Bat Out Of Hell ~ UK Tour
Opera House, Manchester
I imagine I’m not alone when I say it is fantastic to be able to visit the theatre again after nearly 18 months of restrictions. As a lover of rock music, I decided there could only be one choice for my first back to the theatre. Based on the greatest hits of Jim Steinman and Meat loaf, this powerful rock n roll spectacular has returned to Manchester this month like a bat through the flames of hell. The show – which premiered here, at the Opera House, back in 2017 – literally opens with a crash of thunder, grabbing your attention straight down into the subway! Introducing you to the underground characters known as the “the ageless lost” who bring an air of Peter Pan, against a backdrop of heavy metal punk.
The introduction of the lead female character, Raven (Martha Kirby) the story takes on an all too familiar theme of a rebellious girl from the right side of the tracks meets the street urchin from the wrong side of the tracks, Strat (Glenn Adamson), fighting to be together. Under the dramatic lighting effects the performances of the actors in this production will have you on the edge of your seat with their powerful rendition of those legendary songs, each one carefully chosen for each point of the story. Capturing the immense energies of young love paralleled with lost opportunity which appeals to audiences of all ages. There touching presence of a love triangle between the two and Strat’s ‘soulmate’, Tink (Killian Thomas Lefevre) adds an extra dimension, as does the thrusting (somewhat literally) to the rebellious and rampant days of Raven’s parents, Falco (Rob Fowler) and Sloan (Sharon Sexton), also featuring elements of power and violence.Jon Bausor’s set and concept design ensures that we really feel part of the action and had a style of 80s and B-movies but on a bigger budget, making this an immersive spectacle.
The grand finale brings an element of audience participation which will have you dancing in your seat, making this an unforgettable night out and one that I will definitely be going to see again.
Featuring hits including All Revved Up With No Place To Go, Dead Ringer For Love, For Crying Out Loud, Heaven Can Wait, I’d Do Anything For Love and You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad and It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, and the earth-moving backing of the Bat band, led by Robert Emery, this show ensures you have a blast and leave feeling recharged and well and truly rocked.
