REVIEW: Bat Out of Hell

Meat Loaf’s power ballads are so iconic that it’s not hard to imagine this is a popular musical. And a show with an unusual target audience too – along with all the musical theatre fans, there was a distinctly notable number of middle-aged men in the audience. 

Apart from this, the first thing I noticed as I took my seat was the unconventional-looking set. And as the show began, it became clear that the creative team had produced something unlike anything I’d seen before in theatre: aside from the main stage section, there was another ‘room’ behind a sheet of mesh, and a videographer was recording the scenes inside the room (and occasionally outside). The live recording was shown on a large screen, high up at the back of the stage. The whole effect gave the show a lot of depth. Hats off to the videographer on stage and the director of videography because it was very well executed and creatively directed. The only downside to this is at times I didn’t know where to look as there was so much happening at once, which did lead to me missing a few key moments and some confusion.

From my perspective, I found the first five or ten minutes very confusing – for anyone not familiar with the plot of Bat Out Of Hell I imagine would encounter similar issues. I couldn’t work out (and still can’t, having seen the whole thing) what was happening, but I imagine if I were to see it again I would understand better. 

The plot itself, once it came to light, was pretty thin on the ground, as we have come to expect with musicals of this type. Very little actually happened and it is a story you could tell in a few words; although it’s not a story I would particularly choose to tell. I felt the characters were quite two-dimensional – but through no fault of the director or actors, who were just phenomenal. 

Meat Loaf was an incredible singer and his songs were written to show off his range and power. This production required actors who could match that and they did not disappoint. Their acting was also outstanding, but the execution of every single song was superb, and along with the pit band, the lighting and overall production they gave a true theatrical, mighty performance. My favourite character was Sloane, played by Sharon Sexton. Aside from being dramatic, the show had its fair share of comedic moments, of which she had quite a few, and her acting was fantastic. I could pick out each actor for their voices and acting though, the talent on that stage was undeniable and I am jealous of anyone with a set of lungs like that.

I felt one directorial decision I would change was the movement of the motorbike. I don’t think I was supposed to be laughing during the most theatrical and dramatic power ballads, but when the characters would leap onto the motorcycle, singing their hearts out, only for it to crawl at a snail’s pace across the stage, it did seem quite comedic. I understand they probably aren’t allowed to have it speed across, but I think it would have been better stationary. The songs were also very long as they seemed to include the entirety of each Meat Loaf song, however I don’t suppose this would be a downside for most Meat Loaf fans!

REVIEWER: Rosie