I finally made it to see The Choir of Man last week. I’ve been hearing good things about this show for ages, and with it leaving the West End in January 2026 (don’t worry, UK tour coming soon), I figured it was about time I got myself over to the Arts Theatre to find out what all the fuss is about.

The first thing you notice when you arrive is the pub. There’s an actual pub on the stage. Not just a set that looks like a pub – a set that has a working bar! Before the show even begins, the audience is welcome to come up to the bar to grab a pint and have a chat with some of the cast, who are already on stage hanging out as the locals of ‘The Jungle’. My plus one and I were not gonna miss that chance, and were soon on that stage, pint in hand. The drink selection isn’t up to much – beer with alcohol or beer without alcohol – but there’s something so cool about standing on a West End stage, pint in hand, chatting to the cast before the show starts. It’s worth getting there early, though – there was a bit of a queue for that pre-show pint.

Once we took our seats, drinks in hand, I had a good idea, given the name of the pub (The Jungle), what the first song would be. I was bang on – we were welcomed with a cracking Guns N’ Roses classic to kick things off. From there, the mood was set. Our host Paul, The Poet a charming Scotsman, played by Paul McArthur is our guide as he introduces us to the rest of the pub regulars. He is from Stirling and has that beautiful soft Scottish burr that just makes you want to listen to him all day. There is something calm and grounded about him – he just exudes warmth and confidence as he welcomes us into his world.

From the start, it’s clear this isn’t your average bunch of blokes in a pub. The Choir of Man is a haven of positive masculinity – a joyful celebration of friendship, community, and belonging. It doesn’t have a traditional storyline, but it doesn’t need one. The show is all about connection and belonging. What it lacks in plot, it makes up for in authenticity and heart.

There are some brilliant moments. At several points in the show, audience members are brought up onto the stage to be part of a scene. At one point, Cal T King (aka “Beast”) brought a woman from the audience on stage and serenaded her with a stunning acoustic version of ‘Teenage Dream’. She looked genuinely moved, and it was a lovely intimate moment – even if it does get performed every night to a different person! Then there’s dancer Ben Goffe – an absolute phenomenon of a tap dancer. His energy was amazing as he danced his way around the pub, leaping skilfully from the bar onto a table, tapping his heart out in a number set to Paul Simon’s ‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’. He was unbelievable, with the rest of the lads singing their hearts out and cheering him on like proud mates at the local.

What I loved most was how the show balances humour with sincerity. It’s funny, silly, and unpretentious. One moment, they’re cracking jokes about relationships and breakups (including a touching nod to one of the guys dealing with a breakup with his boyfriend, met with warmth and support), and the next they’re pouring their souls into a stunning a cappella harmony. It’s men being open, kind, and playful – showing that strength and vulnerability can and should co-exist.

Alex Mallalieu, “the Frenchman,” was hilarious during ‘500 Miles’, performing it in what he called “the French way” before getting increasingly annoyed at the rest of the lads – and the audience – who joined in and sped it up. The whole thing was très drôle. There’s loads of audience interaction, plenty of laughs, and a few moments that catch you off guard with their emotional depth.

Paul’s poetic tribute to the great British pub was especially moving. It had that classic, ad-like quality – something you could imagine in a Guinness campaign or something – celebrating friendship, laughter, and belonging. Then they gathered round for a stunning a cappella rendition of Sia’s ‘Chandelier’, with some truly beautiful harmonies. I admit, my eyes got wet.

It’s not all moving and emotional though – there’s a particularly messy, hilarious scene that I’ll leave unspoiled, but let’s just say the cast are pretty … ‘relieved’ by the end of it.

The show is full of joy and life. There are crisps being thrown out, the audience are encouraged to sing along – I didn’t need telling twice – and moments that make you laugh, grin, and even tear up. The chemistry between the cast is incredible – you can feel that these men genuinely like each other. It’s infectious. You will leave with a warm, fuzzy feeling that only comes from having experienced something truly joyful.

If you’re looking for a complex storyline or big dramatic twists, this isn’t the show for you. But if you want 90 minutes of pure heart, joy, laughter, and belonging, The Choir of Man is one of the most uplifting nights you’ll find in the West End.

So gather your mates, get there early for a pint, and raise your glass to love, friendship, belonging, and the ever-enduring power of a good singalong.

The Choir of Man runs at Arts Theatre until 4 January 2026. UK tour booking until 5 December 2026.

Book tickets now at thechoirofman.com

Words by Nick Barr

Photos by Mark Douet