Review Roundup: BAT OUT OF HELL Opens at Manchester Opera House

Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell - The Musical is a romantic adventure about rebellious youth and passionate love, set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland. Strat, the forever young leader of The Lost, has fallen for Raven, daughter of Falco, the tyrannical, ruler of Obsidian. Bat Out of Hell runs in Manchester until 8 April, with a world premiere at the London Coliseum from 5 June to 22 July.

BAT OUT OF HELL - THE MUSICAL has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib and choreography by Emma Portner. It is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox and Tony Smith. Directed by award-winning theatre and opera director Jay Scheib, Bat Out of Hell - THE MUSICAL stars Andrew Polec as Strat and Christina Bennington as Raven, with Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane.

Photo Credit: Specular

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Adam G, The Arts Shelf: Andrew Polec and Christina Bennington are exceptional in the star-making central roles, demonstrating great chemistry and enviable vocal gymnastics throughout. Though there are clear echoes of Meat Loaf's original vocals in his performance, Polec perhaps wisely refrains form a direct impersonation, instead putting his own unique spin on things. Vocally Bennington doesn't get much of a chance to shine in the first act but really comes into her own after the interval with a hair-raising performance of Heaven Can Wait and stirling duets (with Polec) of For Crying Out Loud and I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That).

Dianne Bourne, Manchester Evening News: This is a truly staggering piece of musical theatre, which breaks new boundaries in its staging, choreography and concept on an epic scale, that during a month of preview shows at the Opera House has already been winning an army of devoted fans. It is not hard to see why more than 25,000 people have already booked to see this extravaganza - and why I suspect many thousands more will come to this musical in the months and years to come.

Paul Downham, North West End: The one thing that makes this show stand out from all the rest is as I mentioned earlier the staging. This is not your typical musical, just when you think you have seen everything on stage, something else happens right up until the final beat of the show when the bats are finally released from Hell! At times it is more like a movie, with scenes switching from one side of the stage to the other supported by video projections. I have had the pleasure to work on the stage at the Opera House in Manchester, yet I am at a total loss as to how they have managed to fit everything into the building.

Vikki Rutter, Frankly, My Dear: As a new show, it is weird to be in a theatre where the audience already knew the words and sang along, dancing in their seats and having an immersive experience without actually being immersed. All in all, BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL is highly recommended. Even if you are not a fan of Meat Loaf you will enjoy the theatrics of it all and it is sure to leave a DEAD RINGER for musicals at least.