Bat Out Of Hell Rocks The Wolves Grand

I feel that this review should come with a disclaimer. I am not a Meat Loaf fan. The odd song here and there is fine, but a whole musical full of them…really not for me, or so I thought. This is definitely a review that I approached with trepidation. But I really shouldn’t have worried. Jim Steinman’s songs, which have always had a theatrical, epic edge, have totally found their natural home in theatre. They sound incredible, particularly when performed by a cast with the verve and the talent of this one. Bat Out of Hell is a must see. It’s as simple as that.

This is a modern day Peter Pan story with leading man Strat serving as the boy who will never grow old, the leader of the ‘lost’, Raven stands in for Wendy, we even get a Tink. The Lost live in the sewers, deemed to never grow old due to the fallout from some nuclear event that had genetically frozen them to the age that they were at the time it happened. The problems arise when Strat and Raven fall in love, a problem because Raven is the daughter of the brutal leader  Falco who terrorises the Lost. However, the couple do have allies, Raven’s mother Sloane, who wants her daughter to find true love, and Zahara, who works as a nurse for Falco, whilst secretly being a member of The Lost. Will love conquer all? Who knows, but you’ll get to listen to a lot of classic songs as you watch to find out.

As a whole, this cast give some of the most impressive vocal performances you will hear in theatre. Stand outs include the incredible Glenn Adamson as Strat and Kate Tonkinson as Raven performing a memorable Bat out of Hell (the staging of this is incredible), the hilarious Paradise by the Dashboard light, performed with verve by the brilliant Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton as Falco and Sloane, reminiscing their early relationship in uproarious style. Dead Ringer for Love is another highlight, a brilliant duet between Zahara (Georgia Bradshaw) and Jagwire (Ryan Carter). My favourite ensemble piece was the joyous faux wedding scene of ‘You took the words right out of my mouth’ which was just a joy.

The staging of this whole musical is incredible, from a live band on the stage throughout, to the use of large screens for close ups of the action that give this a real cinematic feel. At times, it feels like you are watching an actual concert, this is a real spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. By the time we reach the classic ‘I’d do anything for love, but I won’t do that’, the whole audience is just rocking.

Seriously good entertainment, a theatrical must see. Jim Steinman’s music has found its natural home.

Wolves Grand, until 19th July

Click here for ticket information

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