Photo credit Chris Davis Studio
The Regent Theatre becomes the backdrop for the dystopian world of underground rebels, eternal youth, and forbidden love in Jim Steinman’s rock musical.
Released in the UK in February 2017, Steinman presents an adaptive retelling of Peter Pan (crossed with Romeo & Juliet), set in post-apocalyptic Manhattan (now named ‘Obsidian’), and follows Strat, the forever young leader of ‘The Lost’ who has fallen in love with Raven, daughter of Falco, the tyrannical ruler of Obsidian.
The music is the heart of the show. From the moment the eight-piece live band kicks into “All Revved Up With No Place to Go,” the stage pulses with energy. Absolute rock classics flow effortlessly including ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, ‘Paradise By The Dashboard Light’ and ‘Dead Ringer For Love’.
Projection screens, pyrotechnics, and apocalyptic ruins dominate the set, creating a world that feels both timeless and unhinged. A live camera is used in parts to emphasise key parts of the plot adding to the effects.
The cast delivers powerhouse performances with voices that could knock the roof off. Glenn Adamson as Strat brings the right balance of tortured soul and defiance, especially in “Bat Out Of Hell” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”. Katie Tonkinson’s Raven is fierce, defiant, and her voice equally matching Adamson, belting with operatic strength, particularly during “Heaven Can Wait” and “All Coming Back To Me”.
Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton play Raven’s parents Falco and Sloane. Both were excellent together, producing some thoroughly entertaining moments, “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” was a definite highlight, as well as touching moments with “What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most”.
Georgia Bradshaw as Zahara and Luke Street as Ledoux, duet really well and have good chemistry, particularly during “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad”.
Special mention goes to all the ensemble, whose tireless energy and precision, elevate the show’s rock-opera premise. The choreography is raw and perfectly suited to the atmosphere.
Is its subtle? Absolutely not, nor is it meant to be. It’s not a traditional theatre musical per-se, with microphones being used as well as the visual effects, but it is a fantastic experience, with a legendary score and some wonderful individual and collective vocal performances.
The whole auditorium were off their feet by the time the “Bat Out Of Hell” encore belted out and the cast and band deserved it, their performance as hot as the weather outside the theatre.
The show is on until 5th July, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are available from the box office, or online here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/bat-out-of-hell/regent-theatre/
