We’re no strangers to The Jungle here at Overstudies, so we’ll never pass up an opportunity to return to the Arts Theatre and see one of our favourite shows on in the West End at the moment: The Choir of Man. Now with a brand-new cast, the Olivier Award-nominated show is continuing its second West End run into 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Despite its outwardly ‘laddish’ appearance, it’s a show as moving and thought-provoking as the likes of & Juliet or Dear Evan Hansen, but with an iconic score and relatable setting that appeals to the everyday, common man.
If you want to hear more about the premise and history of The Choir of Man, check out our past podcast episode here, or Bekki’s review of the original West End run here. I’m going to be focussing on the new cast and (finally!) seeing the show in its unleashed, Covid-free form – so do pause and come back if you want to get up to speed!
One of my favourite things about The Choir of Man is that the show changes every single time you see it: it’s a show that encourages audience participation yet can also feel very different depending on the make-up of the cast. Each adds their own take and experience to the role being performed, creating a very special and intimate experience. I never fail to be moved by the ‘Home’ sequence in particular – the new cast’s is one of their pets, their partners and their losses, relatable to all yet deeply personal at the same time. It was particularly nice to see the grow of Daniel Harnett’s segment – at our first viewing of CoM way back in 2021 Daniel was ‘expecting’ his first child – now he’s got one. The show is deeply rooted in the personal, and it’s all the stronger for continuing to evolve in this way.
Despite seeing Choir of Man more times than I care to think about, I continue to spot new parts of the design and staging that further the experience, or get reminded of things that I’d forgotten about. From the Pride flag hanging to the side of an otherwise traditional pub scene, to the subtle lighting changes to convey emotions during songs such as Adele’s Hello or the original composition Bring Tomorrow On, the attention to detail within the production is second to none. And, of course, let’s not forget the on-stage bar, where patrons can enjoy a pint (sadly no longer free!) before the show starts, as well as interacting with the cast as part of the pre-show.
And it is the new cast that really shine the most – whilst I’ve loved every array of performers I’ve seen in CoM, there’s something particularly special about the “current class”. Michele Maria Benvenuto’s Maestro is sassy and vibrant, with his Italian flare and adlibbing adding an extra dimension to the role. Andrew J Carter’s Bore, meanwhile, has a likeable, Geography teacher-esque air, and I full deserved the heckle I got during the pre-show for taking a photo rather than saying hello back! A particular stand-out however was Handyman Ben Goffe, with some incredible tap routines fully conveying the emotion of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways within the show. The Choir of Man really can be summed up as a show that has you laughing out loud, crying and then laughing again within mere moments of each other.
Much of the spectacle of The Choir of Man comes from the jovial, friendly atmosphere just like that you’d find in many pubs across the country. The performers and the band all interact with each other on and off the stage, and there’s plenty of getting the audience involved too! It was nice to finally see the ‘full’ production of the show, with all the temporary adjustments and tweaks added during the Covid-19 mitigations now removed. Maybe don’t sit on an aisle seat if you’re afraid of audience participation…
That said, references to the pandemic and the closure of pubs across the country since Covid-19 within the of the book are beginning to feel dated. With the cost-of-living crisis now having an equally big impact on the industry as the pandemic, it seems like a great opportunity to keep the show relevant and fresh whilst staying true to the core message of togetherness and creating positive spaces for people to exist within.
All in all, The Choir of Man without a doubt remains one of the best tickets on the West End right now, and I for one certainly look forward to enjoying many more pints in the cosy home of The Jungle.
The Choir of Man is playing now at the Arts Theatre, and is booking through to February 2024. Tickets available here.
