After more than four years of dominating the West End, The Choir of Man has officially stepped out on its first UK tour, and it has brought an absolute whirlwind of joy to Leicester. Currently playing at Curve Theatre, this incredible show is a total triumph. From the flawless songs to the electric atmosphere, the entire experience is a completely unique piece of theatre. It is so exceptionally well-executed that we spent the evening staring in disbelief at the sheer talent on display. It is, without a doubt, a joyous, life-affirming, all-around great night out.
Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, and directed by Doodson, the show completely bypasses traditional theatrical boundaries to take the audience on a lively night out at ‘The Jungle’ public house. This isn’t just a show you watch; it’s a totally immersive and interactive experience powered by an energetic cast of nine male performers.
The fun begins the moment you walk through the door. Audience members are actively invited up onto the stage before the show starts to grab a pint of beer straight from the working taps at the bar. The same happens in the interval. The hospitality doesn’t stop there, either. Throughout the musical, the beer continues to flow, pints are handed out to lucky theatre-goers, and packets of crisps are literally catapulted across the auditorium!
At its core, The Choir of Man doesn’t rely on a heavy, complex storyline. Instead, it focuses entirely on the power of community, the strength of male friendships, and the magic of bringing people together. Oluwalonimi Owoyemi, playing ‘the Poet’, beautifully narrates the evening, linking the musical numbers together while helping us get to know the distinct personality of each character.
And what a cast they are. These multi-talented musicians cover a massive range of hits from artists like Bon Jovi, Queen, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, Avicii, and Katy Perry. Every single song is delivered exceptionally well, backed by mind-blowing harmonies. They even use everyday pub props for musical effect, executing flawless percussion routines using nothing but pint glasses.
Every performer gets a chance to shine with their own speciality. Jack Skelton, playing ‘the Handyman’, completely steals the show during a performance of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” taking things to a whole new level by tap-dancing directly on top of the bar. Meanwhile, Joshua Lloyd plays ‘the Barman’—instantly winning over the local crowd when they find out he hails from nearby Hinckley—and proves to be an absolute vocal powerhouse, particularly during a roaring rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”
The show strikes a perfect balance between high-energy musicality and brilliant comedy. While most of the action takes place around the bar, one of the funniest highlights happens in the urinals, where the men burst into a hilarious, perfectly timed rendition of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge.”
The interactive nature of the show also means a few lucky audience members are plucked from their seats to join the cast on stage, getting their own five minutes of fame. On our night, the evening ended with a truly stunning surprise: We wont spoil it, but it was a beautiful, spine-tingling moment nobody saw coming.
If you love the warmth of a traditional community pub and a great singalong, you will absolutely love The Choir of Man. It’s a spectacular night out that you won’t want to miss.
The Choir of Man plays at Curve Theatre until Saturday, July 11. Tickets are on sale here.