Review: BAT OUT OF HELL, The Alexandra Birmingham - Tour
Photo credit: Chris Davis Studio
Imagine a mash-up of Peter Pan and Romeo and Juliet set in a dystopian future version of Manhattan where everyone is clad in 1980s punk rock fashion, and you'll be somewhere close to the set-up of Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell: The Musical. It feels a little like a fever dream, but it’s certainly an entertaining one.
Based on the trilogy of ‘Bat Out of Hell’ albums by the legendary Meat Loaf, the musical premiered in 2017, directed by Jay Scheib, and is now touring internationally. Steinman wrote not only the songs but the book too, which tells the story of Strat, member of tunnel-dwelling gang ‘The Lost’, and his love affair with Raven, the daughter of city leader Falco.
The production does its best to channel arena concert vibes, with Jon Bausor's set including two huge video screens which are mostly used to stream live capture from a roving cameraman. The sound reaches arena levels too, with every beat of the rock classics and power ballads broadcast at a seat-shaking volume, which is thrilling but tends to distort some of the lyrics and instrumental music.
Even with some sound issues, Meat Loaf's music is a joy to listen to, with hit after hit, and Steinman makes the bold and welcome decision to include almost all the songs in their entirety, despite their long running times. Unfortunately a few songs have been cut for this tour, including the excellent ‘Good Girls Go To Heaven’, but 17 remain, and they are brilliantly performed by the cast.
Glenn Adamson is all power and fury as Strat, with his motorbike-riding, mic-swinging rendition of ‘Bat Out of Hell’ a worthy Act One closer. His duets with Katie Tonkinson's gutsy, rebellious Raven are particular highlights.
This tour benefits from the return of Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton who originated the roles of Falco and his conflicted wife Sloane. Their ‘Paradise By The Dashboard Light’, a bitterness-fuelled flashback to their own teenage days, is one of the show’s most memorable moments, and Fowler’s despondent ‘What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most’ is beautifully sung.
They have great support too, especially from Georgia Bradshaw and Ryan Carter as Strat's friends Zahara and Jagwire, who perform ‘Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad’ with the right amount of reluctant yearning.
As good as the cast are, there is a limit to what they can do with the thin and confusing script. The concept of teenagers who don’t age isn’t explained, and the characters are underwritten, so their decisions often make little sense. The book seems to exist only to move the show from song to song, which is a shame as with further development, it would have been possible for the audience to care much more about the characters.
If you can forgive the story elements, this is a great opportunity to see Steinman's biggest hits performed with style and flair by an excellent cast. It's a high energy, high-volume production that’s a must-see for Meat Loaf fans.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Laura Lott
Bat Out of Hell: The Musical plays at The Alexandra, Birmingham until 22 February before continuing its tour, with tickets for select touring venues available here.