REVIEW: Bat Out of Hell – The Musical

© Chris Davis Studio

A blistering high-tempo musical based on one of the world’s bestselling rock opera albums makes a triumphant return to the West Midlands stage.

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical is now playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Meat Loaf’s landmark record was released just before Halloween in 1977 and it set a new benchmark for rock music by successfully and sensationally mixing a whole number of styles - blues, rock, opera, goth, and even metal - which continues to inspire and influence pioneering musicians, artists and writers to this day.

The songs on the landmark album were written by Jim Steinman who had developed the material from a musical called Neverland which he had composed for a workshop. This dystopian and gritty version of Peter Pan is mined for the story that unfolds in the thrilling rock opera Bat Out of Hell - The Musical.

Steinman provides the book, music and lyrics for this thrilling musical. This show is more than a jukebox musical. It has heart, soul, wit, love and passion.

In a post-apocalyptic world, where the rich elite live in luxury in their opulent residences and the poor and downtrodden live in tunnels choked with vice and violence, two young people from across these social divides fall in love and defy their respective backgrounds for a cosmic cause.

Raven, the daughter of the dictator Falco who runs the city with an iron fist, is entranced and drawn to the forbidden delights – and freedom – offered by those who live far below in the derelict subterranean subways.

Raven’s passionless existence at the home of her oppressive father is suddenly shaken and disturbed when her path crosses with that of Strat who haunts the underbelly of the city. The caged Raven spreads her wings and she dares to fly away to chase dangerous thrills and seductive pleasures in the abyss where Strat and his gang play.

Strat is a youthful and rebellious Peter Pan figure with his Lost Boys who are a bunch of misfits who haunt the desolate landscape of the damned. The gang gets up to all kinds of intoxicating mischief and sexy fun.

The show is packed with dark drama that is not afraid to touch on topics such as the vast chasm of inequality between the rich and poor, injustice, totalitarianism, corruption, and misinformation.

However, the show is not all about doom and gloom; the material also includes comedy, sizzling dancing, and some astounding singing that heats up the theatre with passion and glitz.

Talking of glitz, the show is a dazzling circus of delights with sets and costumes by Jon Bausor that are breathtaking. Add some very spicy dancing by Xena Gusthart and gorgeous lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe and you have a night to remember.

The introduction of a cameraman, who films segments of the shows which are live beamed onto a screen, is distracting and unnecessary. This gimmick results in robbing the show of some poignant and dramatic moments, and the stage ends up becoming a bit cluttered. Sometimes less is more because it allows the audience to home in on the emotions and delicate moments.

The iconic motorcycle – which forms a key component of the album cover art by Richard Corben, while the sound of the motorcycle’s roaring engine is referenced in some of the tracks on the record – makes a triumphant appearance on the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s stage.

All of the much-loved Meat Loaf songs from the timeless album are present and correct in the show, and the material is sung with real power and passion. Stadium anthems such as Dead Ringer for Love and Bat Out of Hell jostle perfectly with power ballads such as I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.

Katie Tonkinson (Raven) and Glenn Adamson (Strat) share a fiery chemistry that generates some spectacular heat which drives the audience into a frenzy of appreciation. Adamson vocals and movements are athletic in this production while Tonkinson provides an earthy and soulful energy which sends shivers of delight down the spine.

The rest of the cast is also full of fiery allure that keeps pulses racing as the songs and dance numbers whizz by in a melodic kaleidoscope. Carla Bertran (Tink) is fizzy and full of cheeky mischief, Georgia Bradshaw (Zahara) is a beautiful and stunning force of nature whose performance is full of summer heat, Rob Fowler (Falco) brings a chilling vibe to his role, Sharon Sexton (Sloane) is commanding – and mesmerising - and kudos to Wolverhampton’s Sophie-Rose Emery who steps forward and puts her own unique stamp on the character of Valkyrie.

A line in one of the songs in this throbbing hot musical asks: “On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?” And the answer is an immediate and sultry yes.

Hell, yes!

During this hot July theatre season, if there’s one show that’s sure to set your pulse racing it’s this one.

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical is one hell of a hot show.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical is now playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 19^th July 2025