The Choir Of Man is full of fun and hugely entertaining. Lying somewhere between musical theatre and a cabaret show, it’s an eclectic mix of songs performed in a variety of styles - and judging by the audience reaction at The Alexandra on Tuesday night, the show hits just the right spot.

There’s no plot as such. Rather, it introduces us to nine very different characters who meet at their local pub, The Jungle, and who bond through a shared love of singing. Where other pubs have a football or a darts team, The Jungle has a choir, and each member of this group gets their turn to shine. They are types who are instantly recognisable - the jovial and personable landlord, the joker and prankster, the chap who fixes everything, the slightly square, sensible one, the storyteller - yet their differences are forgotten as they come together to interact and support each other as they rejoice in their love of music.

And what music it is! The hits come thick and fast - Queen, Springsteen, Paul Simon, Adele, Sia, Guns N’ Roses, Katy Perry - anybody who’s enjoyed music over the last few decades will be delighted by the seemingly random choice of songs. The infectious, toe-tapping rhythm of The Proclaimers’ 500 miles had everybody singing along, and a routine verging on slapstick, performed to the one-hit-wonder that is Rupert Holmes’ Piña Colada Song, was a true highlight.

The opening scene is original and quirky - as you take your seat, the stage is already full of performers and punters, the beer is flowing and the party has begun. This sets the somewhat off-beat tone for the spectacle that is to come. There’s plenty of audience participation - in fact it’s positively encouraged - and the actors feed off the reactions they get. There are elements of pantomime, we see tap dancing and juggling, energetic - verging on frenetic - dance routines and, throughout, a healthy dose of humour.

The Choir Of Man is a beautifully whimsical and unpredictable show. That it has developed something of a cult following and played to sell-out crowds around the world is no surprise. It’s billed as an evening of ‘feelgood, foot-stomping entertainment’, and if that’s what you’re looking for, then it will not disappoint.

Five stars

The Choir Of Man was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Tuesday 14 July at The Alexandra, Birmingham, where it shows until Saturday 18 July