Presented by Andrew
Kay & Associates
Canberra Theatre to 13
April
Reviewed by Len Power 11
April 2019
Entering the Canberra Theatre auditorium for ‘The Choir Of
Man’, you’re invited up onstage to have a free beer before the show
starts. The attractive pub setting, the smoky
atmospheric lighting, the loud background music and the free drinks set the
tone for the show. You’re at your
favourite pub for an evening of songs.
The all-male singers are young, good-looking and
energetic. They can certainly sing and
are most memorable with the group numbers where their harmony singing is superb. They sing everything – classic rock, show tunes,
folk and pub songs. Songs by Paul Simon,
Adele, Sia, Queen and more are featured.
There’s even a rousing performance of ‘You’re The Voice’ towards the
end.
Music is mostly backing tracks with the addition of an
on-stage piano and occasionally other instruments, all played by the singers. One of the guys tap dances very well, too.
Audience participation is encouraged with singalongs,
Mexican waves and invitations to join the cast onstage for a few lucky women.
The show moves at a pace to keep the excitement levels
high. Banter between songs was well done,
if predictable. The audience on opening
night clearly was enjoying every minute of it.
There’s nothing pretentious about this kind of show. It exists to entertain in a slick, undemanding,
colourful and tuneful package that works for its target audience. If a night of well-known songs performed by
an attractive young cast of good singers is your idea of a good time, you’ll be
delighted with this.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
