The Choir of Man

Enjoying a night down at the pub with friends and having a good old sing song used to be the norm. But trends change and so it was great to have a blast back into the past via a bit of special theatre. The Choir of Man is basically a pub musical.

Scenic designer Oli Townsend has created a cosy traditional pub which is open to the audience, to encourage banter between the punters. And there’s no shortage of it at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, where the locals are keen to have some on stage interaction.

Originally performed as an Edinburgh Fringe show in 2017, the show has wowed in the West End and abroad and is currently on a tour of the UK.

Centred around The Jungle pub, nine regulars entertain with stories, songs and even a bit of tap dancing. Nimi Owoyemi is the main man. Dubbed the poet and with a winning smile, he entertains with lots of chat about how pubs bring people together.

It’s geared up to engage the audience and bring out the emotions and lucky hand-picked theatre goers are invited onto the stage to have a pint and join in the fun. With free beer flowing, everyone is up for a good night.

Nimi is joined by Rob Godfrey (The Beast), Joshua Lloyd (Barman), Ben Mabberley (Joker), Gustav Melbardis (Maestro), Aaron Pottenger (Bore), Jack Skelton (Handyman), Levi Tyrell Johnson (Hard Man) and Sam Walter (Romantic) and all have cracking voices.

Belting out beauties including “500 Miles”, “Somebody to Love”, “You’re The Voice” and “Teenage Dream” has the audience singing and clapping along and there’s a friendly fun vibe about the musical.

Plenty of passion and energy is put into the night and director Nic Doodson has made sure the two hour spectacular is upbeat all the way.

A nice wee extra comes near the end when three Scottish choirs are invited to join in a specially chosen song with the cast and the harmonies created are hauntingly beautiful.

With happy smiles, uplifting stories, songs and dancing, it’s a real tonic and a masterpiece of simplicity – cheers!

The Choir of Man is at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow until 2^nd May. Future tours dates include Manchester Opera House from 5^th to 9^th May, Sunderland Empire from 12^th to 16^th May, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff from 19^th to 23^rd May, Milton Keynes Theatre from 26^th to 30^th May, Theatre Royal, Nottingham from 9^th to 13^th June, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from 16^th to 20^th June, The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford from 23^rd to 27^th June, Grand Opera House, York from 30^th June to 4^th July, Leicester Curve from 7^th to 11^th July, The Alexandra, Birmingham from 14^th to 18^th July, Malvern Theatres from 21^st to 25^th July, Marlowe Theatre from 28^th July to 1^st August.

The show then moves to the Mercury Theatre, Colchester from 4^th to 8^th August, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham from 11^th to 15^th August, Storyhouse, Chester from 18^th to 22^nd August, Richmond Theatre from 25^th to 29^th August, Waterside Theatre from 1^st to 5^th September, Hall for Cornwall, Truro from 8^th to 12^th September, Cliffs Pavilion from 15^th to 19^th September, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford from 22^nd to 26^th September, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon from 29^th September to 3^rd October, Royal and Derngate, Northampton from 6^th to 10^th October and Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton from 20^th to 24^th October before winding up the tour at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from 1^st to 5^th December 2026.

For more information on The Choir of Man and ticket availability, please visit: www.atgtickets.com and www.thechoirofmanukietour.com.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.

Photograph by Mark Senior