Book, Music and Lyrics: Jim Steinman
Director: Jay Scheib
There’s no denying that Jim Steinman can write a tune, boy can he do this, and the saving grace of this musical is the fantastically carried out music, however as to his potential in writing the ebook for a coherent and cohesive fashionable musical…err…no. You can’t assist assume that his music would have been higher served by a extra sure-handed script author.
Loosely (very loosely) primarily based on Peter Pan, Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell is ready within the post-apocalyptic, dystopian metropolis of Obsidian the place Strat, the chief of “The Lost” a tribe of endlessly youngsters that roam the deserted subway tunnels, falls for Raven, the daughter of tyrannical ruler Falco. Needless to say the trail of real love doesn’t run easily.
Now all that stated, there may be little probability that you’d decide up on the storyline from the shambolic and at occasions, cringe-inducing script delivered on stage.
One of the most important points with the manufacturing is the usage of hand-held mics. At first it seems that there have been technical points which have necessitated their use, however no, this can be a directorial selection as there are clearly head mics and wired mics on present too. While it could possibly be argued that it’s to evoke a extra rock live performance vibe, frankly, it’s infuriatingly distracting as actors move mics from hand handy and from one to a different, it detracts from immersing you within the story and hinders the choreography.
The multi-levelled staging is just about mounted, with props often transferring out and in, the reside band are raised on the highest degree of the set together with Raven’s bed room, the sewer tunnels making up the decrease degree. The lighting, as befits a dystopian metropolis, is darkish and moody.
The most constructive facet of the entire endeavour is the music, delivered with the amps turned to 11, by a well-drilled reside band. The vocals are universally wonderful, particularly Luke Street who shines as Strat and Ryan Carter as Jagwire.
If you’re in search of a musical with a fantastically gripping storyline then this perhaps isn’t the present for you, however for heart-pounding music, delivered with power and dedication from a first-class band and forged, then get alongside to Bat Out of Hell.
Runs till 12 April 2025 | Image: Chris Davis Studio 2
Leave a Reply