'Bat Out of Hell', 17/04/2018; a review.
On
Tuesday 17th of April 2018, I saw – well,
'witnessed' somehow seems a more appropriate term in this case – 'Bat Out of Hell'.
Jim Steinman's stunning musical featuring Meat Loaf's greatest hits has made its official - and very triumphant - return to London's West End. After its successful spell in the Coliseum last year, the show is now filling the historic Dominion Theatre with its electrifying energy and operatic sounds.
Jim Steinman's stunning musical featuring Meat Loaf's greatest hits has made its official - and very triumphant - return to London's West End. After its successful spell in the Coliseum last year, the show is now filling the historic Dominion Theatre with its electrifying energy and operatic sounds.
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
'Bat
Out of Hell went on to become one of the most successful and iconic
rock albums of all time; but it was originally written as a musical.
40 years after its release, Jim Steinman’s
exhilarating tale of star-crossed lovers ‘changed the way musicals
are staged forever’ (North West End) as a boundary-pushing
spectacle featuring thrilling performances of legendary hits by Jim
Steinman and Meat
Loaf.'
(source: From the Box Office)
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
The
musical tells the story of the forever-young Strat and
his wild gang The Lost, who live in the
streets of OBSIDIAN (a post-apocalyptic Manhattan), under
the rule of the (evil but sexy) tyrant Falco. Strat falls hard for
Falco’s daughter, Raven – and rock ‘n’ roll rebellion
madness ensues.
The
musical’s songbook boasts 17 of Meat
Loaf’s biggest hits, including ‘I’d
Do Anything for Love’, ‘You
Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth’ –
and ‘Bat
Out of Hell’, obvs. But
they make you wait for the latter – by the time the interval came
round, the audience were audibly gagging for that brilliant track!
And the first few notes caused some excitable stirring when they
finally played...
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
I
am actually going to flip my
usual review 'structure' (ha) on its head right now, and
talk about the set of
this show first. Because it was THAT
GOOD.
There
wasn't just a set within a set - a massive base with
a second level used as Raven's bedroom within Falco
Tower - but also a screen upon which various scenes would be
projected, shot live by professionals with cameras who followed
actors around quietly onstage, which then became
another bit of set when the screen fell and a rocky cave was
revealed...!? Jon Bausor's designs are truly amazing.
Ever wondered how a set is built from scratch? Well hold onto your rock'n'roll lovin' hats...this is the creation of @BATtheMusical at the @DominionTheatre 🤘— Bat Out Of Hell (@BatTheMusical) April 15, 2018
🙌 One Word = WOW 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qAq05okRKu
Then there was rocky terrain at the edges of the stage the
actors would often jump and dance on, which obscured the band a bit (and apparently endangered the trumpet and cello players
and conductor at one point...you'll have to see the show to
understand that, I'm not spoiling!).
The
lighting was also brilliant, and of course there was a fair bit of
fire and flashing. I mean, how could there not be?
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
I've written before about the specific, and often strange, crushes I
develop when seeing productions, but this show had me head over heels
for the entire cast. Strat (Andrew Polec) and Raven (Christina
Bennington), the leads, were obviously high on my list - their scene
serenading each other in her bedroom actually made me blush - but
then Raven's parents Falco (Rob Fowler) and Sloane (Sharon Sexton)
were also out-of-this-world gorgeous. Their sad, sexless union was hilarious to begin with, but by the end we the audience were all
desperate for them to work it out.
Then
there was Tink, who was so damn cute...for the most part. I won't
lie, I straight up hated his character at one specific point in the
show. Although the understudy we saw in this production, Joseph Peacock (thanks for identifying him, Christina B!), was gorgeous - and so pure.
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
Paris
and I agreed; the leads were amazing and their chemistry was spot
on...but when Zaharah (Danielle Steers) and Jagwire (Wayne Robinson)
were onstage alongside them, they stole the show and then
some.
I
was totally taken with Zahara the second she stepped onstage, but
when she brought this enormous, hot and soulful voice seemingly right
from the pit of her stomach, I swooned in my seat. Her scenes and
songs with Jagwire were a definite highlight.
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
My life will never be as good as it was when I was watching Bat Out Of Hell. I will be old and in a rocking chair, telling my grandchildren to go and see it. My soulmate is Meatloaf, and also Ravens Dad. 🦇🔥— P (@ParisEnyaTate) April 17, 2018
Last but not least, the costumes were absolutely astonishing. I was in serious danger of being distracted from the dramatics now and again due to the outrageous outfits every cast member was sporting. My favourite might have to be Sloane, Raven's mama; she sparkled in sequins and then shocked in silk! (Excellent work, Bausor and Nielsen.)
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
This production is quite simply incredible. It's like nothing I've ever seen before in the West End. Maybe that's why it's won Best Musical at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and why every seat was filled on a weeknight - that is, until the very end when every audience member leapt up to cheer, applaud and even sing a little, as the cast assembled to bow.
(source: batoutofhellmusical.com)
WARNING: this
show is not for the faint-hearted. It contains gunshot sound effects,
strobe lighting, as well as flame and haze effects. Also, it's just
generally LOUD and rockin' the whole way through.
Get
your tickets now, at From
the Box Office!
It's
on Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm;
additional
shows Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30pm.
Thanks for an epic night, @BatTheMusical. 🖤— Grace Latter (@_gracelatter) April 17, 2018
Review to come TOMORROW!
🦇🔥@FrmtheBoxoffice pic.twitter.com/U2hyHuCght
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