THE CHOIR OF MAN

Arts Theatre

★★★★★

“this an ensemble piece at its finest, with a real sense of brotherhood amongst the whole cast”

The great British pub, previously everywhere, is now endangered – a ‘third space’ that’s slipping away. Enter ‘The Choir of Man’, a heartfelt, feel-good show where pints pour, voices soar, and everyone belongs – a new kind of safe space for theatre lovers and pub goers alike.

Walking through the doors of the Arts Theatre, we’re transported to ‘The Jungle’ – at first glance a typical local with typical personalities including a Barman, Hard Man and Handyman. But scratch the surface and it’s anything but, with a Poet, Romantic, Maestro and others turning beer-soaked bravado into a brotherhood of connection and creative outlet. There’s no narrative, with rhyming monologues linked by song, dance and live instrumentals exploring themes such as friendship and home. It’s rich in feeling, each man finding their voice before ending with a gut punch reveal and a raw folk farewell.

As a woman and a feminist, I was sceptical of seeing a show about men in a pub – I couldn’t have been more wrong. Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay with monologues by Ben Norris, ‘The Choir of Man’ is full of tenderness and truth, reclaiming a traditionally hyper-masculine space as somewhere men can express themselves. It’s romanticised, the poetic monologues and feel-good vibes giving it a dreamlike glow; but my soul feels lighter for witnessing a bunch of blokes holding space for each other. It’s carefully constructed to add depth, such as the Romantic pouring his heart out to Adele’s ‘Hello’ while the lads slow-mo through some football highs and lows. A deeper thread is also woven in, ending with a poignant reminder of the importance of looking out for each other.

Nic Doodson’s direction blurs drama and daily life. The stage becomes a pub for audience and cast alike. The cast roams about, checking in and making you feel at home. Multiple numbers involve audience participation, including inviting people on stage and even offering extra drinks and crisps to keep us going. It’s exactly the kind of warm camaraderie one craves from a third space, and a complete breath of fresh air from a West End show.

‘The Choir of Man’ is a folk-pop-rock jukebox musical offering something for everyone, from ‘Chandelier’, to ‘Under the Bridge’ and even a cheeky rendition of ‘Escape (The Pina Colada Song)’. Though the real strength is Jack Blume’s marvellous orchestrations and arrangements, with interesting interpretations, complex harmonies, and modern mashups to surprise and satisfy the musically inclined.

Oli Townsend’s set design doesn’t just suggest a pub – it is one, complete with bar taps and beer mats. Verity Sadler’s costume design balances cohesion and character. Freddie Huddleston’s choreography beautifully contrasts moments of unity and disconnection. Richard Dinnen’s lighting design is joyful, full of vibrant colour and synced perfectly to the music. Sten Severson’s sound design brings out the multiple part harmonies, though the voices get a little lost during the tap dancing and pint glass clashing.

The newly assembled cast is electric, closing out the West End run before embarking on a UK tour. Paul McArthur’s Poet breathes life and love into each monologue, each song aching with feeling. Jason Brock is a passionate Romantic, with beautiful tenor and falsetto ranges that soar skyward. Ben Goffe’s Handyman proves a master of all trades, with expert singing, trumpet playing and fantastically fast, crisp tap footwork that’s rare outside a dance show. Though this an ensemble piece at its finest, with a real sense of brotherhood amongst the whole cast – if your gaze drifts, it’s always greeted with exchanges that radiate trust. The onstage band also deserves a mention for their firepower and finesse.

‘The Choir of Man’ is harmonious in every sense, creating a place of trust and love that everyone should experience. Catch it on the West End and then again on tour – you’ll come away feeling refreshed and hopeful.

THE CHOIR OF MAN

Arts Theatre

Reviewed on 7th October 2025

by Hannah Bothelton

Photography by Mark Douet

THE CHOIR OF MAN

THE CHOIR OF MAN at the Arts Theatre

★★★★

“we leave with music in our hearts and a smile on our face”

The immediate sensation on walking into the Arts Theatre is one of nostalgia. Almost a yearning, for what is a rapidly disappearing institution: the local pub. The sticky floor, familiar faces. Beer mats on the tables instead of menus. No wine list. No cocktails. Just beer taps and bonhomie. “Welcome to the Jungle”. It’s an odd choice of name for a traditionally English (or is it Irish?) pub. But the regulars have probably just adopted the title in homage to Bon Jovi who provides the opening number to this exuberantly brilliant musical tribute, jukebox, concert, mash-up.

It is all very manufactured, but we soon forgive and forget as we are swept along in the flow of spilt beer and emotions. Our host is slam poet Ben Norris who guides us through the self-penned narrative. “We’re not here to tell a story” he announces, which is good counsel because there isn’t one. “We’re here to give each of us life”. Which is even better. The life and energy that every cast member brings to the stage defines, if not eclipses, our idea of a ‘bloody good night out’.

The choice of songs might sometimes be suspect, but the arrangements, courtesy of musical supervisor, vocal arranger and orchestrator Jack Blume, are captivating. Rousing anthems rub shoulders with stripped back a Capella moments. The synthetic seriousness of the lyrics is either lampooned or embraced depending on the personality of the singer. Occasionally schmaltz does gain the upper hand, but it can’t sustain itself. Humour intervenes, and a natural showmanship that is simultaneously virtuosic and blokey. Freddie Huddleston’s choreography belies its inventive precision with spontaneity and spirit.

With no story to follow we are left to wallow in the glorious performances. Whether this is deliberate or not is unclear, but it is in song that the personalities shine. Norris introduces us to the stock characters: the beast, the romantic; the hardman and the barman. The joker and the bore, and so on. But they are sketches until the music starts. Michael Baxter, as the maestro, gives a wonderfully playful and skilful rendition of The Proclaimers’ ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ while Jordan Oliver’s handyman persona tap dances furiously through Paul Simon’s ‘Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover’. Adele’s ‘Hello’ finally gets the poignancy it deserves, very cleverly set against the backdrop of the boys watching the football on the pub TV screen. Norris raises the hair on our necks with Luther Vandross’ ‘Dance with my Father’.

The overall message, if there is one, is of the importance of human connection. It presupposes that it is a dying art and much of the blame is put on lockdown. It is part fantasy in that it solicits a world that was better without qualification. But that’s nostalgia for you – it ain’t what it used to be. If you can ignore the various platitudes (‘home is where the heart is… but what if your heart is all over the place?’) “The Choir of Man” is a stunning musical show. And rightly so the crowd were on their feet before too long. It’s heartening to see a production like this make it into the West End, but there is also the feeling that it yearns to get back to its roots. Back to the Fringe. Back to the pub. One of the most moving moments was when the microphones were switched off for a folk finale. “So, fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be to you all”.

The ninety minutes spent in the company of “The Choir of Man” has been overflowing with joy. It’s closing time, and we leave with music in our hearts and a smile on our face. And with the knowledge that, should we wish it, it will be opening time again tomorrow.

Tag Archives: Ben Norris

THE CHOIR OF MAN

★★★★★

Arts Theatre

THE CHOIR OF MAN

Arts Theatre

★★★★★

“this an ensemble piece at its finest, with a real sense of brotherhood amongst the whole cast”