The Choir of Man: the world’s most entertaining pub

Posted on 27 March, 2019

The Choir of Man might sound traditional–it’s anything but. 

Have you always loved the idea of a local pub where everyone knows your name? Where the barkeep always has a sympathetic ear, the barflies are slouched in their favourite corner and someone’s always willing to fire up the piano for a sing-along?

Well, if you thought you’d have to have to journey to an English country town for this experience, think again. You just have to get down to Canberra Theatre Centre from 11-13 April.

might sound traditional– it’s anything but. A rollicking musical featuring modern anthems from Queen to Sia, Adele to Paul Simon, it’s been described as the ‘ultimate feel-good musical’.

Cast member Ali Higgins says the foot stamping soundtrack and pub setting opens up the idea of what musical theatre can be—as well as who the audience might be.

“It’s meant to be the best pub gig you’ve ever been to,” he explains. “It’s nine British lads, singing some songs, playing music and giving the audience some free beer. We have pop music, traditional folk music, Guns N Roses – there’s something for everyone really.

“We want everyone to get up, have a dance and a singalong. We try to appeal to people who might not necessarily go to the theatre.”

Considering this—and the fact that the show started from some YouTube videos (no really, check them out here)—it’s obvious that The Choir of Man isn’t your standard musical. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

For Ali, who trained in musical theatre in London but quickly learned that he “can’t dance very well”, the role of Pianoman suits him perfectly. He says that his favourite song to perform is ‘Some Nights’ by the band Fun (which is accompanied by a dance Ali says took the cast “about six years to learn”). If you’re curious as to what his audition song was, it was Jerry Lee Lewis’ ‘Great Balls of Fire’.

But these lads aren’t just belting out classic rock and pop tunes for the sake of it. Ali says that the all-male cast are only called stereotypes (think Casanova, Barman, Pub Bore, Beast) so that they can explore how men can be pigeonholed into these categories.

“The idea of all of the characters are archetypes—they’re meant to be people you recognise,” explains Ali.

“As the shows goes on you realise that they’re just labels—each of these men have a story, they have their own problems.”

“We address some issues about masculinity and men chatting about their feelings—that’s the heart of the piece, which people really appreciate. We give them a good time, but we also give them a little message too.”

the essentials

What: The Choir of Man
When: 11-13 April
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
Tickets: $59-69 + transaction fee
More information:

This is a sponsored editorial. For more information on sponsored editorials, click here.