The Choir of Man reveals new West End cast

New casting has been confirmed for The Choir of Man as the show continues its run at the Arts Theatre into 2026.

The production began its West End run in October 2021 and has since welcomed over 280,000 audience members across more than 1,000 performances. Earlier this year, it paused its season while preliminary work was done to redevelop the venue.

Set in a pub called The Jungle, the show features a nine-strong male cast combining vocal performances with dance and spoken word. The musical includes songs from artists including Queen, Adele, Guns and Roses, Sia and Paul Simon. Audience members are offered a pint as part of the performance.

Originally created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, The Choir of Man has previously been staged at the Sydney Opera House and toured in the US and Europe. Following its initial West End season, the show received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play and has since partnered with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Signature Brew.

Multiple current cast members will head to Shanghai to join the production there, and the West End company will welcome back familiar faces from the Choir of Man family.

From 2 September, the full company will feature Aled Pennock (as Bore), Jason Brock ‘Romantic), Cal T King (Beast), Ifan Gwilym-Jones (Maestro), Oliver Jacobson (Barman), Benji Lord (Joker), Paul McArthur (Poet), Tom Carter-Miles (swing), Alex Mallalieu (swing), Dave Shute (swing), and Sam Ebenezer (swing).

The roles of Hardman and Handyman will be shared. Playing Hardman will be Matt Beveridge (2 to 21 September) and Levi Tyrell Johnson (23 September to 4 January). Playing Handyman will be Ben Goffe (2 September to 12 October), Adam Hilton (14 October to 2 November), and George Knapper (4 November to 4 January).

Doodson said on behalf of the producers, “The Arts Theatre has been our London home for nearly four years, and it’s bittersweet to enter these final months. We’re thrilled to welcome back some brilliant members of our global family, and equally excited for those heading off to represent The Choir of Man in Shanghai. This is the last chance to raise a glass with our West End company before we say goodbye to the Arts Theatre, but not goodbye forever. Watch this space.”

Direction is by Doodson with Daniel Harnett as associate director. Monologues are by Ben Norris. Musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations are by Jack Blume, with Lee Freeman as resident musical director. Movement direction is by Freddie Huddleston, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting by Richard Dinnen, and sound by Sten Severson.

The show is produced by HH Productions Ltd, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy and Andy Barnes, Gavin Kalin and Hunter Arnold. On stage at West End Live, an extension until 4 January was revealed – with tickets available now.