In essence, The Choir Of Man is about nine ordinary blokes who sing rock & pop covers in their local pub choir, while also playing a variety of musical instruments and dancing - but that basic description falls well short of conveying just how fabulous an evening of entertainment the show actually provides.

Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, The Choir Of Man premiered at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and made its West End debut four years later, earning an Olivier Award nomination for best entertainment or comedy play.

Another run-of-the-mill jukebox musical this show most definitely is not. It’s a completely unique theatrical event. The relatively small Festival Theatre in Malvern is an ideal venue in which to enjoy the intimate experience and uninhibited party atmosphere which the show creates. Audience interaction is actively encouraged, and you might even find yourself pulled up on stage, offered a pint from the real working bar, or even serenaded! If you’re not that lucky, be prepared to sing along, clap, stomp your feet and be an integral part of creating a warm, party-like atmosphere.

Instead of a plot, the cast blend beautiful harmonies with energetic dance routines and spoken-word poetry in order to look beneath the surface of traditional pub culture. Issues such as the importance of being part of a community, friendship, vulnerability, and dealing with male mental health issues are all explored (the show’s primary charity partner is suicide-prevention organisation Calm - Campaign Against Living Miserably).

Each of the nine performers presents a different type of pub personality - the joker, the romantic, the hard man etc. Jack Skelton, as the handyman, deserves a special mention. His superb tap-dancing - performed across the bar and pub tables to Paul Simon’s 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover - delighted the audience and was fabulous to watch. Joshua Lloyd, as the barman, also stood out from the crowd, giving a powerful and memorable rendition of Queen’s Somebody To Love (and receiving plenty of appreciative and thunderous applause in return).

On the opening night, local choirs are invited to take part in the show. Last night there were 84 members from these choirs in the audience. They stood and sang Chandelier by Sia in a cappella style with the cast. The effect was simply beautiful and earned a standing ovation from the rest of the audience.  

The final number, Parting Glass, is a traditional Scottish and Irish song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It was allegedly the most popular parting song sung in Scotland before Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne. A haunting and bittersweet number, the song acts as a temporary brake on the show's rowdy pub energy, briefly switching the focus to deeper themes of human connection and friendship.

Packed with a fabulous combination of acoustic and folk covers of well-known songs from artists such as Guns N’ Roses, Adele and Katy Perry - to name but a few - and further enhanced by brilliant musicianship and excellent choreography, The Choir Of Man provides an irresistible feelgood vibe. 

If high-energy shows bursting with upbeat songs and pumped with positivity is your thing, then this is definitely a night at the theatre well worth experiencing.

Five stars

The Choir Of Man was reviewed by Sue Hull on Tuesday 21 July at Malvern Theatres, where it shows until Saturday 25 July. 

The production returns to the Midlands in the autumn, at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October