Bat Out Of Hell Review

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Last night, I stepped into the Regent Theatre  in Stoke On Trent and was immediately transported into a world of leather, fire, and epic rock anthems with Bat Out of Hell: The Musical. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if a rock concert and a post-apocalyptic love story all came together an had a baby, and then read the story of Peter Pan to the baby at bedtime, this show is it. And what a spectacular, chaotic and unforgettable baby it is.

Bat Out of Hell is based on the iconic 1977 album by Meat Loaf, written and composed by the late, great Jim Steinman. The musical is a tribute to their lifelong collaboration. Steinman’s over the top, operatic songwriting and Meat Loaf’s powerhouse voice and eccentric stage presence were a match made in theatrical rock heaven. Together, they created some of the most dramatic and beloved songs in rock history.

I first discovered Meat Loaf when “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” hit number one in the ’90s. That song was like a gateway drug that sent me diving into my parents’ vinyl collection, and what I found was pure gold! Epic rock ballads, nine minute songs about motorcycles and heartbreak, guitars being smashed against the wall, and a voice that was strange, powerful, and somehow completely captivating. That’s the magic of Meat Loaf! He was very bizarre, but impossible to ignore.

And that same magic was alive and roaring on stage last night. The vocals were quite simply some of the best I’ve ever heard in a musical. Every single performer brought the drama and the power needed to do justice to Steinman’s thunderous compositions. From “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” to “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”, the cast nailed every high note and every bit of heartache.

But what really set this show apart was the live band. Positioned right there on stage, they weren’t just an accompaniment. They were part of the story, part of the atmosphere. You felt the music in your chest. It was raw, loud, and completely exhilarating.

Visually the production was just as wild. Think neon lights, leather jackets, motorbikes, and a love story that’s part Romeo and Juliet, part Mad Max & part Peter Pan. It was over the top in the best way, and a perfect match for the music brought to us by Meatloaf!

In short, if you’re a fan of rock musicals, or if you’ve ever screamed along to “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth”, you need to see this show. It’s a heart thumping, high octane tribute to the legacy of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, two larger than life legends who redefined what rock and roll could sound like on stage.

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bat Out of Hell will be showing at The Regent Theatre in Hanley until Saturday 5th July.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.atgtickets.com or by calling the Regent Theatre Box Office on 08448 717649.