If you need anything in life right now, you need a night at Bat Out of Hell: The Musical.
Opening night at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, was nothing short of electrifying – a true obsidian tale of star-crossed lovers, rebellion, and rock ‘n’ roll that sweeps you into a whirlwind of passion, heartbreak, and high-energy performances.
From the moment the curtain rose, the cast were on fire. The choreography, which has remained from the original London tour, is as sharp and thrilling as ever, and the costumes transport you straight into the dystopian world of The Lost. There’s a nostalgic charm for those who have followed the production from its early days, yet it still feels fresh and exhilarating. The adapted story allows first-time viewers a deeper understanding, making it more accessible while preserving the magic that fans adore.
Bat Out of Hell is a high-octane, rock-fueled love story that grips you from the start. Raven, trapped in luxury by her overbearing father, Falco, longs for freedom. Meanwhile, The Lost – a gang of rebellious, forever-young outcasts – roam beneath the city, punished for their existence. Their fearless leader, Strat, ignites a passion in Raven that sparks a fiery, unstoppable romance. Fueled by the legendary music of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, this musical is pure rebellion, desire, and rock ‘n’ roll ecstasy wrapped into one unforgettable ride.
The complexity of Sloane, Raven’s mother, is particularly poignant. She is a woman who is torn – forever loving her daughter, longing for the passion and excitement of her youth, yet trapped in a loveless, suffocating marriage with Falco. Her journey is one of the most powerful emotional arcs in the show, adding layers of depth to what might otherwise be a simple rock musical.
And what would Bat Out of Hell be without its iconic music? The incredible hit songs including ‘Bat Out of Hell’, ‘Heaven Can Wait’, ‘You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth’, and many more – are woven seamlessly into the narrative, performed with an intensity that sends shivers down your spine. Every song is a powerhouse, bringing nostalgia and adrenaline in equal measure. It’s impossible to sit still while the anthems of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman explode through the theatre – this is music made for the stage, and it finds its perfect home here.
As an avid West End fan, I was initially dubious about seeing this touring production in a different light. Would it hold up? Would it carry the same magic? I could spend hours comparing it to previous productions, but the truth is – I don’t need to. Bat Out of Hell stands on its own, a testament to the timelessness of its music and story. If you love the work of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, this musical is a must-see. It’s a celebration of passion, power, and the sheer joy of rock ‘n’ roll theatre.
Standout Performances:
Strat – Glenn Adamson: A force to be reckoned with. Powerful, crazy, charming, and mysterious all in one – a truly mesmerizing performance.
Raven – Katie Tonkinson: Her vocals are nothing short of breathtaking, capturing both the innocence and rebellion of her character perfectly.
Jagwire – Ryan Carter: Precious and deeply emotional – you can feel the need, the lust, and the love in every note he sings.
Zahara – Georgia Bradshaw: An absolute powerhouse. Every song she delivers sends chills down your spine.
Sloane – Sharon Sexton: Huge voice, even bigger stage presence. A commanding performance.
Falco – Rob Fowler: OMG – those pink pants! But beyond that, he gives a stellar, charismatic performance that is both hilarious and heart-wrenching.
One of my personal highlights was having the band on stage – it adds an immersive quality that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a live rock concert.
Areas for Improvement:
While the show is an absolute spectacle, there were a few aspects that left me wanting more.
Set Design: I completely understand the logistical and financial constraints of a touring production, but the set felt underwhelming in parts. The world of Bat Out of Hell is meant to be larger than life, and I couldn’t help but feel like the grandeur was missing.
The Bike (Spoiler Alert!): Throughout the entirety of Act 2, the infamous motorbike was visible behind the band. It felt like an oversight that took away from the element of surprise.
Flight Cases as Props: This choice just didn’t work. It felt like the set hadn’t fully arrived, which pulled me out of the immersion at times.
Hand-Held Microphones: Why? In a show of this scale, the use of hand-held mics felt out of place and distracted from the performances.
Final Verdict:
Please go and see this musical! Whether it’s your first time or, like me, you’re reconnecting with an old spark, you will not be disappointed!
Review by Elisa Richards
*******
This heart-pounding experience, with a powerhouse eight-piece live band on stage, delivers a new production with sprawling multi-level platforms to transport you from Raven’s bedroom to the underground world of the Lost in a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of live theatre.
Headlining this epic production, we are thrilled to welcome back Glenn Adamson, Sharon Sexton, and Rob Fowler in the iconic roles of Strat, Sloane, and Falco, joined by the sensational Katie Tonkinson as Raven.
Their unmatched vocal talents will bring Meat Loaf’s anthems to life, including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and, of course, Bat Out of Hell.
Brace yourself for a legendary night of rock ‘n’ roll as BAT OUT OF HELL: The Musical explodes back onto the stage, promising a spectacle that will leave you breathless!
Starring Glenn Adamson as Strat, Katie Tonkinson as Raven, Rob Fowler as Falco, Sharon Sexton as Sloane, Georgia Bradshaw as Zahara, Ryan Carter as Jagwire, Carla Bertran as Tink, Luke Street as Ledoux and Carly Burns as Valkyrie. The cast is completed by Leo Abad, Peter Camilleri, Joshua Dever, Reece Duncan, Georgia Holland, Georgia Iudica-Davies, Natalie Pilkington, Harriet Richardson-Cockerline, Sophie-Rose Emery, Catherine Saunders, Ethan Tanner, Craig Watson, James Wilkinson-Jones and Beth Woodcock.
BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, additional choreography by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG, UK Tour casting by Anne Vosser and General Manage-ment by Julian Stoneman & Jack Maple for MPSI Ltd.
Bat Out Of Hell
The Alexandra, Birmingham
Performance(s): Mon 10 Feb – Sat 22 Feb 2025
2 hours 40 minutes incl. interval
Mon – Sat at 19:30
Wed and Sat at 14:30
Age guidance: Recommended for ages 13+ due to strong language and scenes of a sexual nature
Lead image credit: Glenn Adamson (centre) as Strat & the cast in BAT OUT OF HELL, credit Chris Davis Studio.
Bat Out of Hell the Musical at Alexandra Theatre