The Choir of Man, UK Tour Review (2026)
Written by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for our thoughts to be shared. All opinons are our own
An international hit created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, and first debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, The Choir of Man. Recently staged at the Arts Theatre in the West End, where it racked up over 1,000 performances before it closed, will we be raising a toast to the success of this show on its first-ever UK tour?
A clever hybrid of a concert and a play, The Choir of Man transports audiences to a good old-fashioned English public house where they can enjoy a drink together, belt out some banging tunes and delve into important topics surrounding mental health.
The nine-strong cast each takes the reins of a distinct character within the overarching concept of a choir. There’s the hardman, the joker, the hopeless romantic, and the pub bore, but each character goes far beyond these stereotypes. As more layers of their personalities are revealed over the course of the show, the audience gains a deeper appreciation of both who they are as individuals and the strong bond they share.
An integral part of The Choir of Man is the audience interaction embedded in it. Early audience arrivals have the chance to get onstage to mingle and grab themselves a pint with the choir, as well as some other opportunities peppered in this show.
Usually presented as a one-act show, the UK tour has the addition of an interval. Whilst concerns were initially raised about how this would work and support the show, it allows audiences to join in on the momentum and energy of the overall piece comfortably. However, I do personally feel it’s better (and has more of an impact) as a one-act, expanding the runtime from 90 minutes to 2 hours and 5 minutes.
The energy in The Choir of Man is palpable. This cast, consisting of Rob Godrey, Joshua Lloyd, Ben Mabberley, Gustav Melbraids, Oluwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi, Aaron Pottenger, Jack Skelton, Levi Tryell Johnson and Sam Walter, is one of the strongest I have seen take the hand pump of this show. There is an undeniable strength in the warmth and power of their performances, which makes it an absolute joy to witness.
Under the expert musical supervision of Jack Blume, the ensemble delivers an unforgettable selection of songs by Queen, Sia, Adele, and many more. Woven between these powerhouse performances are personal anecdotes that add warmth, humour, and emotional depth, transforming the production into far more than a jukebox musical. Then, supported by Freddie Huddleston’s impressive choreography, you can understand why audiences adore this show so much!
The Choir of Man on the outside doesn't look like much expect a bloody good time at the theatre with great music. Beneath the surface of this interior is an ebullient tribute to our inclusive British communities. After referring to how good it would be to tour the UK back in 2022, I am so excited for more people to enter The Jungle and experience this show for themselves!
The Choir of Man is touring the UK until 05 December.
