On Tuesday, 11th July 2017, I was able to see a performance of Bat Out of Hell: the Musical in the London Coliseum. I was fortunate enough to be able to see the full original cast for the show, with no understudies performing that evening. This is ... I guess it's a review, but I don't think it's a typical one, if that will make any sense to you.
There isn't really a plot to this show, there's hardly any dialogue. It's an excuse to sing - really well - some of Steinman's most popular songs that he wrote for Meat Loaf. It also seems to be an excuse for him to use elements of his Neverland musical that never was (hence the whole thing with The Lost and their leader who looks a bit like an older version of the 2003 live action Peter Pan...)
Christina Bennington as Raven and Andrew Polec as Strat |
Yeah, if I'm completely honest? Raven and Strat are not the rock kids whose story I want to follow. While there's a lot in the concept of Strat - the 'leader' of a group of forever teens who seems to be somehow looking to at least mature emotionally if he can't do it physically - I personally found Raven to fall very flat as a character. She comes out with a few pretenious statements that I think we are meant to see as deep and is otherwise enclosed in her tower. Had the story centered around the idea of Strat's empathy wanting to free this girl from her imprisonment and not their whole love story? I think I would have been more into it. Though of course they had to close with I Would Do Anything for Love...
To be very clear: Beinngton and Polec do as much as they can with the little plot there is, and their chemistry on-stage is undeniable. Vocally they are really amazing and to be able to perform those songs in the manner they do is something that's just amazing to watch, and I'd happily do it again because it really is such a delight to listen too ... It's just that my heart was stolen by a couple of rebel rebels in the West End 12 years ago, and I don't think there'll ever be a rock musical that'll do it the way they did.
ALL THAT BEING SAID? I do actually think you should check out Bat Out of Hell. It's a fun way to spend a few hours in London, and it closes 22nd August to move to Toronto with the cast. Thus far there's no news of a cast recording, but here's hoping.
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