Choir of Man 2026
Choir of Man
Milton Keynes Theatre (UK Tour)
(Review Complete)
"A cracking night down the local pub"
26th May 2026
As you enter the auditorium there is a working pub on stage filled with members of the audience, enjoying a social pint and mingling with the cast , chatting and playing games like building a tower stack of beer mats
Once the crowd has been ushered to their seats the show begins. We are introduced to the cast by the character known as Poet (played at this performance by swing Lewis Dragisic). He is our narrator and all his dialogue is in rhyme. There is Barman, Beast, Joker, Maestro, Bore, Hard Man, Romantic and Handyman (another swing, Niall Woodson, a phenomenal tap dancer). Their nom de plumes are a loose device to allot each actor to a certain song, but most of the musical numbers burst out from nowhere with no real reason , but who cares.
The voices are stunning, harmonies are phenomenal. Musical arranger, Jack Blume is a genius breathing new life into songs from the likes of Queen, Paul Simon, George Benson, Adele and even Broadway. Solos and duets were backed by acapella vocals or an array of instruments. Most of the men played the piano (mainly Gustav Melbardis as Maestro a true virtuoso), guitar duties were in the magical hands of Rob Godfrey as Beast. Other instruments making an appearance were trumpet, accordion, ukulele and even a washboard.
The energy level was high with constant movement (staged by Freddie Huddleston) foot stomping, hand clapping, leaping on tables, chairs and the bar. Audience participation is compulsory. There is nowhere to hide as punters are routinely pulled onto stage to join in the games and dancing. Sweets, crisps and beer mats or thrown into the crowd with vigour. I have the mark of head making contact with a flying coaster.
In the second half after the interval drinkers have left the stage, Poet introduces to the actors by name and tells us a little of their real lives and where they come from. He informs us that he is from Hemel Hempstead and his mum is in the audience.
Out of the various songs performed, which included Hello, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, Impossible Dream, 500 Miles, Dance With My Father Again the standout was an acapella version of Chandelier by Sia which closed act one.
A wonderfully entertaining show ended with an amazing addition. As they tour the country, they link up with local choirs who come to the venue and rehearse with the MD before the show. We were then wowed by two choirs standing in the balcony joining with the cast in a truly outstanding arrangement of Chandelier.
Four stars for a fun night out, with superb musicianship and plenty of heart.
Special Thanks:
A big shoutout to the front of house staff who noticed before I did that after 3 hours stuck in stop start traffic on the hottest day of the year, my 93 year old mum was suffering from heatstroke. They ushered us to a quiet table in the restaurant, brought an ice pack and escorted us to our seats, checked on mum during the show and at the interval. Not all the stars are on the stage.
Reviewer: Paul St James
Photography: At Source
We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.