Shantify - Underbelly Boulevard

Shantify is not a show built on narrative - and it doesn't need to be. Much like the popular Choir of Man, it takes famous songs and turns them into sea shanties, and having heard a lot about it yet not being a fan of the former, I was sceptical going in. But from the minute they started singing, all of those apprehensions disappeared.

The cast of six West End performers harmonise to perfection, entertaining a crowd who cannot help but clap, laugh and cheer. The story follows a group of friends coming together to celebrate life's big moments: a major audition on Britain's Got Sea-Shanties, a proposal, a first date. It is funny, life-affirming, and brings an effortless smile to your face.

West End cast - Photography by Danny With A Camera

I cannot write this piece without mentioning every cast member by name: Michael Riseley, Jack Whittle, Alfie French, Cal T. King, Ollie Wray, and Joe Bishop. Each of them helped make this experience something special, often blurring the line between the fictional and the real. Every performer got a solid solo moment, all of which were genuinely hilarious - and my personal favourite saw them turn a proposal into a competition for the best delivery, with an audience member brought on stage to judge.

The show is advertised as "Fishermen's Friend meets Choir of Man." Shantify feels less rehearsed than its counterpart, which sounds like a criticism but absolutely is not: with a show like this, the more polished it feels, the less impactful it becomes. The cast's genuine enjoyment of being on stage together, teasing and playing off each other, is what makes it so infectious.

The song choices are brilliantly clever, reinventing everything from Aerosmith to The Greatest Showman. Yes, some of it is unapologetically cheesy, and hearing familiar songs distorted into massive choral arrangements is not for everyone. But the cast lean into it so wholeheartedly that the cheese becomes a shared laugh rather than a guilty one.

At around 90 minutes, Shantify is the perfect escape: funny, human, and musically powerful.

Production Value: 95%

Value for Money: 100%

Personal Enjoyment: 95%

Overall Score: 97% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Underbelly Boulevard, London

Playing until the 14th June 2026, before heading back to the Edinburgh Fringe before a 2027 tour.

Run Time: 1h30 - including an interval

Tickets are available for purchase at this link.