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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNo prizes for guessing, then, what the first number of the night is. There\u2019s definitely something a
little strange about a Guns N Roses tune with more of a folksy, pop feel than its hard rock origins,
but it is delivered with such energy that I start to think \u2018Ok, this might be better than I thought.\u2019
Enter The Poet, played by Denis Grindel (instead of Ben Norris) with no small amount of loveable
charm. He is one of several cast changes from the programme; the other two are Mark Irwin as The Barman (rather than Lemuel Knights) and Lucas Koch as The Beast (instead of Owen Bolton). All delivered solid performances so I didn\u2019t feel we missed out. Along with Levi Tyrell Johnson, aka The Hardman, these were my favourites. Denis narrates throughout, which means he does most of the talking. It is suitably cheesy (which was somewhat anticipated) as he predominantly talks in rhyme. It\u2019s unclear as he gives us small glimpses into the lives of each character \u2013 and how each got their nickname \u2013 how much is truth and how much is fiction, but I\u2019m not sure that really matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was funnier than I thought it would be; there were plenty of laughs to be had. The urinal scene
where they sing \u2018Under the Bridge\u2019 by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is particularly memorable, although some I\u2019m sure might find it tasteless. It was also more moving in places than I expected, and I think other reviews which criticise its lack of substance\/depth don\u2019t give it credit for. At one point the subject came round to losing a father, and a lady in front of me who had recently experienced such a loss cried throughout \u2018You\u2019re the Voice\u2019. \u2018The Parting Glass\u2019 \u2013 delivered as pure acapella, rather than with a band like the rest of the songs \u2013 was really rousing.
The song list has been carefully crafted to ensure that there is something for everyone. They\u2019ve
played it very safe, with well known and loved hits from Adele to The Proclaimers.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhat makes it different from anything else on the West End? The audience interaction is relatively unique, although we\u2019re starting to see more of it (I\u2019m thinking KitKat Club\u2019s Cabaret and the dinner pit at Moulin Rouge). Two women from the audience were pulled up at different points to be serenaded \u2013 I think this could have been quite cringeworthy had the women they picked not been incredibly good sports and added their own comedy. Other than that, I\u2019m not sure anything substantial by way of differences. A lack of interval. Beer mats and packets of crisps were thrown out into the audience. A few beers were distributed (thankfully
not airborne).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it one of the \u2018greats\u2019 of the West End? Probably not, but that\u2019s not what it\u2019s trying to be. You have to take it for what it is, and that\u2019s harmless fun. I had a good evening out, which was a pleasant surprise given I was quite sceptical before I entered the theatre. I\u2019m glad to have seen it, and if someone asked me I\u2019d tell them to give it a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tickets to see Choir of Man at the Arts Theatre are available until the end of May 2023 and can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n