Picture: Mark Senior
The Choir of Man was reviewed at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London. The tour continues until 5 December 2026.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
If you enjoy a lively evening in your local purveyor of fine ales and spirits, and who doesn’t, then what’s better than to witness that rich cultural experience re-enacted on stage by a raucous, testosterone-fuelled, all-male cast while paying musical homage to some classic tunes and artists.
The Choir of Man, which started its West End journey at the Arts Theatre back in 2021, may have a storyline as thin as a beer mat and a lack of original songs, but that is more than compensated for by a constantly feisty and engaging ensemble that almost dares you not to join in – wallflowers are certainly persona non grata, especially so when free beer is on offer on stage pre-show, producing a high level of merriment, bordering on bedlam for what is to follow.
Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay and directed by Doodson, the show features musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations from Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston and monologues written by Ben Norris.
The Wimbledon show heralded the production’s first ever UK and Ireland tour, complete with a nice extra touch from the producers. Namely, the Jungle Choir Community Project, a new nationwide initiative whereby local choirs are being invited to take part on opening night in every touring city.
On that initiative, Doodson has said: “Every city has its own musical heartbeat, and welcoming those voices into the show on opening night is a powerful reminder of why this piece exists: to celebrate community, connection and the extraordinary feeling of singing together.”
There’s certainly no lack of togetherness about the main cast, which works superbly as a unit, like a well-oiled musical machine.
Oluwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi as resident poet leads the bar stool philosophising with heartfelt sentiments and Aaron Pottenger shines as the pub bore, while like a licensed premises MC, Joshua Lloyd keeps everything and everyone in order – just about.
Set in The Jungle pub, its regulars are instantly recognisable to any regular pub-goers and it’s made quite clear that this is no gastro inn where a homemade Scotch egg costs around £9, but a down-to-earth, sticky carpet pub where you wipe your feet – on the way out.
When the classic hits kick in, like Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’, The Proclaimers’ ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ and, of course, Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, the whole venue erupts into a frenzy of musical merriment, audience included.
Thankfully, there’s also a beautifully performed cover of the emotionally charged Luther Vandross classic ‘Dance with My Father’ to help soothe the eardrums and tug your heartstrings amid all the high volume mayhem.
There’s also some very impressive tap dancing from handyman Jack Skelton, illustrating the depth of rich talent on stage which is the real key to this show’s worldwide success.
Come last orders, to use a pub food analogy, this is always going to be a bit of a musical pickled egg – not to everyone’s taste. Given the choice of watching this production or sitting in a traditional pub on a Saturday night, listening to a great live band and people watching, I’d choose the latter. That said, there’s no denying The Choir of Man’s down and dirty charm.
Derek Smith
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