Choir of Man (New Cast Members)
Arts Theatre - West End
(Review Complete)
The West end Arts theatre is the setting for the smash show ‘Choir of Man’ and they have recently changed some of the cast and the new cast members.
Hard Man - Danny Harnett
Romantic - Sam Edenezer
Maestro - Lucas Koch
Maestro - Lucas Koch
Barman - Gavin Ryan
Poet - Conor Hanley
Poet - Conor Hanley
The ‘Arts theatre’ is such a nice theatre, but for the choir of man it is very inviting. As you walk into the theatre a pub is in front of you, with music playing and a full working bar on stage for you to go up and share a beer with the cast. Cast members welcome you onto the stage and will often come down and interact with you. We had a nice chat with one of the cast members and you could see they were loving every minute. It was an inclusive atmosphere and a beer was always on offer. All this led you to conclude, you were in for a good time. For us, this show is above the rest when it comes to inclusion, local pub feeling, fun factor and some great songs and performances.
It is what it is a ‘jukebox musical’, but unlike so many others there is a twist. There is no story just 9 men and us. A male choir singing and chatting about life, their lives, their troubles, their issues and supporting each other with them. A ‘band of brothers’ all meeting down their local pub. The 90 minutes is full of songs, you’ll know and will want to sing along to. Song classics such as ‘500 Miles’ and ‘Bring Tomorrow On’, A selection to please all tastes in music.
Each character has a back story and we get to know them and sympathise with what they are going through and on occasions we can relate to their struggles. Their highs and lows. Many are probably characters we’ve met before in our own lives.
The Choir of Man is just that a ‘choir’, with slick, tight harmonies. Well-rehearsed and effortless. Each actor takes his turn in the spotlight throughout the evening accompanied by perfect harmonies from the rest of the cast. One of the stand out songs for us was ‘Chandelier’ what an interpretation, accompanied by a 9 part harmony! Not an easy sing, but for them spotless and spectacular.
The show has too many highlights to pick any individual ones or give it justice. It is a ‘feel good’ show and has just brilliant talent on the stage. The solo singing and the harmonies make this a ‘Feel good show” The standing ovations at the end of the show speak volumes.
Choir of Man, shows what a local pub, should be like or ‘is’ depending on where you live. Support for one and another, having fun, living life to the full and enjoying each other’s company. The whole show revolves around a community, one that if we are not careful may be a thing of the past.
There are parts in the show where the narrator, introduces each character and discus’s men’s mental health issues, how they work together and how they are all there to support each other. The pub we would like to go to!
We enjoyed the show and the get together with our fellow audience members and we felt involved with the cast. We enjoyed some great songs with some beautiful harmonies and we seemed to reflect and maybe become more tolerant with those we come across when we return to our daily life. Plus we had a beer and some good fun! On your own or with a group friends, this is the show for you. A heart full or joy. Songs that will play in your head and a sense of belonging to ‘The choir of man’.
5 stars out of 5 for us.
Reviewed by Stphanie J. and Rob W.