Katie Tonkinson as Raven and Glenn Adamson as Strat in Bat Out Of Hell now on at His Majesty's. Image - Chris Davis Studio
Without doubt what makes Bat Out of Hell a musical worth seeing is the staggering back catalogue from Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf.
The show roared into His Majesty’s Theatre last night and it was clear from the outset the theatre was packed with Bat Out Of Hell fans.
Indeed, the man sat just in front of us was wearing a rather flashy sports style t-shirt with ‘Paradise’ and the number ‘17’ splashed across his back.
Steinman’s original concept for Bat Out Of Hell was to write a rock ‘n’ roll version of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan - but this idea ran aground when Barrie’s estate did not support the storyline.
Some songs he wrote survived – including Paradise By The Dashboard Light and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad - and Steinman and Meat Loaf went on to create the epic seven-track album Bat Out of Hell album which has sold over 50 million copies and spent nearly 500 weeks in the charts worldwide.
Glenn Adamson as Strat (centre) in Bat Out Of Hell. Image - Chris Davis Studio
The plot for this stage musical – at HMT until Saturday - is still very loosely based on J M Barrie’s Peter Pan. The teenage ‘Lost’ gang at its heart and a character named ‘Tink’ being obvious nods to the Barrie story.
To be honest, the storyline feels a little lost, just like ‘The Lost’ gang who are central to the action and headed up by Strat, a forever 18-year-old rebellious outsider played by Glenn Adamson.
That said, the strong ensemble cast keep you entertained with group numbers and well-choreographed dance sets.
Many of the principals, including Glenn, Katie Tonkinson who plays Raven, Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane, look comfortable and convincing in their roles having previously held parts in the show in the West End, UK, US or Australian tours of the musical.
Glenn as Strat gives a blazing rendition of Bat Out of Hell to close the first act and the second act opens with Katie’s character, Raven, giving a touching rendition of Heaven Can Wait.
Excellent night of Meat Loaf hits in Bat Out Of Hell. Image - Chris Davis Studio
Set in what looks like an American metropolis the staging has a grungy underground feel which comes complete with a subway type tunnel.
Raven’s bedroom is suspended above the main set and there are two big screens for projection and a live feed from the onstage cameraman who mainly capture the action in said bedroom.
The band are also fully visible on the left hand side of the set as a constant reminder this is rock ‘n’ roll played live and they handle the musical numbers well.
With a back catalogue as iconic as this, Bat out of Hell delivers a night of pure rock ‘n’ roll that runs through all the hits you’d expect and more with gorgeous vocals from the cast members.
It certainly revved up the audience who rewarded the exhilarating finale with a singalong standing ovation.
Bat Out Of Hell is at His Majesty's Theatre until Saturday, March 15. For more information and tickets visit here.
Review By Shona Byrne