Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical Rocks Sunderland Empire
Fans of Meat Loaf's greatest hits and musical lovers alike are getting all revved up about Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical
A pre-theatre meal is a must and Japanese restaurant Koji is a good shout, not least for its perfect position directly opposite Sunderland Empire. The excitement for the show builds whilst we’re dining when a gang of motorbike riders zoom past and park up beside the theatre. After our meal we head over to take a closer look at the Harley-Davidsons from Ultimate Moto and Harley Owners Group Geordie Chapter. Washington’s own cast member Carly Burns (who plays Valkyrie in the show) takes this chance for a perfect photo opportunity on one of the bikes.
Inside the theatre the atmosphere is equally electric, but we’re heading in blind. Despite the obvious, we have no idea what to expect (having avoided reviews). I’m generally not a fan of jukebox musicals (Mamma Mia excepted) so this is a risk.
Taking our seats we get a closer look at the set, and we’ve never seen Sunderland Empire’s stage look quite like this. Raised at the rear of the stage is a section for the band (drums, keys et al), lower to the side is a bedroom (with space for guitarists behind) and below is a tunnel where cast members (and, for the title track, a motorbike) emerge throughout the show. There are two giant screens hanging above all this which at some points allow for a closer view at characters (a camera man is visible on stage) and at others pre-filmed effects add pace and drama to the action. These filmed elements are hazy and dreamlike.
Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is absolutely a celebration of Meat Loaf’s hits… but it’s so much more than that too. The sensational eight-piece rock band and insanely powerful vocals transport audiences from Raven’s bedroom to the depths of the underground to meet the Lost. As the story unfolds and we’re introduced to ‘Tink’ and learn main character Strat is forever young, we begin to learn where the inspiration for this story has come from (Peter Pan of course!). Falco and his wife Sloane fear for their teenage daughter Raven when she falls for immortal Strat and tracks including I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad blend seamlessly within the storyline (which isn’t always the case with such musicals).
Glenn Adamson plays a captivating Strat – unsurprisingly, as he has played the role in the West End and previously on tours in the UK, US and Australia. His performance of Bat Out Of Hell blows the roof of the Empire complete with confetti, fire and fake blood. Katie Tonkinson has a stunning voice and harmonises beautifully with Glenn. The performance of It’s All Coming Back to Me Now is particularly stunning. Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane are powerful and at times comedic (in moments that feel a little bit Rocky Horror). They’re powerhouses from start to finish.
Whether you love Meat Loaf or musicals, this show is unlike anything else in theatres right now.
