Review by Mark
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
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| Photo by Mark Senior. |
What makes this show really work is the atmosphere it creates. Right from the moment you enter the auditorium, you are in The Jungle. An on-stage bar serving drinks gives audience members the chance to mingle together and with the cast pre-show and again at the interval, which has been added for this tour. The cast mingle on the stage, there's a chance to capture photos and share the moment. The vibes are so strong in a sing-along rendition of Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On A Prayer', which brings in the second act.
Choir of Man, at its core, is a show about community and the people who make one. Each character here is richly given their own individuality. Central to this is the Poet, played by Oluwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi, who delivers beautifully emotive moments between the musical numbers. These deeply profound monologues are so thoughtfully told by Nimi that you feel every word he says. There's a wonderful moment where he introduces each actor and tells us, as the audience, a little truth about their lives. This furthers the meaningful connection you feel with the show.
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| Photo by Mark Senior |
The monologues are surrounded by a brilliant mix of songs. The actor-musician company bring these songs to life in such an exciting and thrilling way. There's a beautiful balance between the big and bolder ensemble numbers like Fun's 'Some Nights' (which features some strong choreography by Freddie Huddleston) and softer numbers like Luther Vandross's 'Dance With My Father Again'. The blend of styles fits so well into the setting. This is a show that has you singing and clapping along, whilst then making you cry with its affecting performances.
The pub is celebrated here, but this isn't just about a drink or a round of drinks. This is about the people you share those drinks with and the moments they create. In an ever-divided and financially tight world we live in, this show is a timely reminder that what we have most is those people around us. The show celebrates men's mental health, a topic that is a stark reminder that 125 people die by suicide every week in the UK, and 75% of those suicides are male.
The cast are, to put it simply, phenomenal. Bringing emotion and feeling, powerful vocals and boundless energy to their characters. There is a sense of great banter going on the whole time that you're not sure where the script begins or how much is happening there in the moment. True, also of how the roles are simply the actors themselves and not the characters they are playing. This show blends both reality and the fictional side. It's hard to know where the line blurs.
Rob Godfrey (Beast), Joshua Lloyd (Barman), Ben Mabberley (Joker), Gustav Melbardis (Maestro), Oluwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi (The Poet), Aaron Pottenger (Bore), Jack Skelton (Handyman), Levi Tyrell Johnson (Hard Man) and Sam Walter (Romantic) all bring such talent to the roles and the show. The vocals are pitch perfect, the musicianship is skillful and the movement, particularly Jack Skelton's outstanding tap dancing, is vibrant.
Another truly special thing that The Choir of Man are doing on this UK tour is a project called the Jungle Choir Community Project. This sees the show partner up with local choirs in the town and city they are performing in, offering the chance for the choir to come and be part of the show for the first night. In Nottingham, 5 separate choirs (The Collaboration Choir, Pipes Nottingham, Beeston Voices Community Choir, Totally Vocally and Liberty Singers), all from the local area, with a total of over 220 voices, joined in for a spellbinding rendition of Sia's 'Chandelier' alongside the cast. It is really worth booking the first night of any of the tour venues to experience such a powerful moment.
After all the thrill and fun that come before it, the show ends with a rendition of the folk song 'The Parting Glass'. This is sung a capella and without microphones. It's another stunning moment that resonates and further showcases the performers' skill. This wraps up what is a truly magnificent night of theatre. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to share in this with your friends and your family. A show with a powerful message delivered with real feeling. You can't leave without having had the best time. A dazzling success.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Choir of Man plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal until Saturday 13th June. For tickets visit https://www.trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-choir-of-man-zxz4
The tour continues with dates booking until 5th December 2026. For full tour venues and booking information visit https://www.thechoirofmanukietour.com/
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| Photo by Mark Senior |
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