The Choir Of Man
Milton Keynes Theatre
26th May 2026
From the moment audiences step into Milton Keynes Theatre for ‘The Choir of Man’, they are welcomed not into a traditional theatre experience, but into a joyous celebration of community, friendship and music. This touring production of the hit West End show arrives with all the warmth and exuberance that has made the show such an international success, and transforms the MK auditorium into “The Jungle” pub. Created by Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson, the show first burst onto the scene at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 before quickly developing wide acclaim, going on to enjoy successful runs in the West End, performances aboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships and international tours stretching as far as Australia and the United States.
What began as a relatively simple concept (nine men in a pub singing popular songs) has evolved into one of the most crowd-pleasing theatrical events currently in recent years. A far cry from a conventional book musical, ‘The Choir Of Man’s popularity lies in its ability to celebrate ordinary people and the communities built around pubs, music and shared experiences, along with deeper themes of masculinity (and its respective vulnerability), and male mental health. The pub is the shared space that unites the men (among them The Romantic, The Joke, The Hard Man and The Beast) as they face the universal obstacles of life, told through nuanced rhythmical narration from The Poet, and effective song selection. Through the spoken-word passages and the expertly-crafted musical performances, we gradually learn about their friendships, insecurities and shared need for connection.
By focusing on its sense of camaraderie and shared bonds, ‘The Choir Of Man’ avoids the pitfall of being little more than an entertaining concert of cover versions, and instead transcends into a dynamic and affecting piece of theatre. The men are the beating heart of the show, and even without a traditional script or narrative, we still feel like we get to know them. There is a beautiful simplicity to the piece, along with the sense of banter which is infectious. This spills out into the audience (literally, as the performers come down into the aisles numerous times to engage), and the atmosphere crackles with vibrancy and spirit.
The song choices span genres and generations, blending classic rock anthems, folk standards and modern pop hits. More emotive tracks such as “Hello, “Chandelier” and “The Parting Glass” sit comfortably alongside high-energy pub favourites and create a nice variety, each reimagined through rich vocal harmonies and inventive arrangements. The cast are not only exceptional singers but talented multi-instrumentalists, moving between piano, guitar, drums and accordion with ease.
For those familiar with the West End production at the Arts Theatre, this touring version retains the same heart and energy while naturally adapting to larger regional venues. The intimacy of the London production (aided by the Arts Theatre’s compact auditorium) is inevitably different on tour, yet the company works hard to maintain audience interaction and a sense of intimacy. The immersive pre-show atmosphere remains firmly intact, with audience participation encouraged throughout (avoid seats near the end of aisles if this isn’t your thing! The bigger scale of the touring production actually allows the musical arrangements and choreography to feel even more expansive, while the larger stage gives the performers greater freedom to showcase the show’s dynamic physicality. Structurally, the only real change is the addition of an interval, but this isn’t to the show’s detriment.
Oli Townsend’s pub set design is wonderfully detailed, instantly evoking the lived-in comfort of a beloved local boozer complete with beer pumps, battered furniture and strings of warm lighting. Richard Dinnen’s lighting design shifts effortlessly between intimate storytelling and full concert spectacle, while Freddie Huddleston’s choreography injects the show with boundless momentum, particularly impressive when much of it has been tightly plotted to not look like traditional dance moves and more like lads larking about in a pub, but there still isn’t a movement out of place.
A true ensemble effort, no individual performer can be singled out from this impressive group of men. Each has a distinct personality and standout moment, but they blend as one and have genuine chemistry, feeling like a real group of lifelong mates. The spoken-word narration is delivered with warmth and sincerity, and the vocals are outstanding, effortlessly switching from delicate close harmonies to thunderous full-ensemble numbers, both of which work brilliantly.
‘The Choir of Man’ is exactly the kind of theatrical experience audiences need right now: uplifting and unapologetically joyful with some heartwarming undertones beneath its laddish surface. It doesn’t offer intricate storytelling or groundbreaking dramatic complexity, but it doesn’t pretend to, and not everything needs to. In a world that can often feel increasingly disconnected, ‘The Choir of Man’ reminds us of the simple power of gathering together, raising a glass and singing at the top of our lungs. Leave your worries at the door and join the party, you will struggle to leave without a smile on your face.
‘The Choir Of Man’ runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 30th May 2026, before continuing on its UK tour.
Performance runtime 2 hours 5 minutes including interval
Details at:
https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/whats-on
https://www.thechoirofmanukietour.com
