By Jennifer Mustoe
Hailing from Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017, The Choir of Man sings its way on London‘s West End at The Arts Theatre and I cannot believe I stumbled onto such an amazingly satisfying, unusual, and remarkable production. Choir of Man‘s “set”, created by Scenic Designer Oli Townsend, is a pub named The Jungle with real tap beer and mixers for drinks. Is this a set or a place to go for a drink? It’s both. As we walked in, people sat onstage, sipping drinks and talking and laughing with one another, just like they would in a real pub. But this is a show, right? Townsend has created such authenticity and the effect is so companionable, it enticed those of us in the audience. As we waited for the show to start, we all chatted to one another like old pals. Actors mingled with the audience for selfies, creating even more fellowship between players and those watching. (And at one point, actors grabbed cups of beer and gave them to audience members. My friend was one such recipient and talked about this aspect of the show over and over.)
The Poet (Ben Norris), also the monologues writer, introduces each character in this troupe of men, and the stories told of them are poignant, funny, sometimes a little sad, and always authentic. We know and love these men, many of us are these men. They are the Everyman, so their tales immediately resonate. Their stories are valuable to us in the audience, but they also are stand alone tributes, and I was impressed and brought to tears often. But I laughed, and clapped, and sang through most of the show. The crowd, including my friend and I, to coin a phrase, went wild.
The Choir of Man is a dance heavy, singing heavy show. There is an intensely real interaction between these blokes and if you told me they aren’t all good friends in real life, I would call you a liar. Michael Baxter (The Maestro), Matt Beveridge (The Romantic), Owen Bolton (The Beast), Matt Thorpe (The Joker), Levi Tyrell Johnson (The Hard Man), Lemuel Knights (The Barman), Matt Nalton (The Pub Bore), Jordan Oliver (The Handyman), Swings Sam Ebenezer, Mark Irwin, Lewis Koch, and Gavin Ryan, and Norris and make up this loving, satirical, honest, talented choir.
The singing in The Choir of Man, naturally leads and defines the show. Not a pitch off key, and timing is perfect. Musical Director Hollie Cassar and Musical Supervisor Jack Blume have created a symphony of voices–a thrilling display of talent. Each player is also just that–each man’s musical contribution isn’t just his beautiful voice. Each actor plays at least one instrument, and several play several. Loads. Of. Talent.
And, these men dance. Can they dance! Oliver gives us a quirky, startling tap number to “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” for instance. Freddie Huddleston (Movement Director, Choreographer, and Resident Director) and Rachel Chapman (Assistant Choreographer and Movement Director) have thrown so many dancing styles and so much pure movement onto the stage, but surprisingly we don’t get distracted or overwhelmed by it. I know I just wanted to get up onstage and dance with them. The vitality and joy shared on that stage is infectious.
Accompanying the singers is a fantastic band: Emmanuel Nana Kwasi Bonsu (drums), Jack Hartigan (guitar), Darius Luke Thompson (violin), and Caleb Wilson (bass), who take these singers, and this show, to amazing heights of sound, vibrations, beauty, and memorable talent.
It is clear that The Choir of Man is a labor of love and bravo to the production team who bring us this lovely and loveable show. Andrew Kay (Creator/Producer), Nic Doodson (Creator, Director, Producer), Sten Severson (Sound Designer), Verity Sadler (Costumes/Associate Scenic Designer), Richard Dinnen (Sound Designer), and Debbie O’Brian (Casting Director) have given us a gift.
Life in the UK is different than where I’ve lived (California and Utah in the USA) and The Choir of Man is a snippet of British life. Are there bars and hangouts elsewhere? Of course. But pub life seems far more territory centric to Europe, that had full on cities (and pubs) before the US ever became anything. As I watched The Choir of Man, I felt an affinity to this story though I have no basis of its reality in my life. Except for maybe watching Cheers, and realizing there are some watering holes, it’s not the same. Driving around London and its sprawl, one can count pub after pub after pub, and inside its doors there are groups of fellas, friends, even family that meet often and share their lives. I felt jealous that I can’t really live this story.
There are no women actors in The Choir of Man, which seems obvious. However, during a few of the numbers, women are pulled onto the stage and sung to by one of the crooners. (Pick me! I wanted to shout.) One such tête-à-tête is during “Escape” (the piña colada song) and the woman pulled from the audience, given a piña colada, took a few sips and after the song was over enthused, “And it’s real!” (Another sip as we all laughed.) It didn’t seem odd to me that there were no women because the pub life in this musical is strictly telling men’s stories, and this theme has a place in the world of stage productions. Each character is so well-defined, so believable. We didn’t need to see the women in their lives because we were told about them. They were the invisible characters who still contributed to the full story.
About the venue, The Arts Theatre–it is small, intimate, and looks and feels like someone’s comfortable front room. While there are theater seats, I still felt like I was part of it all and not just an onlooker.
It’s taken me a while to write this review. I needed to absorb how terrific and unusual this production is. If I have no other reason to get back on a plane and fly oh so long across the pond, seeing The Choir of Man would be on my Top Three Reasons of Why I Must Go Back to London list. I want to see this musical again and again because this show is so organic to its audience. Each show is different in subtle and often not too subtle ways.
While in London, go see The Choir of Man. There is no interval (intermission) and I’d recommend audiences of age 12+ or younger if they’re musical fans. The show is fast, fun, hugely entertaining, and wildly inspirational. It’s a choir, it’s men, but really, it’s all of us, working through this jungle of life. It is filled vibrant beauty, wild hilarity, mad talent, and a heartrending sincerity that will appeal to all.
Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy Barnes, Andy Barnes, and AK Theatricals present The Choir of Man.
The Arts Theatre West End, 6 Great Newport St, London, United Kingdom
Tickets: £22.50 – £97.50 subject to performance availability and booking fee (there are many ways to buy tickets using different apps, as well as kiosks that sell tickets, or at the door) Dark Mondays. Check site for dates and times as they vary.
Contact
The Choir of Man promo reel
Choir of Man Facebook Page
Production photographs by The Other Richard.
0 Comments