The Choir of Man
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https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2024/contemporary-music/the-choir-of-man
04/01/2024 until 11/02/2024
"The Choir of Man" kicked off their captivating performance last night at the Melbourne Arts Centre, Playhouse Theatre. With an authentic British pub atmosphere, audience members were warmly invited on stage to enjoy a pint of beer, fostering a unique connection between the performers and the crowd. The stage design, created by Oli Townsend perfectly captured the essence of a cosy pub, complete with traditional wooden decor and charming picture frames adorning the walls. It set the stage for an immersive evening of music, dance, and heartfelt storytelling.
At the start, the cast looked like nine ordinary blokes. Yet within the first few minutes of this 90-minute show, they transformed into a fiery group of high-energy, multiskilled dancers, singers, and musicians. Each showcased their powerful singing abilities and when they sang together in nine-part harmonies, they created breathtaking and most exquisite a cappella music.
The show started with the soulful indie rock classic, “Save Tonight”, the group continued to present their versatile vocal range through Man of La Mancha’s famous “Impossible Dream”. As the show progressed the magic of this crew’s harmonic skills unraveled, and this became quite apparent when they sang Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s song “Under The Bridge”, both accompanied by the moving strumming of a guitar.
Still, when the Choir of Man performed Sia’s “Chandelier”, and this was pure voice, no instruments, the night became truly mind-blowing. Even though they were using their human voices, if you closed your eyes, you could hear distinct sounds of cello, violin, flute, organ, as well as voice in the theatre. As the show continued, their harmonic skills were on full display, song after song. Their rendition of “The Parting Glass”, also sung acapella was quite the culmination of the evening.
Whilst there were solemn, nostalgic moments much of the night was infused with laughter and joy. Audience members were often invited to the pub to have a drink, some of them were wooed and serenaded. For those of us who did not move from their seats, the cast was throwing packets of chips our way and engaging us to sing along and clap to well-known tunes. Other highlights included their comedic rendition of “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” with each of the men singing, dancing on the tables, and playing different instruments ranging from guitar, piano, trumpet, a cajón, and even a broom! Oh, and another highlight was the group’s interpretation of the song Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” with an outstanding added feature of a tap routine by Ethan Vijn, who was also known as “The Handyman”.
Each cast member was known not only by their real name but was tagged by a term that best described their unique qualities. For example, there was The Poet, played by Alistair Higgins. The Poet connected the musical numbers through storytelling about the much-loved pub, and how it has been a place of amusement, refuge, and camaraderie. He talked about each of the men, unveiled what home meant for them, and explained how they earned their nicknames, transforming them from just characters on stage to people with whom we became acquainted.
Matthew Campbell was The Maestro; Bradley Walwyn was The Romantic; Nathaniel Morrison was The Barman; Rob Godfrey was known as Beast; Aled Pennock was the Bore; Tom Brandon was the Hardman; Christian Tyler-Wood was The Joker; and Norton James as Swing. Importantly, there was a fabulous live band on stage, and it was set up on the second floor of the pub. It supported the show all the way and sometimes band members came down to the pub to have a drink and mingle with the rest of the cast.
The highly talented musicians were Angus Burchall on drums, Marcus Kurban on guitar, Kyla Matsuura-Miller on violin, and Craig Newman on bass. Freddie Huddleston’s choreography was so smooth, that one would think the whole evening was one big improvisation. Jack Blume’s vocal arrangements and orchestration transformed well-known songs in fresh and innovative ways. Richard Dinnen’s lighting gave that feeling of warmth on stage.
The Choir of Man was created by Nic Dodson and Andrew Kay. The show was one of the fastest and most enjoyable 90 minutes I have experienced in a long time. It conjured feelings of nostalgia, joy, and thoughts about… “what is home for me?!” Most of all, this is an uplifting expression of friendship, acceptance, love, hope, and human kindness. I am not surprised that since its inception at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the show has become extremely popular and gaining more and more momentum with each performance.
You can catch The Choir of Man at Melbourne Arts Centre, booking up to 11th of February 2024.
Reviewed by Irena Begelfor
photo credit: Danysha Harriott