The Choir of Man

The concept is as refreshingly simple as my pint. It’s an evening in an old fashioned pub. The sort where the food is a packet of pork scratchings or a packet of crisps, and be prepared to catch a packet of crisps, or a beer mat during the show! We watch and listen as the cast of nine (with four swings) and band of four, sing, tell stories and interact with much humour and fun, and just a little sadness and poignancy, to tell us about their lives and loves.  It’s a celebration of camaraderie, of friendship.

This new cast didn’t have a weak link. Each beautifully created character, sang and danced, and often played a musical instrument, to create the scene. I particularly enjoyed Barman Mark Irwin, and Poet Sam Ebenezer, as well as Robert Godfrey’s Beast and Ben Goffe’s Handyman. But everyone on that stage deserves full credit!

Talking of which, it’s not just the cast and musicians who occupy the stage…there are several times during the show when audience members get the chance to shine, so beware! But it’s done well, and it’s clear that the audience participants are very willing to enter the Jungle and join in the fun.