Welcome to The Jungle, the pub at the heart of The Choir of Man. It is a familiar setting: an old-school boozer complete with sticky floors, battered furniture, an upright piano and, naturally, a well-stocked bar. It is the kind of place that feels instantly recognisable, populated by characters we might all have encountered on a night out.

Here, those familiar pub archetypes become the nine-strong cast of The Choir of Man: the Bore (Aaron Pottenger), Hardman (Levi Tyrell Johnson), Maestro (Gustav Melbardis), Barman (Joshua Lloyd), Romantic (Sam Walter), Beast (Rob Godfrey), Joker (Ben Mabberley), Handyman (Jack Skelton) and Poet (Nimi Owoyemi).

Playing at Richmond Theatre as part of its UK tour, this latest production is bigger, louder and expanded to a full 90 minutes. Rather than following a conventional narrative, The Choir of Man is part concert, part theatre and part late-night lock-in. Through music, poetry and comedy, it celebrates friendship, community and the simple importance of coming together.

The Poet provides the thread that holds the evening together, introducing both the characters and the central philosophy of The Jungle: a place where people can leave their troubles at the door, put down their phones and reconnect through conversation, music and friendship. As we are reminded, while most pubs have a darts or football team, this one has a choir, and what an amazing choir it is.

The musical performances are undoubtedly the production’s greatest strength. Vocal arrangements by Jack Blume are rich and inventive, allowing the cast to demonstrate impressive vocal range. The quieter acoustic performances allow the strength of the individual voices and harmonies to take centre stage, providing a welcome contrast to the larger ensemble numbers.

The musicianship is equally accomplished, with members of the cast playing a variety of instruments throughout.

There is plenty of spectacle, from the energetic choreography to Jack Skelton’s extraordinary tap-dancing, which becomes percussion as Nimi Owoyemi performs Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover. Familiar favourites including Somebody to Love, Some Nights and The Piña Colada Song are delivered with such energy that the audience is inevitably drawn into the celebration.

The fourth wall is deliberately blurred, with the cast using their real names and sharing personal details about their backgrounds and what “home” means to them. The onstage bar is fully functional, and early arrivals can mingle with the cast and enjoy a drink before the performance begins. During the show, pints are handed to audience members, crisps and beer mats are thrown into the crowd, and selected spectators are invited onstage to be serenaded.

The Choir of Man is ultimately a celebration of pubs as places of community, conversation and belonging, a love letter to the humble boozer at a time when those spaces are increasingly under pressure.

Boisterous, accomplished and genuinely warm-hearted, The Choir of Man is full of heart, a joyous reminder that sometimes all we really need is good music, good company and a place to call home. Come for the music, stay for the community, and leave feeling like you’ve found your local.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Five Stars.

Playing at Richmond Theatre until 26^th – 29^th August

Tickets and further information can be found following the link below

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-choir-of-man/richmond-theatre/calendar

 

During this tour the cast on stage will be joined by local choirs to perform Chandelier after the fianle.