Reviewed by Matt Forrest
Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“There’s a lot going on” is a phrase I occasionally use when out for a night at the theatre, but never have I used it to describe an interval. You see during the break at last night’s performance of, The Choir of Man, the stage of the Opera House, was turned into a makeshift bar, where audience members were invited up to have a drink and chat with fellow attendees. It was later that the cast joined the 50 or so audience members on stage and those still seated for a raucous rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”. This perfectly sums what this production is all about: community, connection and having a bloody good night out!
The premise for the show is a snapshot into the life of a local boozer, The Jungle, here, the bar’s resident poet Nimi (Oluwalonimi Owoyemi) introduces us to some of the Jungle’s patrons who have formed an all-male choir. These include resident bore, Aaron (Aaron Pottenger), no nonsense Barman, Niall (Niall Woodson) and the heart broken romantic, Sam (Sam Walter).
Also in the gang is Handyman and local fixer, Jack (Jack Skelton), practical joker Ben (Ben Mabberly), Gustav (Gustav Melbardis) a Latvian born piano playing maestro, the pub’s hard man, Levi (Levi Tyrell Johnson), and finally guitar strumming giant Rob (Rob Godfrey) referred to simply as the ‘Beast’.
At the start of the night, we are introduced to each of the guys and later a brief history of who they are and where they come from, all backed up by performances of some big pop classics.
Those expecting your more traditional musical theatre, best think again this is more a concert, backing up the vital message of community, stressing the importance of community hubs. With that said the musical numbers are delivered with a great deal of energy, and warm humour ensuring you get swept along for the ride in this joyous couple of hours.
Each of the cast get their moment in the spotlight, with highlights including a unique version of Paul Simon’s classic “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, with Jack Skelton tap shoes providing the percussion. A cheeky version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” from Rob Godfrey on guitar to a very game audience member. Whilst barman Niall leads the cast in a suitably silly version of “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”. Mightily impressive is the exceptional narration by Oluwalonimi Owoyemi’s as it’s entirely in prose and verse, and is an absolute treat.
You wish at times for a bit more storytelling, as some of the characters back stories seem undeveloped and could do with a bit more fleshing out, which may soften some of the more ‘laddish’ elements to the show. Despite the rambunctious nature of the show, it is equally impressive with the slower numbers, at this performance were treated to version of Sia’s “Chandelier”, with the boys accompanied by five local choirs, which was excellent and followed by the guys doing a spine-tingling rendition of the tradition folk song “The Parting Glass”.
Ultimately, The Choir of Man is a vibrant, feel-good celebration of friendship, music, and the spaces that bring people together. It invites you not just to watch, but to join in, sing along, raise a glass, and leave with a renewed appreciation for the simple joy of shared experience.
The Choir of Man is at the Manchester Opera House until 9th May tickets are available here.
Opening Night 