Kyle Riabko: 'To be trusted by Burt Bacharach is a true honour'

So, what is it all about Kyle?

The show is a celebration of Burt Bacharach's incredible catalogue of music, performed by a group of young musicians and singers. It's about 90 minutes of non-stop music. We're a few previews in and we're having an absolute blast.

How did it come into being?

I met Burt in a recording studio about five years ago, and it was a life changing experience. Shortly after that, my manager and friend David Seltzer and I thought it might be interesting for me to look at Burt's music from a different perspective than we're used to, and so I started building arrangements using fragments of his songs – sort of smashing them together into a new piece. The idea was to stay absolutely true to the emotional and melodic quality of these amazing songs, but to infuse them with a slightly different musical style. I grew up with a lot of blues and soul music, for example, and that tone shows up throughout the piece. Then I started taking the arrangements to Burt's house, which was an incredibly nerve wracking experience, to get his blessing.

And Bacharach did give the show his blessing – how did that feel?

It was one of the most exciting moments of my life! To be trusted by Burt is a true honour, and I really think of this show as a tribute to all that he has done for the world of music.

Does it differ from more conventional 'jukebox' shows?

We decided to let the music speak for itself, so there is no traditional narrative. But the show has an emotional arc. Our director Steven Hoggett has done an incredible job of creating a visual palate, through movement and lighting, that lives alongside the arrangement.

What is it that distinguishes Bacharach's music?

His songs are truly unique, in that they tend not to follow the traditional rules of pop songwriting. He creates very different 'shapes' for each song, depending on the content. For example, in the middle of the chorus of a 4/4 song, he'll throw in a 3/4 bar, not just because he can, but because it feels right (I'm thinking of "I Say A Little Prayer" here). When musicians start studying his work, they're always a bit blown away – "Wait! You can't do that!" – but he did.

Do you have a favourite song of his?

"Alfie" is always a favourite. There's a little bit of everything in there – thoughtfulness, melancholy, hope. That song almost represents the full spectrum of the places Burt and Hal David (his most frequent collaborator) were brave enough to go.

Have you changed the show at all for the UK?

We have four new cast members, so the show has found an exciting new life. For the most part, the structure is the same, but it lives and breathes each night. The audience is such a huge part of the show, and London has been responding with open arms, which makes it all so fun.

What's it all About? Bacharach Reimagined runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 5 September 2015