Choir of Man brings its pub‑soaked joy to Cardiff
Few shows arrive with the warmth, wit and sheer good feeling of Choir of Man. Part gig, part musical, part night down the local, the international hit production transforms the theatre into “the best pub in the world” — complete with a working on‑stage bar, live music, and a cast of nine actor‑musicians who sing, play, pour pints and tell stories.
Set in The Jungle, a fictional pub where the regulars form a choir instead of a darts team or football club, the show celebrates community, male friendship, and the small rituals that bind us together. Audiences are invited on stage before the performance to grab a drink, meet the cast, and settle into an evening that swings from raucous joy to unexpectedly tender reflections on home, loss and belonging.
Ahead of the show’s run at Wales Millennium Centre, I spoke with Welsh performer Sam Ebenezer, who returns home as part of the touring cast. What follows is an edited version of our conversation.
Interview with Sam Ebenezer
Welcome home — what’s the first thing you do when you land back in Wales? “I always used to do it when I got the train back to Aberystwyth — take a big deep breath of the fresh air,” Sam laughs. “It’s so much cleaner than London. So that’s probably the first thing I’ll be doing when I arrive in Cardiff… and a good glass of Welsh tap water.”
You’ve performed across the UK and Europe. What energy are you expecting stepping onto the Wales Millennium Centre stage? “I’m always excited performing anywhere in Wales. I’m originally from Aberystwyth, but Cardiff is home as well, so stepping onto that stage is going to be great fun. The passion and the way the Welsh enjoy themselves is really going to translate into this show.”
He adds that the premise — nine men gathering in a pub whose ‘team’ is a choir — feels naturally Welsh: “If there are two things we can do in Wales, it’s drink and sing in a choir.”
What makes Choir of Man so special from the inside? “For me, it’s the camaraderie between the boys. We all come from such different walks of life — one of the lads was literally found busking on the street in Cambridge. The show celebrates the uniqueness of each person, and that translates backstage too. There’s so much mutual respect and care.”
The set list is huge — Queen, Sia, Adele, Guns N’ Roses. Do you have a favourite number? “It changes every time I’m asked! But at the moment it’s the two a cappella numbers. Sia’s Chandelier is beautiful because it’s the first time everything is stripped back and it’s just our voices. And the show ends with a gorgeous Irish folk song — with those Celtic connections, it’s a really special moment.”
The show is all about community and connection. Is there a moment that hits you emotionally each night? “There’s a point where we stop playing characters and talk about ourselves — what home means to each of us. It’s always poignant. Audiences find something to connect with, whether that’s joy, loss, or memories of home. We also talk about male mental health and what pubs mean to us, especially as we’re losing those safe spaces.”
Your CV spans theatre, TV, voice work and Welsh‑language broadcasting. What ties all these roles together? “I’ve always aimed for variety — trying not to become a one‑trick pony. I’ve done TV, voice work, straight plays, and now an actor‑musician heavy musical. I’m extremely grateful for that variety.”
Will we see you in more Welsh‑language or Wales‑based productions? “Absolutely. A couple of doors nearly opened over the last few years, but Choir of Man has kept me busy. I’m as passionate about the Welsh language as I am about theatre, so I really hope that door opens again soon.”
What’s the one thing you always pack for a long tour? “Home comforts. Little things that keep you grounded — photos in the dressing room, a steamer for the vocals. Because you don’t have a permanent home on tour, those comforts matter.”
Favourite pub drink? “I’ve stopped drinking over the last couple of years, but I was definitely a cider drinker and I loved a G&T. Now it’s usually a Coke or a non‑alcoholic beer — though drinking 0% beer reminds me of doing the show!”
Finally — what can audiences expect at the Wales Millennium Centre? “It’s a hybrid between theatre and a gig. We break the fourth wall a lot, and the audience is as much a part of the show as we are. You can arrive early, come on stage, grab a pint from the working bar, and then enjoy a night of huge songs, instruments, joy and a few heartfelt moments. And you can do it with a drink in your hand — no complaints.”
