Headlining this epic production, were Luke Street, Harriet- Richardson Cockerline, and Rob Fowler in the iconic roles of Strat, Sloane, and Falco, joined by the sensational Katie Tonkinson as Raven. Their unmatched vocal talents bought the Meat Loaf’s anthems to life, including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and, of course, Bat Out of Hell.
The setting is In a dystopian future, Manhattan — now renamed Obsidian which has become a desolate wasteland lorded over by ruthless dictator and businessman Falco (Rob Fowler) from his Trump-like tower, with his will enforced by a violent riot squad.
Down among the detritus of the city live “The Lost”, a group of kids whose DNA is permanently frozen at 18-years-old following the “chemical wars”, and who are a thorn in the side of Falco Industries’ plans to develop the city. Among The Lost is the tormented Strat, who is in love with Falco’s daughter Raven, who herself is just about to turn 18 but destined, unlike Strat, to carry on ageing.
As the lost boys and girls flee into the tunnels below the city from its ruler Falco, his teenage daughter Raven locks eyes with the fearless leader of the Lost, the immortal Strat, and the immensity of their love-at-first-sight-obsessions threatens to destroy both of their families.
The story starts its life as Neverland, the futuristic rock world of Peter Pan. Its core feature was rebellious, angst driven teenagers who didn’t want to grow up. It continues this theme as we meet Strat, leader of the group known as The Lost, whose DNA were frozen as teenagers. Living in exile in the underground subway tunnels of a dystopian city, they are despised by its oppressive leader Falco and deemed dangerous creatures who have no place in his vision of Utopia. In fact, he plans to demolish the subways. Falco not only bully The Lost, but also his wife Sloane and daughter Raven, he believes it is for their own protection. He has kept Raven prisoner all these years, forbidding her to step foot outside Falco Towers for ‘her own safety,’ and controlling her thoughts with dream supressing medication.
So, when Strat and Raven meet and fall in love, Falco believes he must do whatever it takes to ensure they are kept apart. What follows is a series of plot twists, betrayals, kidnappings, battles, unrequited love stories, tests of friendships, abuse of power and the chance to start over – all in the name of love!
This is a tale of unrequited love between kids from different sides of the track, with a parent determined to keep them apart. This show was totally about the music and the spectacular way in which the songs are staged. Jim Steinman’s work lends itself perfectly to a theatrical setting.
Director Jay Scheib threw every theatrical trick into the mix, with staging that was a constant and thrilling assault on the senses, including fire flames and explosions of various particles.
Street is flawless, as he reaches stratospheric dimensions with his songs, injecting them with his own adrenalin fuelled vision and quite literally has the entire theatre bouncing! He is dripping with testosterone, as he permeates the air with rebellious intent, and he rips the sound barrier apart with his torpedo interpretations, leaving you electric, alive, and lost for words.
Fowler as Falco is domineering, foul, and fabulous, creating a strong identifiable character that we can all unite against. He oozes power, arrogance, and privilege, yet equally brings us humour in abundance.
The live eight-piece band were fabulous, transporting the Leeds Grand Theatre into the rebellious realms of Rock and Roll. Guitar chords vibrated the foundations of the building, before being absorbed into our pounding hearts. Drums drove pulsating rhythms into our veins, striking out through our hands and feet and we matched the beat of the show. This is live music at its best and serves to marry musical theatre with a rock concert.
The cast not only belted out some of the most challenging songs to date, but did it over a multi-tiered set, reminiscent of a bohemian style play centre! Scrapbooked together in an imperfectly perfect way, Jon Bausor has designed a revolutionary fairy tale world, befitting of a future stained with the shards of a broken misplaced youth, nestled alongside oppressive wealth. A luxurious apartment nestles alongside the underworld of The Lost, and has even been designed to house the band, ensuring that the musicians are given the spotlight they deserve. The show also used live camera feeds and handheld microphones.
In summary ‘Bat Out of Hell’ was a spectacular performance that was complimented by excellent vocals, music and stage settings with special effects that exploded onto the stage, and all in all delivered a spectacle show that left me quite breathless!
Reviewer - Debbie Jennings
On - 22042025
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