‘Feel good, fun and free!’
The concept is simple, a group of men who are regulars at their local pub ‘The Jungle’ join in song. Each character represents the well-loved pub locals we all recognise from the heart broken romantic to the practical joker.
The show celebrates hubs of community and togetherness, cultivating a unique one for the night through inviting audience members on stage to share in a pint or join in with a tune. If you like audience participation, this is the show for you, the usual rules of theatre do not apply here.
It doesn’t have a story as such but gently explores the themes of the importance of places to gather, something that I felt could be explored in greater depth. Instead, it is a collection of energetic and feel good sing-a-long songs offering something different to the usual musical theatre experience.
Each character takes in turns to perform, with songs ranging from emotional ballads to cheeky pop hits with comedic moments threaded throughout. For me, the highlight was Jack Skelton’s tap dancing, his shoes becoming the through beat of the Paul Simon song ‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.’ It was clear the audience were enjoying themselves as there were numerous ruptures of applause rippled throughout the evening.
Not only were the group full of infectious energy but they were also strong vocally which was showcased through their acapella rendition of Sia’s ‘Chandelier,’ a crowd favourite that we had the privilege of watching not once but twice.
The second performance of this song was particularly special as a couple of local Glasgow choirs joined to sing with them, turning a large proportion of the audience into the choir. This was a particular joy to experience and another creative way to celebrate gathering in community.
If you are looking for something with a through narrative and complex story beats, then this isn’t the show for you, but if you are willing to lean into the cheese and up for a sing-a-long then you are guaranteed to leave the theatre with a big smile on your face. The show is best served with a pint or two.
The Choir of Man plays at the Glasgow King’s Theatre from 28th April to the 2nd May before continuing it’s tour around the UK. Tickets can be purchased here.