I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that. What won’t you do to get a ticket to see this phenomimcal show that brings to life the legendary hits of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf? This critically acclaimed production Bat Out of Hell – The Musical is currently in Milton Keynes for two weeks.
The electrifying rock songs of Jim Steinman propel an epic story of rebellious youth and passion as Strat, the immortal leader of The Lost, has fallen in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the tyrannical ruler Falco. This futuristic love story is hard to explain but Glenn Adamson who plays Strat tells us ‘A group of teens have been frozen at the age of eighteen and can’t age past that point. But Raven manages to evade the virus and to age. She meets Strat, one of ‘the Lost’, and we follow their love story’. Bat Out of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide and then 16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).
The songs are so theatrical and anthemic; you just don’t get songs any bigger. They include You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love. With huge songs like this, we need a huge production and boy do we get one. This show has everything – fire, screens, great sets, amazing outfits, humour, drama, great use of lighting, motorbikes and even an ongoing video which is projected onto the big screen. This means the actors not only have to acknowledge the audience but also the camera. The whole cast are exceptional and I especially loved the choreography. Some fantastic numbers and very tight coordinated dancing which really brings the songs to life.
Glenn Adamson plays Strat who is the leader of the lost. Glenn demands your attention and with his bare chest and punk antics he reminds me of a cross between a young Iggy Pop and Kiefer Sutherlands’ character, David from The Lost Boys. Glenn is most definitely a showman and you can’t help but watch what he might do next. I have reviewed him previously in American Idiot so I knew he would be good, but he performed his ass off!
Martha Kirby plays Raven. Her performance is very believable in this futuristic world and her chemistry with Glenn is palpable. Poor Raven – with a drunk mother and a controlling father, she is bound to rebel. Martha portrays this perfectly.
Falco is the ‘baddie’ who controls not only his family, but the streets too. He would kill anyone who gets in his way. Tonight, the alternate cover, Jamie Jukes plays Falco and he was outstanding in the role. Jamie gives us a rather sexy dad who can see his world unravelling and is trying desperately to hold on to what he can. His wife, Sloane, is played by Laura Johnson (another alternate cover). Laura is amazing and we can feel her pain as she struggles in her loveless marriage and worries about losing her daughter. Laura’s voice is so fabulous that I believe if Meat was still with us, he would happily duet with her.
Bat Out of Hell dedicates this tour to the memory of Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away last year and Meat Loaf who passed away at the beginning of this year.
This show is one not to miss – you will leave feeling you have seen the most amazing production with a fantastic cast and supporting band, you could not ask for more. You want it. You need it. And I won’t say two out of three ain’t bad because you’re gonna love it!
Bat Out of Hell plays at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 25 June.