Book, Music and Lyrics: Jim Steinman
The award winning musical now playing at the Sunderland Empire Theatre, Bat Out Of Hell, features the music, lyrics and book by the late Jim Steinman and the late Meat Loaf’s greatest hits.
Jim Steinman was an American composer, lyricist and record producer. Amongst his song writing partnerships were Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black. He wrote albums, amongst others, for Meat Loaf. This included Bat Out Of Hell, one of the best selling albums of all time.
This album series contributes to this high energy musical, which quite honestly feels more like a concert, especially with the addition of hand held microphones.
The musical premiered in 2017 and has toured internationally and across the UK, as well as playing in the West End. For those who have seen the original version, and there were several in the audience tonight, this version returns as a new production.
The plot is a loose retelling of Peter Pan with a sprinkling of Romeo and Juliet. It follows the forever young Strat (Glenn Adamson) who falls in love with Raven (Katie Tonkinson). Raven is the daughter of Falco (Rob Fowler) and Sloane (Sharon Sexton). Falco is the tyrannical leader of the city. He is powerful and doesn’t like the group of forever young teenagers, The Lost, led by Strat. He is outraged at his daughter for falling in love with Strat and tries everything in his power to stop the relationship.
The Lost inhabit a disused subway, this tunnel is the focus of the set with Raven’s bedroom upstage right on a platform. The orchestra are based fully in sight upstage left with a couple of ‘loose’ musicians strangely in Raven’s bedroom. There is also videography playing at all times which can be quite distracting. This videography shows live action, mainly from Raven’s bedroom. The camera operator often blocking the scene. This reviewer wonders why it was even necessary.
The spectacular visuals and music make up for the plot which is a bit disjointed. The cast is incredible with outstanding vocals doing justice to the late Meat Loaf’s songs. The choreography by Xena Gusthart is fantastic with appropriate costumes by Jon Bauser.
There were several stand out performances. This reviewer particularly enjoyed Georgia Bradshaw as Zahara and Ryan Carter as Jagwire. Their duet was fantastic. In fact every time Carter sang it left you breathless – such amazing vocals.
The real life and onstage husband and wife team, Fowler and Sexton, are a great foil for each other. The chemistry between them at times is electric. Their rendition of Paradise By The Dashboard Light was a show stopper. Adamson is charismatic and oozes confidence. He belts out the timeless songs of Meat Loaf with ease. Tonkinson delivers her vocals confidently and the intimate scenes between her and Strat are thrilling.
The whole show feels like a Meat Loaf concert as hit after hit such as I’d Do Anything For Love, Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out Of Three Aint Bad, Dead Ringer For Love and Bat Out Of Hell are all belted out.
This is rock opera at its best and Meat Loaf fans won’t be disappointed. A rousing standing ovation at the finale was well justified for this amazing ensemble cast.
Runs until 23rd August 2025
