Premiering in Manchester in 2017, Bat Out of Hell has captivated audiences ever since. With the iconic music of Jim Steinman, made legendary by Meat Loaf, this jukebox musical has garnered a passionate and loyal global fan base. However, this latest production unfortunately falls short of doing justice to its legendary score.
Loosely inspired by the story of Peter Pan, we find ourselves in a dystopian post-apocalyptic era where a tribe known as The Lost find their age frozen at 18. The city’s leader Falco (Rob Fowler) is furious when his daughter Raven (Katie Tonkinson) falls for Strat (Glenn Adamson), the leader of The Lost. Beyond this the plot, and associated script, is a little confusing to follow. However, audiences flock to the show not for the story, but for two key reasons: the music and spectacle
The iconic songs have never sounded better, with the music itself being the standout element of this production. Backed by an electrifying onstage band, the cast are sensational in their every vocal performance. Adamson and Tonkinson lead with powerhouse vocals, setting a high bar for the rest of the cast, who more than rise to the challenge. Ryan Carter steals the show completely as Jagwire, with an effortless blend of rock star and velvety smooth vocals, that will pull you in with every spinetingling riff.
The musical performances alone are sadly not enough to save the show when both the production and book are both lacking. Once known for its extravagant and exciting set, this version feels more like a staged concert with a few basic set pieces, alongside an onstage band, to fill the space. This was only amplified by the strange use of handheld microphones throughout the entire show. Whilst these would have worked for some of the songs, their use for the acted scenes felt jarring, creating a barrier between the performers and the audience.
Despite the exceptional cast, the other elements aren’t on the same level and ultimately let this production down. While the die-hard fans will continue to flock to the show, it sadly falls short of attracting new audiences in its current form. However, if you want to hear an incredibly talented cast sing Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s timeless music then there is a lot to be enjoyed still in the performances.
Bat Out Of Hell is on at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 08 March 2025. See below for booking infomation.
Note: My ticket was gifted in exchange for an honest an review.