A rollicking night out with mates at the local pub, ‘The Jungle’, with singing, dancing – and beer!
★★★★★ Rollicking fun – slick, but full of heart
Some pubs have sports teams, this one has a choir. This is no ordinary stage either. It’s a pretty authentic pub – with a real, working beer tap. If you go into the tent early enough before the show starts, you are invited to get yourself a free beer from the stage, and the cast also hand out a few to lucky audience members during the show.
It’s quickly apparent these nine performers from the UK are talented guys, and one by one we are introduced to their forte and their character’s story, helped along by the carefully selected song choices of mainly well known classics, which guarantees clapping and sing-a-long opportunities with the audience. Whether it’s tap dancing; operatic singing of “Dream the impossible dream”; playing piano, guitar, ukelele, drum, trumpet; singing in sweet harmonies; or beer mug clinking percussion, it’s all done with exuberant energy.
The joyous fun on the stage literally overspills into the audience as from time to time they invite a few people to join them more intimately at their local pub. Plus they get in amongst the crowd to rev up some choruses, creating the vibe that you are actually part of their pub, and not just a by-stander.
This musical theatre treat would feel completely at home at the Adelaide Festival Theatre, with its slick choreography and big spirited numbers, but it’s homely and full of heart at the same time. Not just a playlist of songs, the narrator ties things together with poetic narrative in between. There are underlying messages relating to mental health, encouraging men in particular to not sit with woes alone, to share their feelings, and also to really listen to your friends. This is an ode to the good old pubs, (before mobile phones took over real conversations and brioche buns became hip), with a hope that they be cherished and live on as a place for the community to meet; share a laugh and a drink; have a chat; and have a sing and a dance together.
Songs are performed in different ways – acapella, acoustic, with a backing track and sometimes accompanied by musical instruments. Rather than just doing covers, each song is really made their own, with unique versions of ‘’Hello’’ by Adele, ‘’Chandelier’” Sia, “Somebody to Love” Queen, ‘’I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’’ Proclaimers. They’re all crowd pleasers, including a huge sing-a-long rendition of the quintessential Aussie favourite, John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice’’.
It’s not hard to see why this show won “Adelaide Pick of the Fringe’’ last year and has been a sellout at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 & 2018. Unoffensive and family friendly (they do have matinees on some Sundays and the Monday public holiday) – there’s no swearing and only one slight sexual overtone to ‘’making love at midnight’’ during “Pina Colada”. It will only suit older kids though. Perfect for a date night or outing with friends, The Choir of Man will have you leaving with a smile on your face just like any great night out at the pub.
CLICK HERE for info & ticket bookings
What: The Choir of Man | Adelaide Fringe Review
When: On most nights (except some Mondays) at 8.10pm with some matinees at 2pm
Where: The Moa at Gluttony (it’s right near the back of Gluttony on your left) | Cnr East Tce & Rundle Rd, Adelaide
Who: Suits date night, friends’ night out or families with older kids
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: All photos by Play & Go Adelaide
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