The iconic, almost five-decade, partnership between Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf produced some of the most dramatic melodies and lyrics of a generation. Where else could you, almost unquestioningly, expect the words “On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?”
And Bat out of Hell – The Musical reassuringly delivers exactly the right amount of bonkers, high-energy performance you’d hope for in a homage to that legacy. This is a love story, set in the dystopia of ‘Obsidian’, ruled by the darkly authoritarian Falco (Rob Fowler).
Falco’s daughter, Raven (Katie Tonkinson), is in love with our hero, Strat, played by the incredible Glenn Adamson, who is every inch the unhinged rock and roll star—crazy-eyed and living on the edge, with the possibility of careering off it at any given moment. His voice is mind-blowing—tackling the operatic heights of Steinman’s anthems with ease.
This is musical theatre on steroids, yet it remains completely faithful to the original songs. It’s right that the audience might feel protective of the original source material, but we’re in safe hands here, the narrative is so cleverly woven around the storytelling lyrics, and neither does it take itself too seriously. Steinman’s signature and deliciously smutty humour is all there: “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” performed by Falco and his wife, Sloane (played by the absolute diva Sharon Sexton), made us all feel like accidental voyeurs as they romped towards the song's, erm, climax, atop a Cadillac.
And nothing is lost in the audience's favourites either: "I Would Do Anything For Love (but I won't do that)" and the now TikTok-famous "It's All Coming Back To Me Now", as well as the title song, are all given star treatment in soaring choruses and mind-blowing harmonies. This is no jukebox musical in the usual sense.
The ensemble is backed by an eight-piece live band who nail the soaring power chords, while the costume and lighting design are visually stunning. The show also makes use of on-stage filming, which adds to the intensity and, at times, is almost reminiscent of that grainy old footage of Meat Loaf’s live performances back in the day.
It's not often that a show gives me actual goosebumps, but this genuinely did. I saw Meat Loaf live twice as a teenager, and it occurs to me that, aside from the nostalgia of my mum’s choice of tape on long car journeys, I have always been drawn to the theatricality of the music. He genuinely put his all into his performances, and the cast not only embody that same energy and passion, but also take it to the next level. At some points, I could, quite literally, feel my own heart beating—but, thankfully, it didn’t come flying out of my chest in response…
Borrowing a quote from another absolute icon: it’s only rock and roll, but I like it.
Bat out of Hell – The Musical plays at Cheltenham until Saturday 5 April before continuing on its UK tour to Glasgow and beyond.