Bat Out of Hell: ESP Review
New Theatre, Peterborough
The award-winning musical, Bat Out of Hell, has stopped off at Peterborough's New Theatre for five nights. ESP was invited to check it out on its opening night which featured a motorcycle drive-by to kick things off ahead of the performance. Kelly Jackson reviews the show...
On leaving the theatre after watching the performance, one word came immediately to mind – outstanding!
The hit musical is a love story set against the backdrop of the iconic music and lyrics of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf. You’ll be singing along in your head and furiously tapping your toes as a string of Meat Loaf’s greatest hits blast out one after another, including the title song Bat Out of Hell, Dead Ringer for Love, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad and the number one ballad, I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).
I didn’t know anything about the plot beforehand, but this didn’t stop me from being immediately drawn into the storyline. Like any good love story, the musical gives the audience plenty of action, drama, heart-stopping moments and emotional scenes.
It follows Strat and Raven, two young people who fall in love in a dystopian future. Strat is part of a group of youngsters known as ‘The Lost’, whose DNA froze causing them to remain 18 forever.
Raven is the only daughter of the city’s tyrannical leader, Falco, who despises The Lost and forbids her from fraternising with them. Elements of the show have similarities to the 80s film ‘The Lost Boys’, with the gang living underground in abandoned subways and riding around on motorcycles.
This production features two homegrown actors: the fantastic Glenn Adamson, who plays Strat, and Rob Fowler, who portrays Falco. The incredible talent of both actors (who got into performing through the Kindred Theatre drama group at the Key Theatre), shines through in every scene. In fact, all the actors have strong, powerful voices that not only do the songs of Meat Loaf justice, but also bring out the passion of the lyrics.
Featuring an eight-piece live band on stage, this is one show that’s not to be missed. If you only treat yourself to one musical this year, make sure you see this epic production at the New Theatre.
It’s showing until Saturday March 22, but tickets are limited so be quick – because if you’re not, then ‘like a bat out of Hell they’ll be gone when the morning comes’.
Get your tickets at www.newtheatre-peterborough.com
Kelly Jackson
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