Review: Choir of Man at LOWRY is a memorable night at the theatre that will leave you with a smile

Last updated 42 seconds ago Theatre Bookmark Share X Share Chat The Choir of Man at LOWRY is an immersive, energetic jukebox musical celebrating everything we love about a traditional British pub; good company, live music, a few drinks and the feeling of belonging.

Set inside a pub called The Jungle, the production follows nine men, each representing a familiar pub character, from the Joker and the Romantic to the Poet and the Hard Man.

Combining powerful vocals, impressive tap dancing, hilarious comedy and emotional storytelling, it delivers an entertaining evening which feels more like a night out to the pub with your friends, unlike any other show I’ve seen.

The experience begins before the show officially starts. As you enter the theatre, you are immediately welcomed by a lively atmosphere, with the cast interacting with audience members and bringing the pub to life.

The stage features a functioning bar, and audience members can even step onto the stage for a pint before the performance begins.

This is a brilliant way to break down the barrier between performers and audience, making everyone feel like a regular walking into their local.

Oli Townsend’s scenic design deserves particular recognition. The pub feels warm and wonderfully familiar, evoking memories of nights spent with friends and conversations that stretch into the early hours.

The attention to detail creates a convincing, lived-in environment that immediately establishes the welcoming atmosphere of the production.

Rather than following a conventional storyline, the show takes the form of a concert-style celebration, featuring inventive covers of recognisable hits by artists including Adele, Queen, Sia and Guns N’ Roses.

The variety of music ensures there is something for everyone, with powerful nine-part harmonies that fill the theatre. One moment you are tapping your feet and singing along; the next, you are laughing at the cast’s antics or finding yourself unexpectedly moved.

Audience participation is one of the production’s greatest strengths. Throughout the show, the cast serenade women, invite audience members onto the stage to dance and hand out beers.

Coasters and packets of crisps are even thrown into the crowd, adding to the wonderfully chaotic atmosphere. These moments make the performance feel spontaneous and inclusive, capturing the spirit of a great night at the pub where strangers come together to share a laugh.

Comedy is another major highlight, particularly the urinal scene, which is absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way.

Watching the men sing to one another while standing at the urinals is hilarious, with Levi Tyrell Johnson as Hard Man proving especially entertaining.

His facial expressions communicate an entire stream of thoughts without saying a word. The visual gag involving the apparent stream of urine reaching the floor, before landing on a neighbouring man’s leg as he turns, is brilliantly executed. It is silly, shameless and guaranteed to have the audience laughing.

Jack Skelton, as Handyman, is another standout performer. His vocals are exceptional, but his tap-dancing performance during 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is particularly impressive.

The choreography travels across the stage and even onto the bar, making full use of the set. Skelton’s precision and natural stage presence turn the number into a thrilling dance.

Gustav Melbardis, as Maestro, brings plenty of playful energy to the production. His rendition of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) is especially memorable as he attempts to perform a slower, more sentimental version for an audience member.

Naturally, the audience cannot resist shouting out the familiar refrain, hilariously interrupting his performance. Melbardis’s comic timing makes this a wonderful example of how the show embraces audience interaction and turns it into entertainment.

While the comedy is fantastic, Oluwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi, as Poet, provides much of the show’s emotional heart. His monologues connect the musical numbers, reflecting on relationships  and human connection. Owoyemi has a magnetic stage presence, drawing the audience into his words with sincerity and warmth.

His rendition of Dance with My Father is particularly moving. The emotional honesty of his performance reveals the vulnerability beneath the humour associated with traditional masculinity.

It is a poignant reminder that even in a show centred on drinking, singing and having fun, there is room for grief and reflection. Owoyemi handles these moments with sensitivity, giving the production an emotional depth that might otherwise be unexpected.

The Choir of Man is more than an entertaining night out. Beneath the beer, banter and brilliantly choreographed musical numbers lies a heartfelt celebration of male friendship and community.

Overall, The Choir of Man is an exceptional theatrical experience combining outstanding vocals, impressive choreography and genuinely touching storytelling.

The cast have fantastic chemistry, and the audience interaction makes the performance feel unique.

What makes the show so special is its ability to leave you feeling as though you have spent an evening among friends. You arrive as an audience member and leave feeling like part of the pub itself.

Funny, uplifting and emotionally resonant, The Choir of Man is a production I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable night at the theatre. Just be prepared to sing along, raise a glass and leave with a smile on your face!

Choir of Man is showing until 17th October 2026.

Share Tweet Share Chat This article was last updated 42 seconds ago. It was first published on 14 October 2026 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version. Did we miss something? Let us know: [email protected]

Science & Industry Museum, Castlefield Favourite Food and Drink Every Sat · Until 28 Nov James Martin Afternoon Tea James Martin MCR, Great Northern Warehouse, 223A Deansgate Favourite Music and Gigs 7 May Mo Gilligan: The Mo You Know World Tour AO Arena, Victoria Station Approach Places Favourite Hotels The Midland Hotel Two St Peter’s Square, Manchester Favourite Food & Drink Albert Hall Albert Hall, 27 Peter St Favourite Restaurants Little Beast Medlock Square, Etihad Campus, 214 Alan Turing Way Manchester’s Definitely Maybe bar brings the Oasis spirit to New York for a second summer 30 July 2026 No Comments Two brothers from Bolton are bringing Oasis, football and Mancunian spirit to Manhattan as Definitely Maybe New York returns for its second summer.

Around £1.8m is being spent on the Jacobean Revival style building as part of the wider improvement scheme to regenerate Stalybridge’s cultural quarter and historical assets.

Rochdale has brought in more than £5.5m for the local economy, and here’s how.

Following a successful screening event this June, MASFS are in for a chance to win an exciting award, and civic pride is at the heart of it.

Greater Manchester is about to get another first; a Greater Manchester Meditation.

Looking for your next home? Podium is the perfect place for you.

From light-up mirrors on Canal Street to more than 230 gender-affirming operations and procedures, Pall Mall Medical put patients and the LGBTQ+ community at the heart of its Manchester Village Pride weekend.

Manchester is known as a rainy city, and this brand-new children’s book is proving that the magic of Manchester never disappears, despite the rain.