A group of friends from Hitchin on a birthday trip to a hit West End show were delighted to learn one of the stage stars also hailed from our town - during the performance!

The fun trip to the capital to celebrate one of their pals' birthdays, saw them take in hit show The Choir of Man, in the heart of London's theatreland.

The group of longstanding friends from Hitchin revelled in the acclaimed show, which is renowned for a riotously feel-good homage to that gathering place we've all missed so much during the Covid pandemic: The Good Old British Pub.

The popular production - described by critics as a feast for the senses - comes complete with a real working bar on stage, as part of the performance at the theatre in Great Newport Street, near to Leicester Square.

So, when, during a particularly moving section - as part of a superb, emotionally charged monologue - it was revealed actor Matt Beveridge was from our town, the group from Hitchin watching spellbound in the audience were delighted by the unexpected news.

One of the pals enjoying the show, Faye Silver, explained: "We whooped when Hitchin was mentioned - although that might have been more to do with the four pints of free beer they gave us."

The talented cast consists of nine guys who mix rollocking singalongs with wondrous tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community.

Following three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and multiple sold-out US and European tours, the Choir of Man is currently booking to February 13, 2022.

Fellow Hitchin theatregoer Nikki Catt-Marrison added: "Adele's music playing, while the cast performed a balletic dance in slow motion, in response to watching a football match depicted as a light shining down, was ethereal - who would have thought?

"It was an amazing rollercoaster of heartfelt song and dance which made you feel you were invited and welcomed into the pub."

While Rachel Rowe - whose birthday prompted the chums' West End trip - added: "The stunning voices that were brilliantly put together in an uplifting and emotional show, left me pleading for a lock-in."

To book tickets for the outstanding Choir of Man, visit www.choirofmanwestend.com

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