TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH

By Tom Ffiske | Immersive Wire ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Sometimes, life is a lemon and you want your money back. Not so for Bat Out of Hell, a musical based on the songs by Meat Loaf. Visitors will find an experience with a story so flimsy you could probably chuck an actual meatloaf through its tissue-like membrane. But that’s not why you watch it. You watch it to feel the power and timeless energy of Meat Loaf’s exceptional album. The plot beats are weak, but the energy from the performances is electrifying.

The story is a Peter Pan-esque tribute to a rock classic, following the lost boys of post-apocalyptic New York as they deal with the nefarious machinations of Falco. But the story isn’t why you’re there. It’s light on detail, conveyed more through spittle and lyrics than actual acting. It’s all about the vibes, as you let the songs take over and watch the actors ham it up to eleven.

The performances are fantastic, delivering perfect renditions of the classic songs in a wonderful serenade to love and devotion; the rock and roll dreams come through in spades. The story itself is thin, and visitors need to decide whether they want a compelling narrative (not here) or to stay for the feelings it evokes (here in spades).

That dedication is sometimes hampered by actors who ham it up a little too much, as well as by a camera that distracts during key moments. A giant screen shows close-up angles of interactions, but I felt drawn out of the musical when this happened. At times, the cameraman even blocks the actors themselves to get a better shot—disappointing in what should be a live theatre experience, not an ’80s TV show.

When the songs start, you forget all that. You follow the great performances, the vibes, and the heart of love at its metallic centre. I was all revved up, and there was only one place to go—and unlike a bat out of hell, you won’t want to be gone when the morning comes.

Bat Out of Hell is running at Peacock Theatre until Saturday 7 June.

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Photo Credit: Chris David Studio