working bar on stage… yes, it’s true. And used to great effect during the show itself and in the breaks in between. There is no fourth wall as we are all in the pub with the lads, and by the end you truly did feel like you were down your local with hundreds of new friends.

But The Choir of Man isn’t about glorifying drinking, or making light of one’s problems. It draws you in, and reminds us of the importance of community, wherever and however you find it, in an increasingly divided world. It reminds us of what these public houses stand for – these communal front rooms that take people out of their shells, even just to sit in a corner and watch for a moment.

At a time when many shows are pushing back on audiences wanting to get involved, when we are told to be wary of our neighbour, and that you can drink just as good beer at home, this production is a wake-up call to the collective soul, the need to sing and laugh together – whether in a pub, or sat in the Circle seats. The bell for last call hasn’t been rung just yet…

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Visit the official site HERE