Choir of man - The boys are back in London

 For a while I’d say I was known amongst friends and future friends who were at the time strangers on Facebook, for my habit of visiting the jungle, the pub of which choir of man is based around, during its first outing un London’s west end.

(All photos are my own)

Homed again in the arts theatre, the choir of man is a 90 minute non stop emotional rollercoaster with some stunning vocals and surprisingly emotional poetry

It’s a show that’s really impacted me throughout the last almost year, so here’s an expansion upon the review I wrote after the first time seeing the show.

what a show!! You wouldn’t think a jukebox musical set in a pub could make you laugh and cry so much in 90ish minutes, but it sure delivers!

It’s absolutely an absolutely wild evening, I have long delighted in the fact this musical which could so easily have been stereotypical lad culture really touches on the importance of men having a space to talk about and express their emotions, with some real honest emotional depth that was completely unexpected my first time round, but even then there’s the ever present light and fun tone carried throughout, lots of banter, “in jokes” (especially with the character of  “the joker” played by the exceedingly entertaining Matt Thorpe) in the cast that you were let in on! However the musicianship! The singing! Absolutely stellar, I am amazed at the sheer performing talent in this cast, they truly are a choir, spot on harmonies, tonal balancing yet maintaining an individual style throughout! With a use of musical instruments that’s almost unprecedented with the range of vocal ability, Jack Blume has done an absolute wonder on these vocal arrangements, with extra credit to Hollie Cassar as musical director for implementing this. I feel it’s also worth mentioning here Levi Tyrell-Johnson, the hardman, who truly does have “the voice” his opening solo in You’re  the voice was absolutely perfect, and Matt Nalton, the pub bore, with his wonderfully rich vocal tone, his take on impossible dream has me stunned (and I very much enjoyed Tyler Orphe Baker in this role in the previous cast, comparing both would be utterly unfair, but it is completely fair to say they’re both incredible performers)

 

While discussing musicality I have to talk about the on stage band, as a musician myself something that made me love choir of man the first time around was the live, on stage band, who are involved with almost every second of the show from start to finish. Musicians in a pit often in my mind go under-appreciated for the work they do to make a show a success, so seeing these lads on stage really makes it feel so much more alive. It’s been wonderful to see the return of  nana on the drums, Jack on the guitar, and Caleb on the bass, all of whom were in the original cast and are fantastic musicians, and with the addition of Darius on the violin who has already merged well with the pre-established vibe the boys had.

If one so desires, you can purchase a beer served from the on stage bar before the show starts, and mingle with the cast, which is both unusual but perfect for this show, as what is a pub without its publicans. The immersive aspect continues within the show with a “singalong” 500 miles, led by the maestro Michael Baxter, who has such a wonderful presence and really is able to get the audience enthused and joining in, with the wonderful humour that’s always existed in this number within the show, and bringing his own energy in to the performance. There are also various moments where audience members are brought on stage, for specific moments in songs, my personal favourite being for teenage dream with “the beast” played by Owen Bolton (who is definitely a performer to watch and see where his career goes next!).

Further with last nights press you can very clearly tell this show has been polished, refined, and given some new takes by the new cast, I especially enjoyed Lemuel Knight’s performance as barman, I’ve been lucky enough to see him at west end live and on the reopening night at choir of man, and he is an absolute tour de force vocally. The outstanding tap dancing provided by Jordan Oliver as handyman is another hi light, the high energy he puts in for every show really carries through to wherever you are in the audience, he is a real credit to the choreography work done by Freddie Huddleston and Rachel Chapman, this run is already feeling electric and slick in its coordination and movement. It’s also been a real treat to see Matt Berevige back in the arts, alongside Jordan he was a swing for the first west end run and it’s always a joy to see swings move to the main cast, especially someone as talented as Matt, who’s version of Adele’s “hello” always leaves me emotional.

I’ve especially enjoyed the work the offstage team have put in to help make this run fresh, from Oli Townsend and Verity Sadler who have done a wonderful job with the sets, making the jungle feel even more like a local pub, and the way this now really extends in to the arts own bar area with a much more immersive feel, and Verity’s work on the costumes as well, keeping them recognisable to those of us who enjoyed the original west end cast but with a little refresh for this new cohort. Credit also to Richard Dinnen the lighting coordinator for the wonderful use of light, especially for “50 ways to leave your lover” which remains a visual favourite, and to Sten Severson and “Kieron on the sound” for keeping the show beautifully balanced on the audio side, I’m yet to find a seat in the arts that doesn’t have great sound! The whole team should be very proud of what they’ve created here, Andrew Kay, Nic Doodson, and Jack Blume, bravo to you all!

So in Summary, If you don’t mind a show where everyone’s drinking and loud, but there’s flawless vocals and a lot of fun, then this ones for you! Sit down for a pint in the jungle!