After such global acclaim for The Choir of Man, we wanted to know everything about the phenomenon that it is when we had the chance to sit down with producer Andrew Kay ahead of their Australian season.
Combining pub atmosphere with live music and dance, The Choir of Man is an Olivier Award-nominated, high-energy musical that has packed out theatres across US, Europe and Australia. Nine wildly talented guys deliver stunning harmonies, foot stomping singalongs, tap dance and slam poetry – all with a real bar on stage.
The idea for The Choir of Man was inspired by a real-life group of guys who regularly caught up and chatted about the highs and lows of their lives over a few drinks. I was interested to hear about how the work came about and what it means to connect with so many people across the world.
“This is about honesty. It’s about truth. And it’s about openness. And it struck a chord which is extraordinary.” Of creating such a successful and unique work, he says “obviously, I’m proud, but it wasn’t just my idea. The genius behind it was because of an artistic collaboration,” referring to co-producer Nic Doodson.
Casting extraordinarily multi-disciplinary performers
Finding the right artists that blended elite vocal range with down-to-earth authenticity and impeccable timing is no easy feat. Kay reflects on the audition process saying, “I’ve sat in on the auditions for Choir of Man because it requires nine-part harmonies. They’re very complicated audition processes, but I know there’s a lot of kids coming through, and they’re able to perform it. And then you add Ben Norris‘ narration, which is really tricky.”
Remarking on how the process impacted and influenced the final product, he says, “it was just in the rehearsal room when they talked about themselves and about their life and their experiences.” He references how Ben Norris and Nic Doodson’s bravery to reflect these conversations in the script and include them in the show has been so rewarding.
Queensland Premiere at Brisbane Festival
Reflecting on one of the reasons the team are so excited for the Queensland premiere, Kay says, “in Brisbane we’re performing in the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, so you’re actually coming into a community space – you’re not coming into a cold theatre. The cast come out and they talk to you, and people get on stage and they have a beer and they sit around a table on stage, drinking as though they’re at a normal pub. And then the music starts, and that’s when the narration and the poetry start and all of a sudden, you’re carried away into a different place. It’s quite magical.”
“The thing about the Speigeltent in Brisbane is that it’s in the right location down in South Bank and there’s a whole party vibe, so you’ll arrive uplifted already. I think it’s going to work very well.”
The Music of The Choir of Man
Serving up striking vocal arrangements of chart-topping hits from artists including Queen, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, and Katy Perry, the songs function as standalone elements rather than to advance the plot. Cast members frequently pick up instruments on stage including piano, accordion, trumpet and banjo, alternating between singing and adding to the phenomenal sound.
Rest assured Brisbane, you’ll experience the same iconic soundtrack as the rest of the world. “We keep the same set list. The only thing that changes is the dialogue. Every time we change the cast, all the dialogue changes, because the dialogue relates to the actual individuals. Ben Norris is amazing, because it’s all in poetry.”
2026 Australian Cast List for The Choir of Man. Image: Supplied
Reaching a broader audience
Behind the raucous laughter and beer fuelled banter the show explores some heavy themes around mental health, in particular male mental health and the loneliness experienced by so many.
“There’s a lot of honesty. There’s nine men on stage and they’re actually being open and honest about themselves. It’s quite unique in that way.” Familiarity evokes comfort. With the magic blend of well-loved anthems and the local pub setting, audiences are eased into themes that might sometimes be tricky to tackle.
Commenting on how rewarding the experience of creating, producing and touring a work that has deeply connected with so many, Kay says “it’s extraordinary, isn’t it? It’s remarkable. I don’t know, but I think it’s really brave to do it and if you pull it off it’s just so worthwhile. The Choir of Man covers serious topics in a way where it’s just observing humanity and real life and being there. This show does it and I’m very proud of that.”
In Kay’s own words, The Choir of Man is “…just nine guys in the pub talking about themselves.” It has become a world-class celebration of music and camaraderie and it should be on your must-see list.
You can see The Choir of Man at Brisbane Festival, playing from September 3rd – 26th 2026 before it tours to Wollongong, before finishing their Australian tour in Sydney.
Presented by Brisbane Festival, Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson
