Review: The Choir of Man turns Sunderland Empire into our new favourite pub

The Choir of Man hits the Empire Stage for a one-week engagement as part of their first UK tour. In a celebration of community, friendship and the power of a good drink with those you love, whether it’s a pint of lager or a J20.

Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay. Featuring the written monologues of poet Ben Norris and musical arrangements/ orchestrations by Jack Blume. Along with covering hits from the likes of Adele, Queen, Guns and Roses, Katy Perry, The Kinks and many more. Set in a British pub, ‘The Jungle’, following cast of nine ordinary men with extraordinary voices, telling their stories of the homes they came from, and the homes they have found.

Cast of The Choir of Man, Empire Theatre Sunderland, 2026

The cast is a melting pot of different talents, from musicians, vocalists, dancers and more, with stands out such as Jack Skeleton’s clap inducing tap routines, to Rob Godfrey’s electrifying guitar solos and Oluwalonimi Owoyemi’s heartfelt monologue deliveries. The show cleverly brings this diversely talented cast together, giving them individual moments, utilizing their skills, while bringing them together as a vocal force to be reckoned with. However, what I found most intriguing about the performers themselves is the joy that they all radiated on stage, staying loyal to the shows’ determination to be a celebration above all else.

The choreography by Freddie Huddleston was cleverly simplistic and was a major element towards creating the pub environment.  Their movements, while at times over the top, felt natural within the setting and leaned into the cheeky physical comedy of lads messing about on a pub night out.

Cast of The Choir of Man, Empire Theatre Sunderland, 2026

However, what I found most intriguing was how the show builds a sense of community and connection between what is happening on stage and the audience themselves, the likes of which I have never seen before in a musical theatre show. This done in many ways, through Oli Townsend’s set design, giving that rustic warmth you find from a traditional English pub, and the fact that it acts as an actual functional bar for audiences to enjoy before the show and during its interval. Additionally, the cast interactions with the audiences, whether playing pub games, sing-alongs or allowing members of the audience to be a part of the show itself. All of these things invited the audience to be apart of the show and feel like they are in ‘The Jungle’.

Overall, The Choir of man, is a joyous musical experience, driven by its brilliantly talented cast, interactive nature, wit and a message that is important as ever. Certainly, one of a kind in the best way.

The Choir of Man will be at Empire Theatre until Saturday 16th May, tickets can be found on the AGT website.