Bat Out Of Hell at Wycombe Swan Review

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

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

The Wycombe Swan is a lovely theatre which we really enjoy visiting, easy transport links, plenty of local parking and a fair few pubs to grab a quick pre drink show at. The staff are always super helpful on your arrival and very welcoming, there are bars for refreshments that you can take into the show with you. We were very surprised at the age group attending tonight, there are obviously plenty of Meat Loaf fans out there of all ages!

I had no idea what this show was about before attending, just that it featured the music of Meat Loaf, which of course I enjoy. The staging was dark with two very large screens right above the stage, a tunnel, and a bedroom. The tunnel was used very effectively throughout the show. Right from the first number you knew you were in for a full on rock experience, the band who are all on stage with the actors could definitely play their stuff, the music literally pulsated through your body, and we were in the circle, which I might add, gave a fantastic view of the whole stage.

The show is full of drama and fantastic huge vocals. You are treated not only to a full size car on stage but also of course the trademark motorbike. There are flashes, bangs, glitter and drama. The standout voices for me were Georgia Bradshaw who was Zahara, Sophie Rose Emery as Raven and Luke Street as Strat. The story is certainly not one for the easily offended, there is plenty of sexual innuendo which just isn’t suitable for youngsters. It is very much nonstop rock n roll, so not for the faint of heart either.

Although I am reasonably easy to please, this musical just didn’t hook me in, it was a little like the Adams family meets the Rocky Horror show. I spent most of my time trying to figure out what was going on.

There is no doubt at all that the singing of everyone involved is superb and at times electrifying. The dramatic staging definitely adds to the excitement on stage. If you are a massive fan of Meat Loaf, you will undoubtedly fall in love with this musical spectacle, full of the anthems we all know and love, it just didn’t really bring the story alive for me in ways others shows using music as a way of telling the story have. It’s certainly a great night out though and the tour of the UK has a few more stops if you can’t grab tickets for the Wycombe Swan this week.

Rating: 3/5

Bat out of Hell is on at the Wycombe Swan Theatre from Monday 21 July until Saturday 26 July 2025
Tickets are available from £15 a transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply available to buy from www.trafalgartickets.com or call the Box Office 0343 310 0060

Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE