Theatre

Bat Out of Hell at New Theatre Cardiff Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Kathy Sanderson

Bat Out of Hell – A Rock-Fuelled Spectacle with a Confusing Plot

I was really excited to see Bat Out of Hell, the award-winning hit musical written by Jim Steinman and featuring the greatest hits of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf, at the New Theatre Cardiff. Having grown up listening to Meat Loaf, and with my mum being a huge fan, this felt like a special experience for both of us. We arrived at the theatre, took our seats, and the excitement built as we could see the band set up on stage. There’s always something extra special about having a live band visible—it adds so much energy, watching the drumming and electric guitars right in front of you. The stage itself looked very fitting for a Bat Out of Hell setting, resembling a cave with people down below, creating an intriguing atmosphere.

Then, with no warning, the show began with a jolt! A sudden start and a dramatic entrance made my mum jump out of her seat, completely caught off guard. The characters stormed onto the stage, and we settled in for what we hoped would be a fantastic night of theatre.

The music was undoubtedly the star of the show. The songs were incredible, and every cast member had powerful vocals that truly did justice to the iconic Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman classics. Glenn Adamson played Strat, the leader of The Lost, a group of underground-dwelling, forever-young people who were referred to as mutants at various points in the show. He had a fantastic voice and great stage presence. His love interest, Raven, played by Katie Tomkinson, was the daughter of Falco and Sloane—Falco being the wealthy developer set on destroying the underground tunnels and rebuilding the town. Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton, playing Falco and Sloane, delivered some absolutely powerhouse performances, particularly Sexton, whose vocals were just breath taking. The raw emotion she poured into every song was incredible.

A special mention has to go to Georgia Bradshaw as Zahara—her voice was absolutely phenomenal. When she sang ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’, she completely made it her own, delivering one of the most powerful moments of the show. Ryan Carter as Jagwire, Carla Bertran as Tink, and the rest of the cast also delivered impressive performances, showcasing not only strong vocals but great dancing and acting as well. Every member of the cast could sing, and sing well, which is exactly what a musical like this demands.

However, as much as the music, performances, and staging were brilliant, the storyline itself left me completely confused. By the interval, my mum and I had no real idea what was going on. Thankfully, reading the programme during the break helped clear things up a bit. At first, the show gave me The Lost Boys vibes, and I wondered if Raven was going to become a vampire. But it turns out the story was actually based on Peter Pan, with The Lost being a reimagined version of the Lost Boys, and Tink (played by Carla Bertran) tying into that theme. I had no idea that the show was set in the future—I actually thought it was meant to be in the ’80s. The plot just wasn’t very clear, and I think it could have been better developed to help the audience understand what was happening without needing to read up on it.

That being said, what the show lacked in storytelling, it more than made up for with its powerful performances, breath taking vocals, and, of course, an incredible soundtrack. Hearing those Meat Loaf classics performed live, with such passion and energy, was an unforgettable experience. The songs had me singing along in my head the whole time, and the sheer talent of the cast carried the entire production.

Overall, Bat Out of Hell is a must-see for any Meat Loaf fan, as long as you go in for the music rather than expecting a clear and gripping storyline. I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars, purely for the outstanding performances and the sheer power of those iconic songs.

Rating: 4/5.

Tickets cost from £21.60 (plus up to £3.95 transaction fee).

Bat Out of Hell is at New Theatre, Cardiff from 4th – 8th February 2025.

For more information or to book tickets, visit trafalgartickets.com or call the box office on 0343 310 0041.

Address: New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LN.

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