Oliver’s Score: 4 / 5 stars
“Choir of Man” is a love letter to the classic, idealism of the pub environment, where everyone knows your name and there’s always a banging tune ready to be sung at any moment. Where drinks are cheap and flow like water. The show transports you for an hour into the world of traditional British pub called The Jungle, with its friendly bartender and it’s six merry patrons, all dedicated to bringing the audience along for a ride of classic covers of music, and signature banter.
Possibly the greatest attribute for this show is the stage design. The Studio Stage of the Opera House has been almost magically transformed into a pub of old, with it’s yellow stained glass behind the bar, wooden paneling and shelves to be seen, as well as the handled pint glasses hanging precariously off their hooks. The attention to detail even goes so far to have all the taps on the bar working so that beer is poured throughout the performance.
The musical and dance work of all the performers are amazing. The singing is pitch perfect with some of the best songs centred around their beautiful choral harmonisation. The choreography has the boys jumping and dancing all over the stage, from the top of the bar, and into the audience, they move seamlessly without letting the energy drop once. Their stage presence and music covers will have the whole audience clapping and tapping their feet along to every song from beginning to end.
There is always an issue with doing a “Jukebox Musical”, that the covers of famous songs may often fall flat or seem lame due to the automatic comparison to the original versions. “Choir of Man” manages to get around this beautifully through clever vocal arrangements, and live instrumental interludes by the performers on stage. This is like one of the best pub open nights you could imagine.
The whole show is connected by a single monologue that threads all the characters and songs together, providing the backdrop into the pure love that can be had for these pubs that slowly are growing fewer and fewer. And while it can be said that the first half of the performance had some clever and hilarious banter that seemed to be missing from the second half, the audience seems still enraptured with the spectacle and feeling that was being presented. As a cabaret, Choir of Man does include moments of audience participation, bring people up on the stage to often be the focus of serenades and gags. So one should be prepared for this fact and remember this if you decide to sit in there front row.
“Choir of Man” is an homage to an ideal that rests within the imagination of pub patrons around the world. A classic pub, with cheap drinks, friendly company, and the occasional sticky floor. It can be argued that this ideal overlooks a lot of the reality that exists within every pub and establishment. But the show does not feel that it is necessary to focus on those facts of life. It is a show designed around the escape and sanctuary that is thought to be offered by a humble local pub. And though the humour and themes of performance, much like the pub set, more emblematic of British sensibilities, this sentiment is almost universal. “Choir of Man” is a brilliant toe tapping show which will have one feeling nostalgic for a classic pint of bitter or lager, while you dance and sing along with the amazingly talented cast.
Oliver Morassut, Theatre Now
The Choir Of Man
The feel-good sing-along hit returns to Sydney Opera House for an encore season
6 Nov – 1 Dec 2019
Wed, Thu, Fri 7pm
Sat 4pm & 8:15pm
Sun 3pm & 7pm
Venue: SOH: Studio Theatre
Theatre Company: Presented by Sydney Opera House in association with Andrew Kay & Nic Doodson
Duration: Aprox 80 minutes (no interval)
Time Out calls it “somewhere in between pub gig, cabaret, choral performance and scrappy musical”. Arts Review reckons it is “fresh, fun and fantastic”. In Daily says it is “a celebration of the local places where people come together to belong.”
As for us, we say it’s a rollicking good time, jam packed with all your favourite pub classics, rock ballads and pop hits from Avicii to Adele, Sia to Queen, Guns ‘n’ Roses and more! Get amongst the action as this skilful squad belt out all the songs you love.
Nine mates will welcome you to their local pub, The Jungle: a beautifully hospitable haunt where brioche buns are out, banter and ballads are in, and the community can gather over a few brewskis and leave their troubles behind. Combining live music, high energy dance and a few surprises, with everything from piña coladas to live pint percussion!
The Choir of Man is back to remind you everything you love about an old-fashioned pub, complete with a working beer tap! From the faded décor to the loveable characters, the stage is set for a show that will blast through the ceiling and make you want to “go and watch it again and again” (Australian Stage).
Ticket Prices
From $59 + booking fee
