Arts Theatre
6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H7JB 020 7836 8463
- Synopsis
- Theatremonkey show opinion
- Reader reviews
- Performance schedule
- Ticket prices
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS
NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE AGED UNDER 12.
It's a pub sing-a-long like no other. 9 guys deliver the favourite songs of Paul Simon, Sia, Adele and many more in foot-stomping style with tap and thoughts on community.
A working pub on stage, it's a party lock-in like no other.
In December 2023 they joined up with the Big Drop Brewing Co - the world’s first brewer dedicated to alcohol-free beer – as the show’s Official Alcohol-Free Beer Partner.
The pub regulars are Adam Bayjou (The Choir of Man – US Tour, Les Misérables - West End) as ‘The Hard Man’, Michele Maria Benvenuto (The Choir of Man – Norwegian Cruise Line, West End debut), as ‘The Maestro’, Ben Goffe (Hex – National Theatre, Snow White at the London Palladium – London Palladium) as ‘The Handyman’, Luke Conner Hall (Bat Out of Hell – International Tour, Australia/New Zealand, Peacock Theatre, QUEENZ: The Show With Balls! – Coventry, Edinburgh Fringe, UK Tour) as ‘The Romantic’, Mark Irwin (The Choir of Man – Korea, US Tour, Sydney Opera House, Norwegian Cruise Line, European Tour, The Commitments – Palace Theatre) as ‘The Barman’ with Sam Ebenezer (The Mousetrap – St Martin’s Theatre, Cinderella – Sunderland Empire) moving from swing to a permanent role as ‘The Poet’ and Niall Woodson (making his West End debut) continuing as a swing.
Choir of Man International alumni joining the West End Company include Robert Godfrey (Choir of Man – Sydney Opera House) as ‘The Beast’, with Seán Keany (Once in Concert – West End, China and Japan, The Choir of Man - Korea) and Richard Lock (Original ‘Beast’ in The Choir Of Man - West End) to join as swings.
New cast joining The Jungle are Sam Pope (Bat Out of Hell – UK Tour) as ‘The Joker’, swing Alex James Ellison (Fiver at Southwark Playhouse, Glory Ride - The Other Palace) and finally music producer and bassist from Metronomy, Olugbenga Adelekan will be making his West End debut as ‘The Pub Bore’.
The on-stage band has Emmanuel Nana Kwasi Bonsu on drums, Jack Hartigan on guitar, Darius Luke Thompson on violin and Sam Tookey on bass.
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Following Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, the company of the show are undertaking a year-long fundraising partnership with mental health and suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) www.thecalmzone.net.
The aim of the partnership is to raise over £10,000 for the charity’s vital work - which is enough to fund over 1000 conversations via CALM’s life-saving helpline.
Every week in the UK, 125 people take their own lives. 75% of those people will be men, making suicide the biggest killer of men under 50. CALM exists to change this by offering life-saving services, provoking national conversation, and bringing people together to reject living miserably. 'The Choir of Man' is an uplifting celebration of community and friendship, with one of the key messages being the vital importance of men coming together to open up and share their struggles, whilst enjoying a pint and a chat.
Audiences will have the chance to support the partnership in various ways – both whilst purchasing a ticket, with QR code donation points in the Arts Theatre, collections on select performances and a Text2Donate opportunity that will be highlighted during The Poet’s closing monologue.
The company of the show will also be offered support and advocacy opportunities by the charity, with a CALM Champion workshop.
Not available. Professional reviewers are agreed that this is one of those "office party" shows, with appeal to those out as a group looking for a bit of fun.
It's a mixture of back story - each man in the pub has one - and good old-fashioned audience singing along interaction. One of those rare times in a theatre where it is not only permitted but encouraged, it seems.
What it lacks in structure and story is outweighed by the strength of the music. Though one reviewer found a urinal sequence tasteless (the monkey would probably agree) for the most part it is harmless 3 star fun in the majority opinion.
Legacy reader reviews
The Choir of Man was annoying.
I hated the dialogue explaining who each person was as it didn’t matter a bit. Just pointless filler. Some of the singing was gorgeous and loved the harmonies.
Hated the final encore song. What a bizarre choice to end on a downbeat Irish folk song.
Had so many high energy bangers and then to end on that was baffling.
Stalls L1. Good legroom and view. Only missed the right side wall of the set. Happy to sit here again!
Broadway John.
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Apart from the scene on the loo it was rather enjoyable. You just have to bear in mind that it's not a typical musical as there is no plot at all. Okay, sometimes the narrator tells the audience something about the characters but that is not really a plot. But all those boys can sing and some of the versions of the already well-known songs are absolutely beautiful.
**** from my side although I admit that it's this type of show that encourages bad audience behaviour. Especially young women were just shouting and yelling and this was getting on my nerves from time to time.
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Stalls row BB1-3. Front row, high stage so constantly looking up. For 'Choir of Man' this was OK, which was why I chose it, but I wouldn’t sit here for a play as I don’t think you’d get a good perspective of the scenes.
You are very close to the action and looking at people’s feet on stage.
On the end of a row, just about OK leg room. Be prepared to catch a few splashes of beer every so often!
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.
Tuesday to Thursday at 7.30pm
Friday and Saturday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm
Sunday at 3.30pm
NO MONDAY PERFORMANCES.
Runs 1 hour 20 minutes approximately, with no interval.
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS
Theatres use "dynamic pricing." Seat prices change according to demand for a particular performance. Prices below were compiled as booking originally opened. Current prices are advised at time of enquiry.
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