REVIEW: SHANTIFY @ UNDERBELLY BOULEVARD

🎭 Shantify

📍  Underbelly Boulevard, 6 Walker's Court, London, W1F 0BT

🗓 Thursday 4th June 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

THE CODFATHER OF MARITIME MUSICALS!

London might be about as far from the coast as you can get, but stepping into Underbelly Boulevard last night, the heart of Soho was firmly transported to the seaside. I’ve been anticipating SHANTIFY for a while now, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Think The Choir of Man meets Fisherman’s Friends, but with an extra dose of theatrical magic. It is pure, unadulterated joy from start to finish. In fact, the vibe in the venue was so infectious from the moment I walked in that I did something highly unusual for a press night - I abandoned my usual mid-stalls safety and sat right on the front row. What a spectacular decision. I was so close to the action I could practically taste the salt spray, and I loved every single second of it. They had me absolutely hooked from the very first note, and from that moment on, I knew I was in safe hands.

The premise is delightfully simple. We follow a crew of performers - the brilliantly named The Barnacle Buoys - as they prepare for a massive gig at The Port Arms pub. While the storyline is fairly loose, the narrative is more than sufficient to keep the evening moving at a cracking pace. It doesn't need to be heavy Shakespeare; it just needs to give these lads a reason to do what they do best.

What makes this show so incredibly refreshing, though, is the sheer warmth on display. There is absolutely zero toxic masculinity to be found here. These are real men who are unashamedly joyful, deeply supportive of one another, and about as far away from the dark corners of the 'manosphere' as you can possibly get. It is a beautiful, uplifting celebration of male friendship, camaraderie, and artistic connection.

And my word, can they sing. Individually, every single one of these performers possesses a superb, powerhouse voice capable of carrying a West End show on its own. But when they come together? That is where the real alchemy happens. It is utterly magical when those intricate harmonies lock into place. This cast delivers what are easily some of the tightest, most breathtaking and intoxicating vocals you are likely to hear on a London stage this year. It is a masterclass in vocal arrangement. On top of that, the show is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, anchored by a cast with impeccable comic timing and charm to spare.

The musical arrangements are where the show really finds its sea legs. They cover absolutely everything, reinventing rock and pop classics with a nautical twist. We get everything from Fleetwood Mac to Beyoncé, but the absolute pinnacle of the night comes when these six blokes take on modern musical theatre anthems. Their transformation into the literal queens from SIX The Musical genuinely has to be seen to be believed. It is camp, clever, and shockingly precise harmony singing.

By the final number, the entire audience was up on their feet, cheering, clapping, and completely swept away by the tide. Honestly, my only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer! I was having so much fun I didn't want the anchors weighed just yet.

Apologies for the incoming puns, but if you are looking for a night out that is fin-tastic, un-shell-fishly joyful, and shores up your love for vocal theatre, do not miss this. It’s a total catch.

This high-energy maritime mash-up is an absolute masterpiece that will leave you totally hooked.

SHANTIFY continues performances at Underbelly Boulevard Soho until Sunday 14th June. CLICK HERE to grab your tickets before it's too late.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair, and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Shantify was gifted by KWPR who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST:

Joe Bishop; Cal T King; Jack Whittle; Alfie French; Michael Riseley; Ollie Wray

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 50 minutes, including interval

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