Full casting announced for West End return of THE CHOIR OF MAN

Full casting has been announced for the Olivier-nominated international stage sensation The Choir of Man as it returns to the West End, opening at the Arts Theatre on 1 October.

The company will feature a highly skilled mixture of actors, musicians, and instrumentalists, some of whom have previously performed in the show in productions across the world, West End stars, and up and coming talents making their professional debuts in the show.

An uplifting celebration of community and friendship with something for everyone… including free beer! Enjoy 90 minutes of feel-good, foot-stomping entertainment unlike anything else in the West End.

Brimming with hits from artists such as Queen, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry to name but a few. A wildly talented group of incredible instrumentalists, world-class wordsmiths, and sensational singers; this cast of nine (extra)ordinary guys serve it all…live! 

The West End company will feature Michael Baxter (Les Misérables, 25th Anniversary tour) as The Maestro, Ben Norris (writer and original cast of The Choir of Man) as The Poet, Levi Tyrell-Johnson (professional debut), as The Hardman, Owen Bolton (professional debut) as The Beast, Jordan Oliver (The Choir of Man West End, Netherlands, Australia and Korea) as The Handyman, Lemuel Knights (finalist in The Voice UK, BBC) as The Barman, Matt Beveridge (The Choir of Man West End, Australia, Netherlands) as The Romantic, Matt Nalton (Jersey Boys, West End) as The Pub Bore, and Matt Thorpe (We Will Rock You, West End) as The Joker.

Completing the company are Mark Irwin (The Choir of Man West End, Korea, Australia), Sam Ebenezer (The Mousetrap, West End), Gavin Ryan (West Side Story, Bord Gais Dublin) and Lucas Koch (Million Dollar Quartet, Barn Theatre).

Ben Norris – who wrote the monologues for The Choir of Man and originated the role of The Poet said: “I'm delighted that The Choir of Man is returning to the West End, and I'm delighted to be returning with it! Watching this show grow from the charmingly ramshackle Edinburgh Fringe gamble it started life as 5 years ago, into the Olivier-nominated cult hit it has become has been one of the greatest privileges and surprises of my career so far, and one of the greatest joys.

“The show is so unapologetically feel-good that whatever kind of mood you arrive in at the theatre, it's impossible not to leave with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. And that goes for the cast as well as the audience! 

“Whether we’re conscious of it or not, when we meet a friend in the pub for a pint, it’s often simply the company we’re after. This is especially true, I think, for men. Although things are starting to shift, we still find it much harder to open up and to ask for help. We're still taking our own lives at a far higher rate. The lockdowns and the helplessness of the pandemic hugely exacerbated this, and the imminent cost of living crisis will only worsen it further.

“As a male voice choir, we wanted to make a show that brings joy to people - a show that is fun and frivolous and silly and a bloody good night out, but also one that speaks to some of those difficulties we face, and that gently questions what masculinity might look like in 2022.

“Above all, we wanted to make a show that puts an arm around people, of all genders, and invites them to either forget their troubles for an evening or to share them. Sometimes it’s literally life-saving."

The Choir of Man is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, with direction by Nic Doodson, musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, set design by Oli Townsend, lighting by Richard Dinnen, costumes by Verity Sadler, sound by Sten Severson, casting by Debbie O’Brien, and musical direction by Hollie Cassar.

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