As a woman of a certain age, I vividly remember in the early 1990’s as a youngster we had Sky TV installed and discovering MTV. I spent so many hours with friends singing, dancing and being enthralled by music videos that were infinitely better than Top of the Pops. One in particular has stayed with me. The seven minute and forty-eight second long I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t do That). This pop princess had her head turned by the gritty, rock power balled of Meat Loaf. Ever since then then I’ve been a fan, so when I found out Bat Out of Hell Musical was coming to Edinburgh’s Playhouse theatre I booked tickets.
About Bat Out of Hell Musical
Act one starts with a bang as Strat recalls his first encounter with rock and roll, shortly before his DNA was frozen causing him to remain eighteen forever. Set in a post-apocalyptic Manhatten (now Obsidian) we are introduced to “The Lost.” A rebellious gang of forever young teenagers. Strat and his pals Tink, Blake, Jagwire, Zahara and the rest of “The Lost” protest outside the residence of the tyrannical leader of Obsidian, Falco. He just happens to be Raven’s father.
During a scuffle at the protest Strat’s shirt is ripped from his back and when Raven goes out to retrieve it, the pair lock eyes. Raven’s mother, Sloane, then pulls the teen back safely indoors. There’s then the usual argument between parents and daughter about how that boy from the wrong side of town isn’t good for her. Oh and not forgetting the obligatory slamming of bedroom doors!
I won’t give away the full storyline but there’s Raven’s 18th birthday celebrations, parents getting it on as they reminisce about the good ol’ days and all the Jim Steinman/Meat Loaf songs we know and love to interlace the story together.
Cast
The 2025 tour sees the return of Glenn Adamson, Sharon Sexton, Rob Fowler and Katie Tonkinson to this award winning hit musical. Well loved characters returning to the stage.
- Glenn Adamson – Strat
- Katie Tonkinson – Raven
- Rob Fowler – Falco
- Sharon Sexton – Sloane
- Georgia Bradshaw – Zahara
- Ryan Carter – Jagwire
- Carla Bertran – Tink
- Luke Street – Ledoux
- Carly Burns – Valkyire
- Leo Abad – Denim
- Peter Camilleri – O’Dessasuite
- Joshua Dever – Hoffman
- Reece Duncan – Esquivel (Swing)
- Georgia Holland – Goddesilla (Swing)
- Georgia Iudica-Davies – Liebeshwoosh
- Natalie Pilkington – Kwaidan
- Harriet Richardson-Cockerline – Spinotti
- Sophie-Rose Emery – Scherzzo
- Catherine Saunders – Mordema (Swing)
- Ethan Tanner – Markevitch
- Craig Watson – Astroganger (Swing)
- James Wilkinson-Jones – Hollander
- Beth Woodcock – Vilmos
What I thought of the show
In short it reminded me of a cross between Romeo and Juliet (without the sad ending) and the epic 1980’s cult film the Lost Boys.
I struggled to get into it initially. It felt like I’d missed the first few minutes but as soon as the songs kick in, I was back in the room. The stage was set into Raven’s bedroom and the tunnels where The Lost were living. Two large screens above the set showed old school grainy close ups from the bedroom scenes. Although useful for those of us not right at the front, I found the camera operator distracting.
Hidden in plain sight were the fabulous musicians. Dimly lit above the tunnel and also behind the wardrobe, it was great to see talented musicians rather than have them hidden away. It is afterall, Bat Out of Hell Musical.
The love interest, Strat, with his long curly locks of hair definitely appealed to some of the ladies in the audience. Raising the roof with songs like: Making love out of nothing at all, It’s all coming back to me now, I’d do anything for love (but I won’t do that) and of course Bat out of hell.
From where we were sitting in the stalls (quite far back) I could still make out the incredibly detailed costumes each character wore. During Raven’s 18th birthday party scene, the actor playing Falco had a wardrobe malfunction where his trousers fell open and down! Like an absolute trooper he carried on with his script, clutching them tight to save his modesty. A couple of the cast came to his rescue and made a temporary fix with no fuss at all. Just in time for Falco to whip his trousers off in a big reveal of some rather shiny purple tighties for a “make out” scene with his wife Sloane. The show must go on and all that.
There are seventeen toe tapping hits from the trilogy of albums that make up this hit musical. I didn’t know them all.
There’s a reason this hit show has been touring the world since 2017. Las Vegas, New York, Germany, Australia. It is excellent. We enjoyed it. A brilliant couple of hours full on entertainment. Bat Out of Hell Musical is one hell of a show.
Bat Out of Hell Musical FAQ’s
How do I get tickets for Bat Out of Hell Musical?
The show has now finished it’s run at Edinburgh but you can buy tickets on the Kings Theatre website to see it in Glasgow.
What age is Bat Out of Hell Musical suitable for?
This production is recommended for 13yrs+. There is some swearing and scenes of a sexual nature but not an excessive amount.
How long is Bat Out of Hell Musical?
Run time 2hours 40 minutes including interval
When and Where is Bat Out of Hell touring?
If you live in Scotland you have a couple of chances to see this incredible show is at His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen (Tues 11th – Sat 15th March 2025). Then Kings Theatre in Glasgow (Mon 7th April – Sat 19th April 2025). Check out the Bat Out of Hell Musical official website for all the other tour dates across England and Wales
