WW Reviews

The Choir of Man follows a group of men singing together in a pub. With a working bar onstage and using pop songs with short poems mixed in, The Choir of Man has an unusual style for a universal experience.

The relaxed atmosphere, the breaking of the fourth wall and the actors mixing with the audience before the show; The Choir of Man reminded me of a ceilidh play. For those unaware, a ceilidh play takes the form of traditional storytelling with the actors mixing with the audience before and possibly even having a drink with them and the performance is followed or preceded by traditional Scottish social dancing, a ceilidh. Whilst in England Morris dancing isn’t ubiquitous the way that ceilidh dancing is in Scotland the use of traditional storytelling by using poetry; the drinking and the collective singing made it feel like an English version of the Scottish ceilidh play style.

Ceilidh plays are designed to draw people in as storytelling and performance were formerly accessible pieces of theatre going back thousands of years. Now we associate performance with being expensive but the relaxed nature of ceilidh plays allow for a wider section of society to access theatre and stories that might otherwise fail to reach them. Either because they believe the theatre to be too expensive for them or because they don’t view themselves as belonging in the theatre. People are also quick to judge the theatre as containing entertainment they wouldn’t enjoy, forgetting that theatre, like television, has many genres and styles many of which they may enjoy. However, unlike television, theatre is seen as expensive therefore people are less likely to take a chance on a play.

Ceilidh plays are made to be packed up and performed anywhere – theatres, pubs, town halls, gardens and maybe even houses. In travelling to smaller places and performing in venues where people gather, ceilidh plays bring the theatre to the people rather than asking the people to travel to the performance.

The Choir of Man in choosing this style perfectly reflects the mood of the piece itself. Talking about the loss of pubs and the isolation of people in modern society, this play speaks to everyone and perfectly encapsulates the modern age. Wrapping this message up in an English ceilidh play reflects that we are all in this isolation together and how important coming together physically to share stories is.

The set and costumes all continue to make the show feel relaxed and realistic as if a group of men happen to be in the same pub as you. The song choices were great with easily recognisable tunes being used which allowed the audience to feel part of the play. Some audience members were also brought up onto the stage which again is reflective of the inclusive nature and feeling of the show and is reminiscent of a ceilidh play.

I would highly recommend The Choir of Man to anyone who likes a good time and a sing along. The show reflects the mood of a large part of the nation and speaks to the loneliness and yearning for connection that the digital and information age has brought. This show sets out, for a short time, to help relieve the pains of loneliness and bring joy to all. For me, it succeeds in both missions and does so with such fun and happiness that it would be shameful to miss it.

Performance:
Friday 14th March 2025
15:00
Arts Theatre

Photography by: Mark Douet

Created by: Nic Doodson & Andrew Kay
Monologues Written by: Ben Norris
Directed by: Nic Doodson

Cast:

Band: