There is no denying the electric energy of the production is irresistible – but the plot feels unnecessarily muddled.
On leaving the New Victoria Theatre in Woking having seen this touring production of Bat Out of Hell – it is safe to say that I left with a range of feelings. These ranged from the exhilaration of the performances and incredible energy the whole production has – combined with confusion about the plot and uncertainty of whether it is trying to be a musical or concert.
The musical is set in a post-apocalyptic future in a city in which a group of teenagers known as The Lost live in the disused subway tunnels, while the city is rule by the tyrannical Falco, who lives with his wife Sloane and teenage daughter Raven. One evening as The Lost are protesting outside Falco’s apartment block, Raven catches a glimpse of Scat, The Lost’s leader – with the pair instantly falling for each other.
What follows is a story of rebellion, power struggles and of course forbidden love – which is told with the help of Meatloaf’s iconic music. It does have a feel of an edgier version of Romeo and Juliet – but unfortunately Jim Steinman’s book doesn’t allow for much character development, essentially meaning that you are never entirely sure how the characters end up where they are.
It is not helped by the fact that the production itself feels like a cross between a concert and a fully staged musical (it would have been great if there was a bit more of a set and that Raven’s bedroom wasn’t crammed into the corner of the stage) that can make it feel less easy to engage with as in the case of using handheld microphones that just felt like an odd decision.
However, the performances from both the musicians and the cast ensure that this is still an electrifying experience – with performances of ‘Love and Death and the American Guitar’ and ‘Bat Out of Hell’ nearly blowing the roof off the New Victoria Theatre. The audience is constantly swept along by the music that makes it impossible to resist – the drama and theatricality of Steinman’s music and lyrics is never in doubt.
In addition, it is a real surprise to see how in depth and emotional songs are that give the show its emotional core that you can’t help but react to. Particular stand outs in this regard include the renditions of ‘It’s All Coming back to Me Now’ , ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’ and ‘What Part of My Body Hurts the Most’. But sometimes it doesn’t feel that the story and music work in perfect harmony.
In terms of the performances from the cast, they deliver power and punch in equal measure. Luke Street as Strat delivers a phenomenal performance that showcases impressive vocals (and that is putting it lightly!) that would make Meatloaf proud in the way in which he delivers these iconic songs, while also showcasing amazing acrobatics (which truly need to be seen to be believed) – he had a true sense of the meaning behind the songs.
But equally, he has a wonderful chemistry with Katie Tonkinson as Raven, who manages to get the character’s sense of rebellion against her father’s strict rules, with a hint of vulnerability spot on. Rob Fowler is a powerful presence as Falco, while Harriet Richardson-Cockerline as Sloane is both sassy and detailed in her portrayal as the story unfolds. The whole ensemble manage to make an impact, consistent in their energy levels and commitment to ensuring that audience is thoroughly entertained.
Overall, while the plot and elements of this production don’t quite work as well as they could, Bat Out of Hell is worth watching for the performances and the music that will ensure that the audience entertained nonetheless.
By Emma Clarendon
Bat out of Hell continues to play at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until the 10th May, before continuing to tour
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️