Audience Invited On Stage for a Beer with Actors... Musical "Choir of Man" Opens on the 18th

Set in a London Pub

The Ordinary Lives of Nine Men Unfold on Stage

The jukebox musical "Choir of Man," where audience members can join the actors on stage, drink beer, and share stories, will open on September 18 at the Nol Theater Woori Investment & Securities Hall in Daehak-ro, Seoul.

"Choir of Man" adopts a unique format that breaks down the barrier between actors and audience, set in "The Jungle," a pub in London. The audience becomes guests at the pub, and those who wish can step onto the stage, share a drink with the actors, and chat. Even after the show begins, the boundary between the stage and the seats disappears, with actors and audience members singing together and applauding throughout the performance.

Nine men gather at the pub and unfold stories about their own lives, love, and loss through songs, instrumental performances, and tap dance. The show conveys comfort and a sense of community as ordinary people come together, share stories, and make music in the pub setting.

The cast presents sixteen songs spanning genres such as pop, rock, folk, and a cappella, accompanied by a live pub band. Signature numbers include Queen's "Somebody to Love," Adele's "Hello," Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle," and Sia's "Chandelier."

"Choir of Man" debuted at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the UK, then toured Australia, New Zealand, and the United States before making it to London's West End in 2021. In 2022, it was nominated for Best Entertainment at the Olivier Awards.

For its Korean premiere, nineteen actors were selected through five rounds of auditions. The role of "Poet," who leads the pub's stories, will be played by Lee Chungjoo, Kim Jicheol, and Lim Junhyuk. The "Romantic" role goes to Shin Eun-chong and Son Jinwook; "Joker" to Jung Chanyoung and Kang Yunseok; and "Maestro" to Park Chanyang and Song Kwonwoong.

Kim Dohyun and Kim Bangon have been cast as "Hard Man," Moon Sion and Joo Minhyeok as "Beast," and Yoo Seongjae and Park Duhee as "Barman." The "Handyman" role will be played by Kwon Ohwan and Lee Sunghoon, and the "Bore" role by Kang Riwun and Lee Yeonseung.

"Choir of Man" is a piece co-created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, with Doodson directing. Speaking about the Korean cast, Doodson said, "The actors' abilities are outstanding, and they each bring their talents to the stage while respecting one another." Musical director Alistair Higgins added, "Some actors were so passionate that they learned to play certain instruments specifically for the audition."

The Korean production was translated by Lee Kyunghoo, with Yang Jaeseon responsible for the Korean lyrics, and Lee Jiyoung joining as domestic associate director.

The Korean premiere of "Choir of Man" will run until January 3 of next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.