The Arts Theatre – until August 2025
Reviewed by Ava Clarkson
5*****
The Arts Theatre in central Soho is a great venue for a night out, especially a night out in a pub! The Choir of Man has come back to London’s West end and has made the Arts Theatre its permanent home. The theatre has been around since 1927 and has an eclectic history. Over the years it has produced experimental shows including Samuel Becketts “Waiting for Godot” which had its world premiere here back in 1955.
The Choir of Man was created in 2016 by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay over a pint in a beer garden. What has evolved from that pint is an energetic ball of feel good fun – a sell out sensation that has toured the world. Quite simply put – a group of men in a pub, talking, drinking and singing together. The show doesnt have a story as such – but promises a love letter which addresses music, human connections and the institution that is the great british pub. The play has a focus on mens mental health and has a charitable collaberation with CALM – the Campaign against living miserably.
You are invited to arrive at the theatre 1 hour before and enjoy a drink at the bar – what is unexpected is that the said bar is indeed the stage and becomes the central location of the show. As we near the start time, the cast members come onto the stage and mingle with the bar goers who are yet to take their seats, indeed there seems to be no urgency for them to leave.
Looking out from our circle seats, we have a great view. The cast are assembled in a line on the stage and the band are above them looking down, but as the night goes on band and cast move effortlessly around the building.
The choir is made up of 9 – Paul McArthur (Poet), Oliver Jacobson (Barman), George Knapper (Handyman), Benji Lord (Joker), David Booth (Romantic), Jason Brock (Romantic), Rob Godfrey (Beast), Ifan Gwilym-Jones (Maestro) and Toby Francis (Swing). Paul McArthur introduces us to the show and welcomes us to “The Jungle” – the name of the pub and the opening song.
During the 90 minute show, the audience are invited on stage, the cast walk around handing out free beer and catapult crisps into the audience. The songs are well-loved faviourites and everyone claps and sings along. The choir’s voices are outstanding. Accapella numbers are interspersed with full band numbers. A stand out song showing the full range of the choir’s reach was Sia’s Chandelier – no instruments but just beautiful voices haunting the audience. Songs ranged from Adele’s “Hello” through to “500 miles” by The Proclaimers – certainly a song for everyone could be found.
During the show we have meaningful monologues performed with passion by Paul McCarthur – his voice draws you into each story he is telling. Stories about each cast member, where their favourite pubs are and what home means to them. We feel like we are invited to know them individually and hear a little of their life off stage.
The performance is a toe-tapping extravaganza of fun and is over in the blink of an eye. At just 90 minutes with no interval, this really is a high energy show. You cannot help but smile and immerse yourself in the show – indeed you feel part of it, you are simply having a night out in your favourite bar.
I am sure this show will run and run and tour again – it is the perfect night out with friends and highly recommended. A 5 star night in the pub!