Bat Out of Hell is based on Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits which are all played in this powerful rock and roll musical creating a tremendous loud, heart pumping, rock and roll show.
With the songs alone this is a musical that will be big for all rock and roll fans out there. It is only being shown in the Coliseum for a very limited season which is a shame so don’t miss it before it’s gone, gone, gone.
Bat Out of Hell
I attended the press night June 2017 for the limited run of Bat Out of Hell. Outside there was so many Harley Davidsons and fans of Meatloaf that it gave the whole atmosphere a real buzz with everyone singing Meatloaf songs and the riders of the Harley Davidson’s revving their bikes. A great tribute to Meatloaf.
Upon entering the Coliseum reception area you come across so much merchandise to be bought from T-shirts to keyrings. There also is a Harley Davidson that you can sit on and pose with and a cardboard prop of a Harley Davidson. The whole building is spectacular with its beautiful statues, marble walling and painted ceilings.
Upon entering the theatre stage itself it was you encounter a mind blowing dark scene set on stage making it feel like a bat cave which most definitely started to get me excited in what was going to be performed.
The story is based around Steinman’s book ‘Dance of the Vampires’. The story is very much like a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ situation and a bit like the film ‘The Lost Boys’. Gothy teenager Raven (Christina Bennington) is besotted over Strat (Andrew Polec) one of the immortal 18 year old boys who lives in the tunnels where the deadly are rising. Strat a man in the shadows with a gun in his eye is feral and quite demanding and prepared to fight for what he wants. Raven attempts at night to escape her parent’s house in where she lives as no one’s gonna stop her now, Raven is gonna make her escape to get to Strat before the final crack of dawn for when the night is over, like a bat out of hell, Strat will be gone, gone, gone. Her father Falco (Rob Fowler) though does not want Raven to have anything to do with Strat or the other immortal boys. He does everything that he possibly can to stop them from getting together. Raven and Strat really want to be together with every other beat of the heart. For Strat, Raven is the only thing in this whole world. They both just can’t stop crawling on back to each other.
There is a lot of romance scenes, arguments, fights, a crash, dying scenes and of course lots of loud heart pumping songs by Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf. Everyone’s acting and rock and roll singing is so good it makes your heart literally leap out of your chest however Andrew Polec (Strat) really does steal the show with his amazing performance when he sings “I’d do anything for Love”.
Verdict
Bat Out of Hell is most certainly battastic crazy, but all in a good way. The first half of the show for me was the most enjoyably part as I especially loved the scene in where Strat is tearing up the road, faster on is silver-black phantom bike the Harley Davidson before he has a crash in which then it explodes in slow motion ending with the debris from the bike forming a heart shape with Stat Torn and twisted at the foot of a burning bike. Jon Bausor is the set designer and it is set in such a retro style way but all very clever especially how the new rooms are hidden by projection screens which projects from time to time live camera feeds given by legendary director Katie Mitchell.
Would I go and see this again yes yes yes like a bat out of hell but then I love Rock and Roll, gothness and I love the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ style story plus the singing by Andrew was so outstanding it made me sit on the edge of my seat with my heart literally pumping out of my chest in fact at points I wanted to stand up and start dancing and head banging. However if you don’t like rock and roll, romance or loudness (for it sure is loud) then don’t go and see this show.
For a limited time it will be touring. Click here to find out where it is performing next.
What is your favourite Meatloaf song?
I went and saw this amazing production back in 2017 but it is coming back in full force from 2 April 2018.
OFFER for 27 June 2018
Returning to the Dominion Theatre April 2018 this smash-hit musical will get you rocking.
Why not make it an extra special night and enjoy a two-course meal (British cuisine) for two at the nearby Century Club (an exclusive members’ club) on Wednesday 27 June 2018. After you’ll be revving and ready to see Bat Out of Hell where you will get either a top price seat in the stalls or dress circle (seats will be allocated) to rock the night away.
It’ll be a hell of a special night! and one NOT to be missed.
“I love going out discovering new and existing restaurants, theatres, immersive experiences and so much more but I also love staying in and discovering new gadgets, gaming and cooking.
