I bought tickets for Bat Out of Hell: The Musical back in December 2019. Back then COVID-19 hadn’t arrived in Australia and both Meatloaf and Jim Steinman were still alive. I’m not sure how many times it was postponed, but I do know I was starting to wonder whether it’d ever happen. However, good things come to those who wait, and I finally got my chance to see the musical that’s had the West End buzzing.
I must admit, early on I was a little unsure. I couldn’t fault the singing and dancing chops of the cast which come to Australia directly from the West End. However, the plot, a love story with references to Romeo and Juliet and Peter Pan, was more than a little flimsy. Meatloaf music has always been a little over the top, but the larger-than-life acting sections felt really cheesy.
Somewhere along the way though, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical won me over. I found myself invested in the love story of Raven and Strat, hoping these crazy kids might just make it despite the odds. I embraced the cheese and finally understood why a friend who accompanied me had bought tickets to the Sydney show, despite seeing it already in London and Las Vegas.
As a Meatloaf fan since I was around eight or nine, I loved watching these songs brought to life in front of my eyes. The cast is so strong, dancing up a storm and singing those familiar lyrics with gusto. Glenn Adamson and Kellie Gnauck are so compelling as star-crossed young lovers, beautiful, sexy people with serious pipes. As Raven’s parents, Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton have perhaps some of the most complex roles, mixing comic relief with much darker tones, and they carried them off admirably. While they had most of the spotlight, it almost seems unfair to single anyone out as every person on that stage was amazing.
Ticket agencies have slashed the price of all remaining Bat Out of Hell: The Musical tickets to as low as $65, suggesting many people didn’t have the patience to wait as long as me. If you enjoy the music of Meatloaf or musical theatre in general, I suggest taking them up on one of those great offers. Bat Out of Hell: The Musical is at times a little silly, but it’s also a joyous celebration of Meatloaf and Jim Steinman’s musical legacy and life in general. Leave your preconceptions at the door, don’t take it too seriously, and rock on at one of the remaining shows.
30 January 2023 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 February 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Tarntanya/Adelaide
4 February 2023 – RAC Arena, Boorloo/Perth
8 February 2023 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne