Gala night at The Arts Theatre celebrated the four-year anniversary of the hit show The Choir of Man.

Set in The Jungle, a fully realised pub complete with a working bar, the cast serve pints and engage with the audience. The story revolves around the familiar characters you’d find in any similar venue: the tough guy, the comedian, the joker, and the pub bore.  It explores the camaraderie that exists in a loose knit friendship group, supporting each other when life deals a blow or a romance ends. The pub becomes literally and metaphorically, a safe space where the men share their stories, fears, and flaws. At its heart, The Choir of Man offers a deep and thoughtful look into what it means to be male and how men navigate mental health challenges.

Part musical, part concert, there is no narrative but rhyming monologues linked by song, dance and live instrumentals. The Poet acts as narrator introducing the cast both by both their characterisations and their backgrounds with some touching details.

The audience are an integral part of the show being invited onto the stage whilst free beer and crisps are passed (and sometimes thrown) around.

The cast consistently deliver outstanding performances, with impressive harmonies and vocal arrangements by Jack Blume that add emotional depth to both new and reimagined songs. Every performer stands out, whether through strong vocals or musical skill. Some songs during the evening will get you dancing, while others might move you to tears.  There is a brilliant bit of choreography when the drum beat on Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is performed by Goffe as a tap routine.

Freddie Huddleston’s choreography is fantastic throughout, whether slow moving  to a football show on TV or glass clinking during “Some Nights”.  Richard Dinnen’s lighting design is both vibrant and synced perfectly to the music and Sten Severson’s sound design highlights the multiple part harmonies.

This review would not be complete without mention of the superlative four piece band whose timing is faultless.

This is not my first visit to ‘The Jungle’ and even the small number of changes to the cast made it fresh as each new member put their own stamp on the role.

The Choir of Man is a feel-good, foot-stomping, infectious production. 

5 stars

Review by Nina Gardner

Photo Credits

Choir of Man has extended its London showing until January 4th 2026

UK tour commences 14th March 2026

Tickets and further details available at the link below

https://www.choirofmanwestend.com/book-tickets

Cast

Aled Pennock   Bore

Jason Brock       Romantic 

Cal T King          Beast  

Ifan Gwilym-Jones      Maestro

Oliver Jacobson           Barman

Ben Goffe            Handyman

Benji Lord         Joker

Paul McArther     Poet

Levi Tyrell Johnson     Hardman

Sam Ebenezer         Swing

Alex Mallalieu         Swing

David Shute              Swing

Tom Carter-Miles    Swing,

Band

Jacob Evans           Drums

Jack Hartigan        Guitar

Darius Luke Thompson   Violin

Sam Tookey           Bass

Creatives

Creators – Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay
Director – Nic Doodson
Music Supervisor, Vocal Arranger and Orchestrator – Jack Blume
Movement Director and Choreographer – Freddie Huddleston
Monologues Writer – Ben Norris
Scenic Designer – Oli Townsend
Costume Designer and Co-Scenic Designer – Verity Saddler
Associate Director and Resident Director – Daniel Harnett
Musical Director – Lee Freeman
Associate Musical Supervisor – Alistair Higgins
Casting Director – Debbie O’Brien
Lighting Designer – Richard Dinnen
Associate Choreographer and Movement Director – Adam Hilton
Associate Sound Designer – Liam McDermott
Sound Designer – Sten Severson
Associate Lighting Designer – Jack Ryan.