Based on the album trilogy by the late Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf, the journey to bring Bat Out of Hell to the stage goes back long before its 2017 premiere. Originally conceived for a musical inspired by Peter Pan, it’s now turned into the iconic album we know it as today. Rock n’ rolling its way around the world, the show rocks its way back to the UK in a brand new tour. Now stopping at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, did it make me want to get whisked away by a stranger on a Harley Davidson?
I was gifted a press ticket in exchange for an honest review. All thought and opinions are my own.
Bat out of Hell
Cast
- Strat: Luke Street (u/s)
- Raven: Katie Tonkinson
- Falco: Rob Fowler
- Sloane: Harriet Richardson-Cockerline (u/s)
- Zahara: Georgia Iudica-Davies (u/s)
- Jagwire: Ryan Carter
Rating: ★★★
What is Bat out of Hell about?
In the post-apocalyptic dystopian Obsidian, the forever 18 year-old leader rebellious group the Lost, Strat, falls in love with Raven, the daughter of tyrannical Chief of Police Falco. As sparks fly between the two (figuratively and literally), they embark on an adventure as Falco tries to defeat The Lost once and for all.
What are my thoughts on Bat out of Hell?
A cross between Peter Pan and Romeo and Juliet, Bat out of Hell is one of those shows that is best to switch your brain off before going into it. The convoluted plot for the most part takes a back seat. The world building of Obsidian, while intriguing, does little to explain what’s going on and characters are simple in terms of motivation. With all that said, boy does it know how to rock out. Jay Schreib’s direction fills the show with an infectious energy, and knows exactly what you’re here for. You’re here to listen to rock classics, and it gives you just that without pretending to be anything else.
Michael Reed’s arrangements add to the gothic melodrama of Steinman’s rock anthems and power ballads that less radiate across the theatre and more explode – even if Gareth Owen’s sound tends to run by decibels that makes some lyrics indecipherable. Perfect for any 80’s fan wanting to relive the glory days of pure rock, highlights including the titular number closing act one, Paradise by the Dashboard Light and Two Out of Three Isn’t Bad.
Jon Bausor’s design for this UK tour is taken from the recent Australia arena show and is the most scaled down version so far. Split into the Lost’s grimy hideout, Raven’s bedroom and an elevated platform for the eight-piece live band to rock out to their heart’s content along with two giant screens to showcase Finn Ross’ CGI Obsidian and project live footage, they’re a mixed bag. While capturing an electric rock concert adorned with flashing lights and pyrotechnics, it can be to the production’s detriment as a musical. Characters speak and sing into handheld microphones, and the filming gets distracting, avoiding me getting fully immersed into the world and taking me out moments that could carry honest emotion.
What’s the cast like?
We had alternate Luke Street on as Strat at press night. Carrying an epic amount of vocal athleticism an infectious childlike energy, his performance as the forever 18 leader of The Lost is every bit the spry Peter Pan his character is inspired by. Katie Tonkinson (Bonnie and Clyde) adds dimension and a rebellious edge to the admittedly underwritten Raven while also carrying a soaring voice, her soul-wrenching rendition of Heaven Can Wait making for one of the highlights of the night.
This Bat out of Hell tour benefits from having original Falco Rob Fowler reprising his role, clearly having the time of his life chewing the scenery and embracing the silliness gyrating in nothing but a pink speedo. Opposite cover Harriet Richardson-Cockerline as his wife Sloane at press night, they made the two’s rekindling of their love among the story’s highlights both in a hilarious Paradise By the Dashboard Light and the more heartbreaking What Part of my Body Hurts the Most.
Among the supporting cast, Ryan Carter and Georgia Iudica-Davies as Jagwire and Zahara respectively are easy highlights, powerhouse vocals and dynamic chemistry to Dead Ringer For Love.
What are my overall thoughts?
Is Bat Out of Hell a deep and thought-provoking musical? No. Is it still a fun night out fans on Jin Steinman and Meat Loaf will be sure to rock out towards the end? Absolutely. While this tour’s writing and creative choices leave it lacking in areas with bigger potential, you can tell it’s a sincere effort both from the cast who are clearly having fun onstage and the late Steinman. It took fifty years for Bat Out of Hell to finally be brought to the stage, and it was never pretending to be something it wasn’t.
Bat Out of Hell runs at the New Victoria Theatre Woking until May 10. Buy your tickets here.
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