“It’s a unique experience”: An interview with Tyler Orphé-Baker, star of The Choir of Man at Arts Theatre

Since debuting at Edinburgh Fringe and touring around the world, The Choir of Man is now playing in the West End’s Arts Theatre. It brings to stage a jukebox collection of hits, aiming to replicate the experience of a feel-good night at the local pub through its nine-piece all-male lineup. We spoke to Tyler Orphé-Baker, who plays the “Pub Bore”, about his experience in the production. 

Tyler, it must be exciting returning to the stage – how does it feel to be part of a brand new production opening in the West End?

Indeed, it is. I get the sense that I’m part of something very special. I’ve joined a cast of seasoned veterans of The Choir of Man, to whom its origins and messages are near and dear, so this production does not fall short of heart. Theatre is back and booming and I’m thrilled to be a part of London’s scene in an important season for the industry as it finds its feet again.

Your new musical, The Choir of Man, has had international success in the likes of Australia and the US, but now it’s making its debut here. How would you sum up the story to new audiences?  

First of all, by saying that it isn’t actually quite a musical… it’s a unique experience that lives somewhere between a gig and a piece of theatre. Expect pop, rock, folk, maybe a Broadway belter and the integral spoken word by Ben Norris that drives the show. We touch on themes of fraternity and home, celebrate the culture of pubs and community spaces, and do so with pride. It’s one of those shows that you have to see to understand; I hadn’t a clue until I felt the electricity of opening night!

We can imagine it’s been an interesting few months for the arts and particularly new shows. What were the rehearsals and production like? Were there any challenges?

Rehearsals, like everything about The Choir of Man, were very different to what I’ve experienced before. We rehearsed for just two weeks, the intensity of the short rehearsal period being the main challenge, plus having to learn instruments I had never touched before! 

Given how much us theatre people care about getting our industry back on its feet, regular Covid testing and wearing masks when not performing were paramount. I suppose as in any industry, we’ve embraced a “new normal”, so I can’t say any of it has got in our way. We do, however, have to congratulate our swings, Matt Beveridge and George Bray, for stepping into what must feel an especially crucial responsibility in a Covid age of live theatre. These two gents quite literally save our show!

It’s set in a pub! What kind of staging and set-ups can audiences look forward to? 

Our pub, The Jungle, features a working bar with the chance to get a free pint and mingle onstage with us, its nightly patrons. Verity Sadler, our costume and set designer, has built a set around the concept of the community. Take note of the photographs of The Choir of Man members old and new as you enter The Jungle. 

The characters are notably not given any official names in the programme. What do you make of the “Pub Bore” and how did you prepare for the role?

In The Choir of Man, we each play a version of ourselves. The descriptive name I have acts as a vehicle for expressing the bits of Tyler that align with who I think the Pub Bore is. I am (or would like to think I am) the complete opposite to what the name implies, and so creating my version of the Bore has been a fun and interesting journey. I spent the first week of rehearsals very quiet and focused, so, in recreating the role for myself, I had fun imagining what others would have thought of the silent, serious, well-dressed newbie, and my Bore was born. 

You’ve been in productions such as The Railway Children – how does The Choir of Man compare to your previous shows and experience, given it’s such a unique concept?

We have such freedom in this show that I haven’t yet experienced working on anything else. Although we are a choir, our individuality as performers is respected and embraced, giving us room to be ourselves, vocally, physically and emotionally. I also didn’t expect to go on such an emotional journey during the show and I relive that every night. It is organic, honest and cathartic, all while being light and comforting.

It is also the first all-male cast I have been a part of. We actively welcome all people to The Jungle, and on-stage, we champion an intersectional view of masculinity.

There are some renditions of songs from well-known artists like Adele and Sia – do you have a particular favourite and why? 

Waterloo Sunset, originally by The Kinks, is my favourite. Collectively, wherever we’re from, London is our new home for as long as The Choir of Man is in town, and for that reason a special place for us all. The song speaks of a place of safety and content and we hope that The Jungle is a place like this for our audience as much as it is for us. 

Of all the songs we sing, Waterloo Sunset touches me the most when I see audience members singing along. There is a moment here where we are all one and the same, because we all know what home feels like. We recognise from our collective experiences that home is not always a physical dwelling, but an emotional one too.  

The performances are all about the nine-part harmonies. How did that all come together and how is it performing with the rest of the cast? 

Jack Blume, The Choir of Man musical director and arranger is a genius! And a very particular one at that. The pieces take meticulous rehearsal and require much attention to detail and when they come together it is very rewarding. I started singing in gospel and chamber choirs as a child so it’s wonderful to return to this close harmony work that yields such a magical sound. 

What do you hope audiences can take away from the show – how do you want people to feel when they leave the “pub”?

I hope that audiences can feel as though, for the 80 minutes we have them, they have a home with us – a place in which they feel close to someone they do not know, because we let them in. 

And finally, any big plans for the future? What’s next beyond The Choir of Man? 

Who knows?! The Choir of Man has exposed me to so much incredible musicianship so I’d love to take some time to focus work on mine. I’m at the beginning of my career so I’m taking each opportunity as it comes with open arms and curiosity. Each job is an experience in my arsenal that I am grateful for.

Thanks very much for speaking to us, Tyler!

Bev Lung

For further information about The Choir of Man and future performances visit here.

Read our review of The Choir of Man here.

Watch the West End trailer for the production here: