Bat Out Of Hell The Musical

[proctorloaf]

Is it awful that I didn't notice LOL - I didn't note down the songs on the opening night, I just took it all in. I really think that The Future Aint What It Used to Be should be in the show. I'd even push for a We're Still the Children/Future number.

I think that the pace of Act 2 is great!

Bringing my sister tomorrow :)

[eddy<meat-loaf>rocky]

Good Girls was cut, too!

that was a good song in the show why have they cut that for? each time i go i will see a different version of the show lol i suppose they want to get it right for the 14th march all these changes dose this mean the original programs are going to be worth more later on ;)

[eltmatt]

Well, that was amazing. The amount of time and thought gone into the set is amazing with all the special effects, the water, the bike ;), the car, the bats, live action being filmed on different levels onto screens, this like no other musical ive ever seen and ive seen all the top ones. The songs are obviously amazing, my only criticism is some of the vocals are not as powerful as I'd like, Strat (Andrew), and Sloane (Sharon) are the strongest imo.

I was sat front row and couldn't actually see half of the stage due to the set coming right forwards, also the dialogue was quite quiet as was the whole thing? There was a lot more talking than I expected, not a bad thing. I do feel some of the choreography needs taming, the songs and their narratives are powerful enough without 10 people doing the macarena in the background. Good Girls go to heaven wasn't missed, id rather that was cut than Dead Ringer. I think Lemon should be in, its listed on the song lists in the foyer with the top hits? Was Making love out of nothing at all ever in?

Anyway Andrew is amazing and this musical has to be a hit! I will be going back ASAP :p

[Michael Marxen]

Was Making love out of nothing at all ever in?



so thats cut too? :(

[eltmatt]

Seems that way, theres no need to cut anything else, if anything I want more in!

[ashkent7]

so thats cut too? :(

Which is a shame as I would have liked to hear the stage arrangement/version of that.

[K1ttycat]

Oh no! I loved Good Girls and especially Making Love Out of Nothing at All - I've had that stuck in my head for the past week. The lines "I know just where to touch you" from there on was incredibly moving and sent tingles through me. It made a huge impact seeing/hearing those lines been sung to RavenI thought that scene was beautiful. I loved the intimacy that came with it. Was looking forward to having that on the soundtrack.

[nightinr]

It's very strange they are cutting songs...if anything I think the show could have done with another 10 mins in the second half.

[Wario]

Oh no! I loved Good Girls and especially Making Love Out of Nothing at All - I've had that stuck in my head for the past week. The lines "I know just where to touch you" from there on was incredibly moving and sent tingles through me. It made a huge impact seeing/hearing those lines been sung to RavenI thought that scene was beautiful. I loved the intimacy that came with it. Was looking forward to having that on the soundtrack.

Good Girls and Making Love plus Lemon could all still be on the soundtrack or at least bonus tracks.

Most cast albums include the cut songs. Little Shop, Hairspray, Sweeney Todd to name a few

[letsgotoofar]

If we included every song that's been in and out of this show in writing, pre-production, and rehearsals, you'd have an album at least four hours long.

[Wario]

If we included every song that's been in and out of this show in writing, pre-production, and rehearsals, you'd have an album at least four hours long.

songs that made it to the stage in front of an audience tho is a different story

BFG and Lemon were cut late game so they could very well be included on a soundtrack if its already been recorded

[eddy<meat-loaf>rocky]

i saw it week it first opened and it was amazing and i saw it yesterday afternoon and loved the new graphics at the beginning and opening of all revved up introducing the characters i knew before going about the songs what were cut but once i was watching totally forgot about it and i dident miss them not being in even though i love them songs

[K1ttycat]

Good Girls and Making Love plus Lemon could all still be on the soundtrack or at least bonus tracks.

Most cast albums include the cut songs. Little Shop, Hairspray, Sweeney Todd to name a few

Oh I hope so! I guess I just felt that the Making Love scene brought to light more of an emotional connection between Strat and Raven. It's late at night, the moonlight is glowing, they are all alone... It brought a sense of maturity to the relationship and gave their relationship more depth. I think every woman/girl dreams of hearing such honest yet emotional words come from someone they love and at the same time it can be difficult for the man to bring himself to say them ... so when he does it's like YES!!! :)

[proctorloaf]

*Spoilers and opinion*

Making Love should go back in please! PLEASE! Really looking forward to what show the team choose to present for press night. Act 2 is phenomenal! Act 1 still has some work to do IMO.

Also I'm very sorry to admit this but for me the choreography in Act 1 just doesn't work at all. The only dance number that works for me is Took the Words - it has a clear storyline.

This Capoeira-style doesn't work for me, the meaning isn't clear in most of the pieces and in Act 1, it's distracting from the amazing vocal performances.

The solo before Just Won't Quite needs to go - it looks like bad break dance.

*I'm getting critical - I love it so much - these are just my opinions. Fully aware that I didn't get the directing gig this time LOL. As Jay said to me. The show is BANANAS*

I think that the set up in Act 1 could do with a bit more clarity.

[nightinr]

*Spoilers and opinion*

Making Love should go back in please! PLEASE! Really looking forward to what show the team choose to present for press night. Act 2 is phenomenal! Act 1 still has some work to do IMO.

Also I'm very sorry to admit this but for me the choreography in Act 1 just doesn't work at all. The only dance number that works for me is Took the Words - it has a clear storyline.

This Capoeira-style doesn't work for me, the meaning isn't clear in most of the pieces and in Act 1, it's distracting from the amazing vocal performances.

The solo before Just Won't Quite needs to go - it looks like bad break dance.

*I'm getting critical - I love it so much - these are just my opinions. Fully aware that I didn't get the directing gig this time LOL. As Jay said to me. The show is BANANAS*

I think that the set up in Act 1 could do with a bit more clarity.

I went with two people who were musical regulars, they liked Meat Loaf music but weren't real fans. They enjoyed the musical but I asked how does it compare to Lion King, Wicked etc. They smiled and both said the show isn't as good as the top musicals.

This is the problem the show has...it can't just rely on Meat Loaf fans because in all honesty there isn't that many of us!

[AndrewG]

I went with two people who were musical regulars, they liked Meat Loaf music but weren't real fans. They enjoyed the musical but I asked how does it compare to Lion King, Wicked etc. They smiled and both said the show isn't as good as the top musicals.


Yet they charge the same/more than those shows. :?

[letsgotoofar]

Well, when you can finance a musical inexpensively, we'll be glad to hear what you have to say about the price of stalls seats. :-P

[K1ttycat]

I went with two people who were musical regulars, they liked Meat Loaf music but weren't real fans. They enjoyed the musical but I asked how does it compare to Lion King, Wicked etc. They smiled and both said the show isn't as good as the top musicals.

This is the problem the show has...it can't just rely on Meat Loaf fans because in all honesty there isn't that many of us!

That's interesting! I've seen Lion King and to be honest, while it was good, it didn't blow me away - and the film is my second favorite Disney film. I've seen Wicked twice, once in NY and when it was last at the Lowry. Again, enjoyable but it lost me along the way and neither of them made everything in my life vanish for those 2.5 hours like Bat Out of Hell did.

I am a big ALW fan and am usually very impressed with the staging and the whole production of his shows (so maybe that's why Lion King and Wicked didn't quite do it for me), and I think Bat tops that - with the camera work and the staging, it was just a new element that I've never seen before.

I do agree re: ML fans. I desperately want to go again, but finding someone to go with is proving difficult because none of my friends are Meat Loaf fans, and people seem to have the idea that this is a Meat Loaf tribute show and don't realise that it is a full theatrical production that features songs that Meat had once performed. Big difference! I've noticed on FB that even people who are fans seem to be going into the performance not realising what they are actually going to see. Perhaps more theatrical aspects need to be promoted rather than just the Bat Out of Hell cover. I have one friend who just sees the words "bat" and "hell" and I think she's convinced it's some sort of dark cult show. :)

[proctorloaf]

Bat out of Hell is a top musical - Wicked, The Lion King (I've worked on the UK Tour of both of these) didn't become great musicals over night. They were in development for years. Bat isn't finished. The music is better than both Wicked and Lion King IMO.

I think the show is treading the line between Opera form and Musical Theatre and it needs to choose which one it is. It's more an opera to me. I think that the whole thing should be sung through.

I'm confident that this show will stand next to Tanz Der Vampire (for me the best musical in the history of Musical Theatre)

Why is a ticket so expensive? Because the producers have invested millions in the show and need to recoup the cost for their investors. Why is the show more expensive than Les Mis? Because in 25+ years Les Mis has made millions of pound of profit, now it has lower running costs than a brand new show and has a better profit margin.

Theatre set up costs are MASSIVE. I worked on a Panto in 2008 that cost a million pounds to put on.

[eltmatt]

It's ok the ticket price is worth every penny to see this, only problem is drawing in the non-Loaf/Steinman fans. People may think its more of a We Will Rock You/Mamma Mia type cash in.

I agree about the choreography, the songs are that strong they dont need a cast of people waving their arms behind. It adds nothing, if anything it takes away from the songs imo!

[ThatWriterGuy]

*Spoilers and opinion*

Making Love should go back in please! PLEASE! Really looking forward to what show the team choose to present for press night. Act 2 is phenomenal! Act 1 still has some work to do IMO.

Also I'm very sorry to admit this but for me the choreography in Act 1 just doesn't work at all. The only dance number that works for me is Took the Words - it has a clear storyline.

This Capoeira-style doesn't work for me, the meaning isn't clear in most of the pieces and in Act 1, it's distracting from the amazing vocal performances.

The solo before Just Won't Quite needs to go - it looks like bad break dance.

*I'm getting critical - I love it so much - these are just my opinions. Fully aware that I didn't get the directing gig this time LOL. As Jay said to me. The show is BANANAS*

I think that the set up in Act 1 could do with a bit more clarity.

Can't discuss -- but some of the points above -- you're not wrong :cool: Just so glad that everyone is enjoying it (last week people we re-booking on their way out -- the response has been incredible).

[eddy<meat-loaf>rocky]

i also have experience in theater and producing and writing my own play it took my not as long has jim to get it put on and when i did it ran for 3 nights and the the first night was okie over ran but the 2nd night had a few changes and the 3rd night there was a lot of changes and theater shows dose cost a lot of money to put on and thirs factors what an audience's dosent think about too from room hire for the auditions to set to light sound costume rehearsal space getting all equipment pat testing and venue hire to and thirs the electricity of the building to what the company/show uses and any other things a show need and a hell a lot of work has gone in to bat out of hell and thats why tickets are so expensive and i saw lion king and that dident impress me i have seen over 50 musical shows since 2004 and my first being whistle down the wind another jim steinman show and out of all them bat out of hell is the best ever i have seen you know why they have gone so far out from the start to announcing the big launch in london and manchester witch i attended i have felt i have been on the same journey with the cast from day 1 of rehearsal to now. they have been doing post in rehearsal showing fans whats going on make fans feel part of their rehearsal process to giveing us live facebook videos to pics of the get in in manchester and thats very rear for a show to let the fans be part of the whole process thats why this is different to any other show what has been staged o is being staged

[duke knooby]

Seems that way, theres no need to cut anything else, if anything I want more in!

more... now there's a song I didn't expect to appear :twisted:

(Only messing)

[PanicLord]

Just got back from seeing it tonight and I'm delighted to report that the musical is an absolute blast. The set is genius, the songs of course sublime and brilliantly performed, it's colourful, loud, fun, and inventive.

Body is awesome and it was a real treat to see that live. Bat is staged superbly. Paradise ends with something I've never seen before or will again.

Seeing the songs I / we love interpreted in this way was an absolute joy and brings new insight and meaning to the songs. And as opposed to e.g. mamma Mia where you think oh that song works surprisingly well in that setting, it is clear that these songs were designed for these characters and situations. You know like a REAL musical.

Any constructive suggestions? Well only a very small number of very minor things, being really picky. I have no expertise in musicals either so I may well be talking out of my arse lol. But just some thoughts as an audience member.. oooh and I will try and avoid spoilers.

1. Agree with the comment on some bits of choreography in Act 1 especially on Paradise. Either needs a big injection of energy OR to maximise the quirkiness of it to make it a feature. It reminded me and the Mrs of Rocky Horror in style a little. I guess either play it large for laughs or dance the hell out of it. It just came across as a bit under done. Loving the swim wear though 😍 oh and the song itself is delivered brilliantly with a hilariously cool thing that happens at the end.

2. Tink. I wasn't entirely clear what sort of relationship he had or has with Strat, and why it was so important. A little bit more back story would really add oomph to later events. Don't get me wrong it worked well but could have been given more impact.

3. Objects. Difficult to describe my thoughts without spoilers. But umm I think it would make more sense for them to finish singing before their situation is resolved. You would imagine they would beat a hasty retreat rather than hang around for one more verse. But it is a superbly emotional and beautiful performance of the song which almost brought me to tears. Awesome.

4. Not entirely sure why Falco turns up at the end? I mean I know he has to, but maybe he should get a line or two trying to explain why he came and getting shushed or something.

5. 2 out of 3. Maybe show those characters arguing in the background of various scenes so that they have a legitimate reason to sing the song? Stellar performance of the song though 😀

6. Some of the songs seemed a bit chopped short. No need. Jim's songs are designed long. Sing em long.


That's it, really tiny bits that occurred to me.

Oh by the way please do NOT get rid of Dead Ringer. Yes it's a little gratuitous, but it's brilliantly done and a cracking tune to boot.

Anyway I am delighted that Jim's work is finally out there, and in such brilliant hands. The show is an absolute blast and worth every penny.

Congratulations to everyone involved and I wish you and the show a super long extended run!

[Michael Marxen]

Just got back from seeing it tonight and I'm delighted to report that the musical is an absolute blast. The set is genius, the songs of course sublime and brilliantly performed, it's colourful, loud, fun, and inventive.

Body is awesome and it was a real treat to see that live. Bat is staged superbly. Paradise ends with something I've never seen before or will again.

Seeing the songs I / we love interpreted in this way was an absolute joy and brings new insight and meaning to the songs. And as opposed to e.g. mamma Mia where you think oh that song works surprisingly well in that setting, it is clear that these songs were designed for these characters and situations. You know like a REAL musical.

Any constructive suggestions? Well only a very small number of very minor things, being really picky. I have no expertise in musicals either so I may well be talking out of my arse lol. But just some thoughts as an audience member.. oooh and I will try and avoid spoilers.

1. Agree with the comment on some bits of choreography in Act 1 especially on Paradise. Either needs a big injection of energy OR to maximise the quirkiness of it to make it a feature. It reminded me and the Mrs of Rocky Horror in style a little. I guess either play it large for laughs or dance the hell out of it. It just came across as a bit under done. Loving the swim wear though 😍 oh and the song itself is delivered brilliantly with a hilariously cool thing that happens at the end.

2. Tink. I wasn't entirely clear what sort of relationship he had or has with Strat, and why it was so important. A little bit more back story would really add oomph to later events. Don't get me wrong it worked well but could have been given more impact.

3. Objects. Difficult to describe my thoughts without spoilers. But umm I think it would make more sense for them to finish singing before their situation is resolved. You would imagine they would beat a hasty retreat rather than hang around for one more verse. But it is a superbly emotional and beautiful performance of the song which almost brought me to tears. Awesome.

4. Not entirely sure why Falco turns up at the end? I mean I know he has to, but maybe he should get a line or two trying to explain why he came and getting shushed or something.

5. 2 out of 3. Maybe show those characters arguing in the background of various scenes so that they have a legitimate reason to sing the song? Stellar performance of the song though 😀

6. Some of the songs seemed a bit chopped short. No need. Jim's songs are designed long. Sing em long.


That's it, really tiny bits that occurred to me.

Oh by the way please do NOT get rid of Dead Ringer. Yes it's a little gratuitous, but it's brilliantly done and a cracking tune to boot.

Anyway I am delighted that Jim's work is finally out there, and in such brilliant hands. The show is an absolute blast and worth every penny.

Congratulations to everyone involved and I wish you and the show a super long extended run!

After revisiting and experiencing many ongoing changes - which i.e. brought much more "Frying Pan" in 😀 - I couldn't agree more with your praise!

And your constructive suggestions especially have a point about Tink.

Though more back story and longer songs without cutting any sounds like mission impossible, all the changes they made so far worked for the better IMO.

[PanicLord]

Just got back from seeing it tonight and I'm delighted to report that the musical is an absolute blast. The set is genius, the songs of course sublime and brilliantly performed, it's colourful, loud, fun, and inventive.

Body is awesome and it was a real treat to see that live. Bat is staged superbly. Paradise ends with something I've never seen before or will again.

Seeing the songs I / we love interpreted in this way was an absolute joy and brings new insight and meaning to the songs. And as opposed to e.g. mamma Mia where you think oh that song works surprisingly well in that setting, it is clear that these songs were designed for these characters and situations. You know like a REAL musical.

Any constructive suggestions? Well only a very small number of very minor things, being really picky. I have no expertise in musicals either so I may well be talking out of my arse lol. But just some thoughts as an audience member.. oooh and I will try and avoid spoilers.

1. Agree with the comment on some bits of choreography in Act 1 especially on Paradise. Either needs a big injection of energy OR to maximise the quirkiness of it to make it a feature. It reminded me and the Mrs of Rocky Horror in style a little. I guess either play it large for laughs or dance the hell out of it. It just came across as a bit under done. Loving the swim wear though 😍 oh and the song itself is delivered brilliantly with a hilariously cool thing that happens at the end.

2. Tink. I wasn't entirely clear what sort of relationship he had or has with Strat, and why it was so important. A little bit more back story would really add oomph to later events. Don't get me wrong it worked well but could have been given more impact.

3. Objects. Difficult to describe my thoughts without spoilers. But umm I think it would make more sense for them to finish singing before their situation is resolved. You would imagine they would beat a hasty retreat rather than hang around for one more verse. But it is a superbly emotional and beautiful performance of the song which almost brought me to tears. Awesome.

4. Not entirely sure why Falco turns up at the end? I mean I know he has to, but maybe he should get a line or two trying to explain why he came and getting shushed or something.

5. 2 out of 3. Maybe show those characters arguing in the background of various scenes so that they have a legitimate reason to sing the song? Stellar performance of the song though 😀

6. Some of the songs seemed a bit chopped short. No need. Jim's songs are designed long. Sing em long.


That's it, really tiny bits that occurred to me.

Oh by the way please do NOT get rid of Dead Ringer. Yes it's a little gratuitous, but it's brilliantly done and a cracking tune to boot.

Anyway I am delighted that Jim's work is finally out there, and in such brilliant hands. The show is an absolute blast and worth every penny.

Congratulations to everyone involved and I wish you and the show a super long extended run!

Sorry it was very late and I forgot to add that it is also extremely moving in places, it has depth, so it's not just hollow spectacle. Far from it in fact.

[eltmatt]

Yes^^^! Someone's trolling Jim on Facebook saying it's worse than we will rock you, idiots!

[letsgotoofar]

Yes^^^! Someone's trolling Jim on Facebook saying it's worse than we will rock you, idiots!

Not everything is how it appears at face value. The person in question apparently has a history with Jim that didn't go so well; he's hardly the first person to have such a history, and by the looks of recent events (with Jim's people publicly badmouthing tribute albums as if they somehow interfere with the success of a musical currently too early in its growth to have had significant success that could be at all impeded), he's certainly not going to be the last. As I understand it, this person's particular grievances of a business nature may yet be aired in a courtroom. Further, Jim has been profoundly unkind (unprovoked, mind you) in public on Facebook to this person and his business associates in the past; my reading of the thread suggests Jim started with a jab at them and they responded in kind. But others may, of course, disagree.

Speaking for myself, I dunno. I've tried really hard to grok the Neverland thing, but it's always escaped my grasp. I think the person in that thread could hardly be faulted for saying that the show reads to them, at least on the surface, as "We Will Rock You with a Meat Loaf score." (Those, I believe, are their exact words; nobody said, or even implied, it was worse, though I admit it seems they didn't feel an approach like the one they described was particularly creative.) There are a lot of basic plot and character similarities (again, on a surface level). Others have made the same comparison, some even on Jim's forum (http://www.jimsteinman.com/messageboard/d.php?id=50701) (read the full thread for effect). I wouldn't necessarily say that's an insulting comparison either; say what you will about its quality, but WWRY has been a massive commercial success. One would hope Bat aspires to climb to similar heights.

[ThatWriterGuy]

Two things I can tell you:

1. BAT is nothing like WWRY, unless you mean that it's a story that has got songs in it. I'll give you that.

2. The story above RE 'an individual's experience with Jim' is more than a little 'biased', to say the least.

[letsgotoofar]

Two things I can tell you:

1. BAT is nothing like WWRY, unless you mean that it's a story that has got songs in it. I'll give you that.

2. The story above RE 'an individual's experience with Jim' is more than a little 'biased', to say the least.

With regard to the first matter you raise, I don't know that I'd say it's "nothing" like WWRY: post-apocalyptic setting, teenagers rebelling against a totalitarian government led by male and female authority figures, love stories involving the teenagers, dramatic (one would almost say theatrical) rock music with complex layers and complicated arrangements, at one point it looks like the baddies triumph but it turns around by show's end, big curtain call performance of one of the most noted numbers associated with the artist from whose catalogue the show's score is derived... I mean, the specifics are different, but generally speaking, could one really call that comparison a reach? (And this is leaving out other similarities, like the fact that Jim once approached Ben Elton to work on the book, according to a past blog entry which inspired a Playbill story (http://www.playbill.com/article/steinman-adapting-bat-out-of-hell-for-london-stage-com-146513) but was later removed from the blog; a poster referenced this in a thread on a theater board (http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=953356) about the story at the time.) At the very least it's a closer match than that piece of dreck Tonight's the Night.

On the second point: how accurate the story is lies in how it looks to other people. I read it, and saw someone responding to a jab in that thread, and reported what I felt I observed. The rest is just what I've heard. One man's meat, as they say.

[ThatWriterGuy]

Yep, and The Lion King is Hamlet and Westside Story is Romeo and Juliette -- we could argue about plot vs story vs archetype until the sun comes up, but I don't have the time (which is a shame -- because there's more to say on this).

As for 'point B' -- hardly impartial or objective, given those involved :roll:

[nightinr]

Are the management team happy with the ticket sales in Manchester? They have ran several TV adverts and invested massively in marketing in the local area.

[ThatWriterGuy]

Ticket sales have been great for previews. You seem to be fixated on this -- really, there's no need, enjoy yourself :cool:

[letsgotoofar]

Yep, and The Lion King is Hamlet and Westside Story is Romeo and Juliette -- we could argue about plot vs story vs archetype until the sun comes up, but I don't have the time (which is a shame -- because there's more to say on this).

I won't bother addressing your other point because we both know from past conversations on that count that it's a slippery slope to nowhere, but I will simply say in response to your first that no one was arguing plot vs. story vs. archetype, least of all me.

The question was a vague, general one of whether the show was anything like WWRY, and while the specifics differ, whether the tropes or archetypes are common or not, there are some general similarities, and since splitting hairs seems to be the point of your response, they are similarities in the vein of archetypal figures and common post-apocalyptic story tropes. It's not good or bad (unless you're not a fan of WWRY, I guess), it's just something that is. It exists. Saying they are nothing alike is inaccurate as long as these base-line comparisons of something alike can be made, in my personal opinion. You're welcome to disagree, as it seems you do.

(Worth noting: I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying, "Okay, sure, you say that; I disagree with what you say, and here's why, but feel free to think how you like." As you well know, in theater as in any art, there is no right or wrong answer until the show opens. Then there are either right answers [if it was a hit] or, in hindsight, a few right answers and plenty of wrong ones [in the case of a flop].)

[ashkent7]

I come here, and Jim's board, because of something real.

Soap opera's belong on TV.

Let's keep it about something real. Something you can reach out an feel if you prefer.

Many salutations and long nights to you all.

[ThatWriterGuy]

All I'll say is 'feel free to come back to me once you've actually seen it'.

[eltmatt]

I've seen both, all I can say is WWRY feels like a thrown together Jukebox musical, Bat has depth and does not feel that way.

I'd love to know more about this individuals business dealings with Jim

[letsgotoofar]

The time and place will come for that soon enough.

[Kev]

I went last night and to be fair, it was pretty amazing. Seeing What Part Of My Body brought tears to my eyes - in fact a lot of the second half did.

I'm not going to bore everyone with details but it was exceptional. I'm not too sure if this was because it was the final preview before tonight's 'opening'.

We were invited down by management so didn't pay for tickets but would have been more than happy to pay for what we saw.

[AG1990]

Hi all,

Just posting the link to our official ★★★★★ review from last night's sensational Bat Out of Hell press night at the Manchester Opera House:

http://www.theartsshelf.com/2017/03/15/latest-review-bat-out-of-hell-opera-house-manchester/

Adam G,
The Arts Shelf

[Danny L]

All 5* reviews. A TRIUMPH.

And word has it that after Manchester there will be a cast album, some recording has taken place.

[eltmatt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyv8UGmekxA&feature=youtu.be

[Danny L]

Naughty but fab - can't wait for the official cast recording, relive the night over and over and over again!

[ashkent7]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyv8UGmekxA&feature=youtu.be

For me this has always been Jim's lost masterpiece - having never been fully realised with The Dream Engine group - but finally it's arrived.

[Wario]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyv8UGmekxA&feature=youtu.be

They are just standing like sticks wtf.

great vocals

[samurai7]

I'd love there to be a movie adaptation. If the best picture awards can go to La La Land in 2017, then there'll never be a better time is there to pitch the idea...

[AndrewG]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyv8UGmekxA&feature=youtu.be

This really should have been graced by Meat's vocals between 2006-2010 :(

[AndrewG]

I'd love there to be a movie adaptation. If the best picture awards can go to La La Land in 2017, then there'll never be a better time is there to pitch the idea...

Except La La Land didn't win, or did it, or did it not, or did it? ;) IMO the director's previous film Whiplash was far superior (also nominated but not in as many departments). To me bizarre Oscar nominations to get 15 but this constantly happens. I doubt the technical nominations are so easily justified.

Always thought Original Sin could have formed the basis for a musical movie.

[PanicLord]

They are just standing like sticks wtf.

great vocals

Not entirely true, but trust me, when you see it live, that's all that's needed. It was awesome.

[Wario]

This really should have been graced by Meat's vocals between 2006-2010 :(

Meat might have already recorded it back then and theyll use his recording possibly

I hope. otherwise, no

[ashkent7]

I would love to have heard what was worked on for Bat 3 before it all fell apart to see the difference, and I did always wonder if Body had already been recorded and abandoned - also the full Only When I Feel (Break It) considering Meat was singing it live as being on Bat 3 you would have thought they would have recorded something of before it got butchered.

As for the staging, I think it is the one song that speaks volumes with the need for anything other than two people and a whole lot of passion.

[eltmatt]

There is a lot of movement/dancing going on in a lot of the songs, this is one where it just needs to be sang passionately to get its point across.

[hairy vince]

Off to see the show in just over a week - very excited.

Was up in Manchester this past weekend for business and there is a lot of advertising around which is no bad thing.

Popped into the Tourist Information Centre, one of the staff there had seen it - her review

"There have been one or two technical problems, but you will understand why when you see it - the actual show is quite light on story but the performances are outstanding"

[AndyK]

The Manchester run has been extended back to its original length with tickets on sale now for the extra 3 weeks until Saturday April 29th.

[ashkent7]

Someone mentioned a DVD release which I really don't see happening anytime in the next decade if the musical does well - based on the fact I know of only probably 3 stage shows that have had official releases on DVD like the anniversary Phantom performance, and there have been bootlegs/press copies of Tanz, WWRY, Wicked floating around.

The thing I always think is that is would be good for any new musical to make full professional recordings of maybe 5 or 6 shows from different angles and focussing on different things early in their runs that can be stored away so that if they do close at any point they can then release a full DVD. A bit like what Bruce has done with his concerts for the last twenty years, just recording everything so that at some point people might get to witness something they otherwise never would. With Bat, it could even just be to be able to see this cast again in a decade.

For me that has always been one positive about concert bootlegs, and in some ways recordings that have been done of shows in theatres. It might not be good theatre etiquette, but without it there would be a lot never witnessed and never seen.

[letsgotoofar]

Finally something I can comment on that TWG can't get all shirty about! :-P

We producers would love to make a regular release schedule of pro-shot DVDs of shows happen, but for it to work for us, and to keep going at a more steady rate, people need to buy these like they buy Hollywood blockbusters, and they just don't.

Don't get me wrong, some of the complaints that other producers make about such DVDs ("filming shows conveys a deadly idea, that the film version of a show is a reasonable substitute for the live show, and that's the exact opposite of the message we want to communicate; besides, given the rise in ticket prices, who's to say someone doesn't opt for the DVD instead and take money out of our pocket?") are bullshit. It's intelligent not just in terms of preservation, but in terms of revenue for live performances, as seen from the upward spike in ticket sales that long-running Broadway shows like Chicago and The Phantom of the Opera received when their movies came out.

(To be fair, some arguments from the "let's film everything!" side are bullshit as well. While such taping could expand interest in theater, from a purely economic standpoint, Broadway is not dying. Grosses last year increased in record numbers. Flop rates generally have remained the same for a long time. Some would argue that the giant ticket price increases in the past few years may seem a big reason for Broadway to buckle under its own weight, but the numbers indicate that the audience has simply shifted. Now, New York is a destination for tourists. The industry simply hasn't gotten to a point of "adapt or die" for media accessibility, even if your favorite shows are closing, and an "evolution" where we move more toward taped theater will only be necessary when theater-going as a hobby/tourist attraction falls in both ticket sales and gross.)

I digress. Let me redirect: most producers' arguments against taping are bullshit. However, the cost. THE COST, MAN. It's called show business (emphasis mine) for a reason. Allowing for the fact that theater is legally defined as a high-risk investment, most people who invest in a business venture generally want to see a return on their investment. And a video is a serious investment, both of time and money, with little chance of return, especially when it is a filmed record of a live performance. The bottom line, sad to say, is money. And the problem with filming and releasing musicals (or even plays) is that it's simply not lucrative.

(Before we continue, I should add I'm not talking about filmed theater by not-for-profit entities such as the Metropolitan Opera, Live From Lincoln Center on PBS, NTLive, etc. -- those groups have generous donors who are able to foot the bill and pay for shows to be recorded without worrying about a return on their investment. And notice that they often neatly sidestep such for-profit production issues as royalties, marketing costs, distribution, etc., by just doing an HD broadcast instead of a commercial release.)

To explain why it's so hard and so expensive, I'll break down the process for you:


Securing the rights. Film/broadcast rights are not automatically granted to the producers of the show, so one would have to work out an arrangement with the author(s) and composer(s), both in terms of an initial upfront payment and in terms of royalties.
Pre-, during-, and post-filming union costs. Bear in mind I'm not just talking union salaries which get an increase due to filming, which is substantial enough; one has to contend with Equity (the actors' union), the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, United Scenic Artists, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and so on when it comes to salary hikes. But then there's the copyright issue, where we're talking about royalties after the fact, in addition to the salary hikes, to the creative team for use of blocking/staging, choreography, production design, etc. The work of a creative team on each production is copyrightable. This isn't something we can avoid, and it gets pricy.
The filming itself, and production costs. Filming of a really good pro-shot feature tends to be a three-day affair. Day 1 is done so that they can make sure all the equipment is working, and so the crew can see the show and get an idea of what they want to film, how best to shoot a specific scene or song, etc. Days 2 and 3 are actual recordings, and they do two days so they can cut together the best of what they get. As for the audience, on infrequent occasions at least one of the days is a normal performance where people have paid to be there, but the majority of the time, the audience for filming is chosen from a paper service like Black List or Black Tie (to rule out any of the conceivable unpredictable mishaps involving a real live audience), and tickets are free for all the shows, which is more money out of the producers' pockets. Aside from that, a fully realized filming costs real money, not only including paying everyone, but also for the entire bucket of what it costs to make a "professional" movie. These days, many shows only finally tie up enough capital to get past opening night at the eleventh hour; no way producers would take on the added burden. Whether released before or after a show closes, someone has to pony up the huge cost of filming, editing (and any other post-production), and releasing, which -- on the low end -- is at least $500,000 or more. Money they will likely never see back in their lifetime.
Finding a distributor. That's a whole other bag of cats, as, especially in this day and age, theater simply doesn't have widespread appeal with the evolution of other entertainment media, which is still spreading. The only shows that could potentially turn a profit from these would be the mega-hits (name brands like anything by Cirque du Soleil, or shows like Les Mis, Phantom, Rent, Cats, etc.), which hardly need it. Releasing a recording of a newer, comparatively obscure piece, no matter how much one loves it, would never be anything but even more money down the drain. Here's an example of an artistically-successful-but-commercially-D.O.A. Broadway show that got filmed: Passing Strange. Exceptionally well-filmed (by Spike Lee, no less), well-reviewed, a fine film recording of a show. So explain why the interest level is such that the video cannot be found among the top 10,000 titles on Amazon. One can point to newer distribution platforms, like online streaming (iTunes, Amazon, Hulu, etc.) or made-to-order DVDs, both of which sound like safe bets for profitability to the layman, but the problem with those is mainly that the technology is too new for theater as a whole to catch up with, and especially so with regard to unions (who haven't even begun to split hairs over royalties and other issues on digital platforms).


What all of this boils down to is that, after all is said and done, the relatively few people who actually purchase the DVD don't constitute enough revenue to create a good profit margin. There are always exceptions to what I've said above, but they also always have a reason that they are the exception and not the rule.

For example, Shrek: The Musical was part of a franchise propped up by DreamWorks, who can afford to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars on a DVD because they see it as an important, long-term investment, the accepted "price" of increasing exposure for its film/merchandise franchise to a larger audience.

And then there's the live DVD of Rent, which was already a popular property with a guaranteed audience base that had just made a fairly successful film only a couple years prior (or at least successful enough for Sony to sign on to distribute), the one which had the added "X factor" of being a special event (i.e., closing night). (In fact, the "special event" branding can be helpful -- special events or limited runs, for example the Les Mis anniversary shoots, get some degree of priority because that means the already limited buyers' demographic might increase.)

An example of avoiding what I'm talking about is Legally Blonde. Notice how it was never made available for sale, just broadcast on MTV a few times. It costs a ton more money for retail/direct-to-consumer distribution than to just have MTV pay you a fee to broadcast it on their channel. In this case, the producers of Legally Blonde, who likely covered some (or most) of the filming production expenses, were guaranteed a set amount of money from Viacom for the broadcasting rights. It's likely that they were then privy to additional fees if certain ratings benchmarks were achieved. That is cash in the bank, as opposed to waiting to see what the sales numbers on a DVD are and ending up "in the red."

Now, Bat in particular has a lot of things going for it (brand recognition in the form of the title and a recognizable score, to name two) that a lot of other examples of potential musicals filmed for DVD don't. But it still faces the same costs, and the same issue of potential profit. In the UK and Europe, it might go like hotcakes (let's face it, shows with brand recognition that only exists in mainly those areas have been filmed, like Elisabeth, Boy George's Taboo, Our House, Jerry Springer The Opera, etc.), but this needs to have universal appeal to approach serious profitability, and let's face it -- in America, Meat and Jim are mainly remembered by the broad public as those guys who did that one song back in '77 and that other song in '93 that get played at school dances and weddings every now and then. It's a niche interest. Only Jim fans (and to a certain extent Meat fans) know or care that this exists.

I would like it to be filmed professionally. I'd very much like to see it. And there is a good chance that at some point something will be filmed for archival purposes (the Theater On Film & Tape Archive at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts makes inexpensive archival recordings of Broadway shows, only available for viewing to serious researchers, at minimal cost, but those tapings basically aim a camera at the stage, and pan occasionally, and that's it). But I don't know if a commercial release is on the cards unless or until the show gains more of a reputation and is a bigger success. (And sometimes not even then -- notice no DVD of Wicked or Hamilton is coming out any time soon. Why set aside money to professionally film even a hit, when it's hard enough to fund a show as it is without throwing in the additional cost of filming a video which is probably even less likely to be profitable than the show itself?)

[AndrewG]

In an era of HD and where they pretty much only now sell new TVs with 4K capability I'm astonished many still talk about DVDs and we still have so much SD broadcast channels. No point filming things professionally if you are then going to watch things in fuzzy SD on a 55 inch TV. :roll: They might as well film it with a potato otherwise.

If they were going to film the Bat musical at any point this year or beyond it should at least be done in 4K resolution and there shouldn't be anything less than a Blu Ray or by then 4K Blu ray released with particular focus on on demand movie sales.

[letsgotoofar]

And it would still be about as profitable as a shoeshine stand in a mudslide, for all the reasons listed above. (Hell, probably even less if one restricts it to formats that are still fairly new to many minds, like Blu-Ray. That people are still talking about DVDs and standard definition should tell you how behind the times the industry -- and the general public, to a certain extent, or else why still market the bloody things -- is. Technology is advancing way past some people's capability to keep up with it, and that poses a problem when marketing entertainment product.)

[ashkent7]

I've seen low quality non audience recordings of We Will Rock You and others...I think Jekyll and Hyde might have been one...which were never recorded to be released, but are more than just single shot pan and scan. I would also have thought with cameras already being used in quite a few scenes in Bat and put on the screens in the theatre, it would have made it easier to record something for posterity (I'm not talking million dollar blockbuster movie, just more if this ends tomorrow we have something to look back on...and that could be actors changing, the show changing etc)

I'm more thinking of the amount of shows that have come and gone that may actually have been enjoyed by people. I think technically now you have said it, is I'm thinking more of the broadway archive but much more accessible and known to the public. That's just something I've had a bee in my bonnet about for years, long before Bat, but I bring it down to the fact that without such recordings surfacing, I would never have seen Steve Barton performing as Krolock.

I have no links to theatre production and costing, but I have always thought that it is pretty common sense to see that film and DVD recordings of shows has no impact on the sales of tickets - as you said there are plenty of shows that have had various screen adaptations and still pack in the crowds. To me there are three different types of people when it comes to this stuff. People who will go to the theatre for the experience of live performance. People who wouldn't go to the theatre if they were paid, but would watch a film or recorded version in a cinema or at home. People who would like to see theatre shows but for what ever reason could never get to see them - for example if Bat opened in Manchester and had been staying there for good, there would be many in say America who would never have been able to see it because maybe they can't travel, or its far too expensive to come to the UK for it, whatever. Just my simple view of it.

As for HD/4k...it's all just overhype to me. I've got a 50" TV and have used HD on TV so much I cancelled the subscription I was paying for it. From across the room the difference is minimal unless you're watching something originally made in the 80s/early 90s and most times they can't do anything about that graininess, or you have crystal 20/20 vision which I don't think I've had since I was 6. I can still spot the clues on Sherlock, see the blood splats on Game Of Thrones and see the detailed innards of a zombie on the Walking Dead whether its HD or SD. Plus downloading HD stuff takes up too much room. I'd rather download 40 things in SD than 20 in HD. Again though, might just be me.

[ashkent7]

I just remembered, the Rocky Horror Anniversary show that was broadcast to cinema (and subsequently appeared on YouTube and is still there 18 months later) was the other one I was thinking of. Obviously there was the film, and there is that live broadcast out there for people to watch for free, but I'm pretty sure ticket sales haven't dwindled because of it on the recent tour. It was a special cast in a performance that wouldn't otherwise have been seen again, so I'm happy it appeared after the event ( I did go to the cinema when it was originally broadcast) because for me it was one of the best I'd seen, but it didn't stop me going to see it when it was nearby locally on the tour the next year. So, no I don't think it is right to tar everything with the "it's taking money out of my pocket" brush. If the show is that good, it will continue to thrive and if anything should gain even more interest from someone seeing it in another format if anything.

[ashkent7]

I'm astonished many still talk about DVDs

I think it's the same reason so many people say "I've video'd it". You just say what you're used to....and I can't be faffed on saying high resolution Blu-ray when DVD rolls much better. :D When I say it, I basically mean anything that comes on a disc that you play on a TV.

[proctorloaf]

Just a quick one to say that Press Night was awesome and the show is in such a good shape now. Well done to all involved for a beautiful production! Not allowed to love, done simply is stunning!!!

[PanicLord]

One of the most extraordinary things about the musical is that now when I listen to Jim's other music, I imagine them being sung by the characters from and situations in the show. And everything works and everything has a deeper meaning. Evening something like Tyre Tracks And Broken Hearts which was from a different musical entirely!

Amazing

[eltmatt]

Tyre tracks? I dont remember hearing that in.

[Danny L]

One of the most extraordinary things about the musical is that now when I listen to Jim's other music, I imagine them being sung by the characters from and situations in the show. And everything works and everything has a deeper meaning. Evening something like Tyre Tracks And Broken Hearts which was from a different musical entirely!

Amazing

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS POST!!

It resonates strongly for me with Total Eclipse and Braver Than WE Are/Going All The Way

[PanicLord]

Tyre tracks? I dont remember hearing that in.

Exactly... Jim's OTHER music 😀

[ashkent7]

Exactly... Jim's OTHER music 😀

I think its similar to what i said after listening to and putting the story to the songs of Braver Than We Are - You could take that plot and insert pretty much any other song and it would fit somewhere to expand the story - like you can interweave the three parts of Paradise through Going All The Way, Loving You and Souvenirs, you can add It just Won't quit after Only When I Feel and on and on. The characters of the musical are the next advancement of that - the ultimate one probably. It goes all the way back to the quote Meat said on loads of interviews in the 90s. "Every song Jim writes goes into Neverland." The versions of those characters are now in the musical and they are the characters that everything Jim's done has be written for in some way. I have no doubt that if you had ten hours to work with you could make every one of the songs fit without needing to change much at all. No wonder there were so many in and outs with the song list.

[Danny L]

In that case when the time comes I don't want a movie, they should do it as a 10 episode series on NBC :P

[proctorloaf]

I don't want a DVD - I want a 7 hour NEVERLAND - the very best of Jim Steinman album containing ALL the songs!

[Danny L]

I don't want a DVD - I want a 7 hour NEVERLAND - the very best of Jim Steinman album containing ALL the songs!

OOooh could be a fan compilation album project?!

[Cherry.Loaf]

can anyone advise me on the runtime? Looking to book our coach tickets :)

[AndyK]

can anyone advise me on the runtime? Looking to book our coach tickets :)

Around 2 hours 40 with interval.

[ashkent7]

So finally went to see the musical this afternoon.

First here is my spoiler free, succinct review for those who still don't want details(where have you been to avoid them???).

Bat Out Of Hell The Musical is the most emotionally charged, stunningly executed phenomenally performed piece of rock and roll fantasy to ever hit the stage. Desmond Child said of Bat 3 "this is the future of the Bat Out Of Hell franchise." No. THIS is the future of Bat Out Of Hell.

Now, the detailed version.

I love a good musical. I love Jim's songs. I love Meat. There was pretty much no way that I wasn't going to like this. But actually sitting there, as the lights suddenly went out with a crash of thunder and a single shaft of light illuminates Andrew Polec as he shouts the iconic words “I remember everything!” I realised very quickly that there was actually no way I was leaving there without having the same feelings I had the first time I saw Meat as an 11 year old.

And so it starts. The first thing that I noticed was that those saying Andrew channels Meat…no. By pretty much the end of the opening monologue and certainly after around ten minutes, what I am actually watching is what would have happening when Bad For Good was released if Jim himself had the stage presence of Meat. Andrew’s Strat is the forever young Peter Pan that Jim has always been in the songs he writes and in the world he has created for them.

The opening number, a brilliantly crafted hybrid of All Revved Up, Break It, the instrumental piece best known as “God has left the building” in the Dance of The Vampires demos and Everything Louder rocks, and also works well as an introduction to many of the characters. The first act has a complete assault of spectacular vocal after vocal, as well as some good little nods to things to come, and the whole show is packed with more easter eggs than even the Easter Bunny can carry. The number of lines that to non fans would probably go unnoticed, but to me instantly stand out (It hurts only when I feel, The sea is whipping the sky). There’s tension, comedy, drama, melodrama.

Life Is a lemon gets a brief run out on Raven’s radio, Frying pan’s now expanded appearance now feels right. Songs like just won’t quit, the stunning duet of Two Out Of Three – which like so much of this show brings a completely new context and deeper meaning to the songs I’ve known so well for thirty years – and the comedic turns of Rob and Sharon on Who Needs The Young and what is possibly the most raucous, sexually charged and destructive Paradise put on stage – even beyond anything Meat put on stage and that’s saying something – all lead to the fitting first half conclusion as Andrew proves his worth with the cataclysmic vision of Bat, complete with a motorbike that splits itself in two, blood, confetti canons and a vocal tour de force that gets the audience reaction it thoroughly deserves.

Onto the second half, and for me there are two distinct parts of this musical. Part one is a rock and roll spectacular extravaganza about lust, rebellion, control and losing control. Part two sticks its hands deep into the chest to try and pull out the heart mangled by the first Act’s culminating crash.

The dark, sadistic opener of Land Of The Pig, with hanging bodies, electrocution and all manner of depravation under the command of Rob’s joyously maniacal turn, sets the tone for what is coming. However, it is the gorgeous, haunting and emotionally destructive version of Heaven Can Wait, the lighting on which chokes out whatever emotion you haven’t given up to that point, followed by a magnificent version of Objects are beyond words and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. For Crying Out Loud is staged brilliantly. The previously teased “On A Hot Summer Night” monologue finally gets its pay off and You Took The Words works so well without the break that was originally in there during previews. The quiet, heart tugging Not Allowed To Love sees the song simplified from what was originally to feature in the Batman musical a decade ago, but it doesn’t lose anything for it. And then comes the song that I have loved for over ten years and have finally found my definitive version. What Part of My Body Hurts The Most is performed by Rob and Sharon with the most emotional performance I think I have witnessed in any context, any production or just anything. It has been mentioned that nothing much happens during the song. It does. What happens is you see and feel the moment in two lives when everything finally falls apart. It needs nothing more than it has, and for me cements my belief that Rob Fowler is for me every bit the show’s star as much as Andrew.

Crowd pleaser Dead Ringer For Love is a welcome break from the emotion, before Tink’s death leads to a divine version of Rock And Roll Dreams that again takes more from Jim’s Bad For Good version than the Bat 2 one, and the choral ending of it just sublime and again gets you right in the heart.

The dual finale of All Coming Back To Me Now and Anything For Love rounds of the show in a story closing epic that showcases the vocal talents of all the main case and then some.

I really cannot truly describe how I felt when the Bat reprise kicked in. I felt drained, elated, rocked, reborn and everything in between. Meat has always stood by the fact that you need to have a good character to truly bring a song to life and not just be another good singer singing Steinman songs. There is not a single member of that cast that doesn’t completely own every song.

A couple of things that didn’t get me quite raving; I couldn’t help thinking that the bats are sadly not as effective as they could be. I knew they were coming and love it, but I did notice that hardly anyone in the stalls seemed to notice them flying out. I don’t know if it is to do with the lighting, or just that actors by that point have everyone completely mesmerised, but it just seems to not get the appreciation it should. Whether having them actually fly around the stage then out would work better (I know the programming of them is set to do what they do and not sure how much that can be changed) but I think it just deserves something more because it is a neat gimmick.

The other thing, is the dancing. My dad, who I went with, said afterwards that he though the show was brilliant and he would definitely see it again (which isn’t something he says very often) but he also said the dancing was a bit naff. My sister has been a professional dancer, including junior tap champion three years running once upon a time, for 20 years and in that time our parents have travelled all over the country for competitions, events and shows, so have seen more dancing than I will probably see In my life, so my dad has seen his fair share. For me, I would put it a bit differently. The dancing in the main is forgettable at the time you are watching it. With the exception of Dead Ringer and a few other scenes when the stage is full of people dancing and it is part of the scene naturally, I actually kept forgetting the dancers were even there. I couldn’t tell you much about what they were doing during paradise (I remember them getting undressed at one point), the same during Objects, It Just Won’t Quit… That is why it doesn’t matter that there aren’t any during What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most. There is enough happening, even with just two people performing to hold the attention without the need for a load of random arm movements (there were a couple of times Raven was doing strange movements with her arms during some of her scenes that really didn’t need to be there.

And then there’s the camera use. I love the idea and the close use of the camera in the bedroom scenes and others. It is perfect for those seats that are slightly out of view. But there are a few that make the actual scene clunky because there is someone dressed in black with a huge camera blocking the actual view of the scene and the characters to get the shot for the screen. It was mainly the first scene that it was obvious, not so much after that.

But none of that detracts from the awesome two and half hours of sheer rock and roll heaven that is Bat Out Of Hell The Musical. Jim is a master of his craft, and I don’t think there is anyone else who could take a 40+ year old piece and recycle it into something magical, new, breath taking and awe inspiring in the way he has. I thought I knew these songs, but I had barely scratched the surface. This is JIM STEINMAN’s Bat Out Of Hell, and his inspiration and legacy is complexly contained within is content. Even some of the dancing can be linked back to his own performances and videos from Bad For Good. If this is his legacy, then I couldn’t think of any way it could have been bettered.

[eltmatt]

Great review, agree with it all. Now can someone turn up the PA :p

[nightinr]

Saw this on youtube and is a decent copy of the second part of the musical apart from the crackly sound at times.

Two minds whether to post this on here but not everyone is fortunate to live near Manchester, London etc. And not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford the cost of the musical. Unbelievably they have put the prices up for the extended run of the Manchester shows. Very strange considering most of the shows are less than 50% capacity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRMH2ODa7Vk

[eltmatt]

Hmm, wonder who filmed/posted that :p

[eddy<meat-loaf>rocky]

Saw this on youtube and is a decent copy of the second part of the musical apart from the crackly sound at times.

Two minds whether to post this on here but not everyone is fortunate to live near Manchester, London etc. And not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford the cost of the musical. Unbelievably they have put the prices up for the extended run of the Manchester shows. Very strange considering most of the shows are less than 50% capacity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRMH2ODa7Vk

the price goes up to cover the cost of hiring the theater :) and cost of staff electric ect

[ajf33]

and now part one also - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzq14kO_Dh4

[Mr Flibble]

Went to see this on Saturday. it wasn't Andrew Polac playing Sloane but Benjamin Purkiss and he was absolutely amazing! Aaron was also brilliant as Tink. In fact the cast were all brilliant.

Highlights for me were Paradise by the Dashboard light, Tink's song (the new one) and his exit, Dead ringer for Love and Benjamin killing it with Bat Out of hell.

The only thing I would have changed was some of the video bits on screen. In the first half it wasn't so bas as you could see into the 1st story bedroom. In the second half there was a screen up and both that and the TV quality made those scenes a bit hard to see. Despite this it was a great show and one of about 4 shows I've seen in my life that I want to go and see again (the others being Wicked, Book of Mormon and the Lion King).

[Danny L]

Went to see this on Saturday. it wasn't Andrew Polac playing Sloane

You mean Strat? Sharon Sexton was Sloane.

[Mr Flibble]

Yeah sorry i meant Strat.

[ajf33]

Perhaps not surprised to say both parts now taken down.

[eltmatt]

Yes by some whinging goody two shoes, I'd counter their claim but can't be bothered really.

[Ben]

I have one ticket for sale for the opening night in London... 5th June.. stalls E3... face value + booking fee (86.25) - offers may be considered :)

[proctorloaf]

the cast album is being recorded this week. Who's going to buy it?

[PanicLord]

the cast album is being recorded this week. Who's going to buy it?

ME!!!!

[Danny L]

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[clem]

interested...can you pm me please ??

[jcmoorehead]

I'll definitely be looking into buying it. Doubt I'll get a chance to see this performed so having that will be the next best thing.

[nightinr]

Interestingly a lot of people are saying Ben Purkiss (understudy Strat) is better than Andrew Polec.

[ThatWriterGuy]

Interestingly a lot of people are saying Ben Purkiss (understudy Strat) is better than Andrew Polec.

No, they're not.

[letsgotoofar]

I was gonna say, in a rare moment of agreement, that actually all the buzz I saw was pretty much that, were it not for vocal strain or exhaustion, Polec should be doing it all the time.

[Wario]

No, they're not.

Yes they are and I agree

[nightinr]

Yes they are and I agree

Yep Purkiss has grown into the role. Was a bit too "west end" at first but now plays the part great.

[proctorloaf]

Ben is nowhere near Andrew, sorry.

[eltmatt]

I've seen it 3 times, twice with Andrew. Ben is a fine singer/actor but Andrew is perfect for the role.

[clem]

Couldnt have said it better.......

[clem]

So finally went to see the musical this afternoon.

First here is my spoiler free, succinct review for those who still don't want details(where have you been to avoid them???).

Bat Out Of Hell The Musical is the most emotionally charged, stunningly executed phenomenally performed piece of rock and roll fantasy to ever hit the stage. Desmond Child said of Bat 3 "this is the future of the Bat Out Of Hell franchise." No. THIS is the future of Bat Out Of Hell.

Now, the detailed version.

I love a good musical. I love Jim's songs. I love Meat. There was pretty much no way that I wasn't going to like this. But actually sitting there, as the lights suddenly went out with a crash of thunder and a single shaft of light illuminates Andrew Polec as he shouts the iconic words “I remember everything!” I realised very quickly that there was actually no way I was leaving there without having the same feelings I had the first time I saw Meat as an 11 year old.

And so it starts. The first thing that I noticed was that those saying Andrew channels Meat…no. By pretty much the end of the opening monologue and certainly after around ten minutes, what I am actually watching is what would have happening when Bad For Good was released if Jim himself had the stage presence of Meat. Andrew’s Strat is the forever young Peter Pan that Jim has always been in the songs he writes and in the world he has created for them.

The opening number, a brilliantly crafted hybrid of All Revved Up, Break It, the instrumental piece best known as “God has left the building” in the Dance of The Vampires demos and Everything Louder rocks, and also works well as an introduction to many of the characters. The first act has a complete assault of spectacular vocal after vocal, as well as some good little nods to things to come, and the whole show is packed with more easter eggs than even the Easter Bunny can carry. The number of lines that to non fans would probably go unnoticed, but to me instantly stand out (It hurts only when I feel, The sea is whipping the sky). There’s tension, comedy, drama, melodrama.

Life Is a lemon gets a brief run out on Raven’s radio, Frying pan’s now expanded appearance now feels right. Songs like just won’t quit, the stunning duet of Two Out Of Three – which like so much of this show brings a completely new context and deeper meaning to the songs I’ve known so well for thirty years – and the comedic turns of Rob and Sharon on Who Needs The Young and what is possibly the most raucous, sexually charged and destructive Paradise put on stage – even beyond anything Meat put on stage and that’s saying something – all lead to the fitting first half conclusion as Andrew proves his worth with the cataclysmic vision of Bat, complete with a motorbike that splits itself in two, blood, confetti canons and a vocal tour de force that gets the audience reaction it thoroughly deserves.

Onto the second half, and for me there are two distinct parts of this musical. Part one is a rock and roll spectacular extravaganza about lust, rebellion, control and losing control. Part two sticks its hands deep into the chest to try and pull out the heart mangled by the first Act’s culminating crash.

The dark, sadistic opener of Land Of The Pig, with hanging bodies, electrocution and all manner of depravation under the command of Rob’s joyously maniacal turn, sets the tone for what is coming. However, it is the gorgeous, haunting and emotionally destructive version of Heaven Can Wait, the lighting on which chokes out whatever emotion you haven’t given up to that point, followed by a magnificent version of Objects are beyond words and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. For Crying Out Loud is staged brilliantly. The previously teased “On A Hot Summer Night” monologue finally gets its pay off and You Took The Words works so well without the break that was originally in there during previews. The quiet, heart tugging Not Allowed To Love sees the song simplified from what was originally to feature in the Batman musical a decade ago, but it doesn’t lose anything for it. And then comes the song that I have loved for over ten years and have finally found my definitive version. What Part of My Body Hurts The Most is performed by Rob and Sharon with the most emotional performance I think I have witnessed in any context, any production or just anything. It has been mentioned that nothing much happens during the song. It does. What happens is you see and feel the moment in two lives when everything finally falls apart. It needs nothing more than it has, and for me cements my belief that Rob Fowler is for me every bit the show’s star as much as Andrew.

Crowd pleaser Dead Ringer For Love is a welcome break from the emotion, before Tink’s death leads to a divine version of Rock And Roll Dreams that again takes more from Jim’s Bad For Good version than the Bat 2 one, and the choral ending of it just sublime and again gets you right in the heart.

The dual finale of All Coming Back To Me Now and Anything For Love rounds of the show in a story closing epic that showcases the vocal talents of all the main case and then some.

I really cannot truly describe how I felt when the Bat reprise kicked in. I felt drained, elated, rocked, reborn and everything in between. Meat has always stood by the fact that you need to have a good character to truly bring a song to life and not just be another good singer singing Steinman songs. There is not a single member of that cast that doesn’t completely own every song.

A couple of things that didn’t get me quite raving; I couldn’t help thinking that the bats are sadly not as effective as they could be. I knew they were coming and love it, but I did notice that hardly anyone in the stalls seemed to notice them flying out. I don’t know if it is to do with the lighting, or just that actors by that point have everyone completely mesmerised, but it just seems to not get the appreciation it should. Whether having them actually fly around the stage then out would work better (I know the programming of them is set to do what they do and not sure how much that can be changed) but I think it just deserves something more because it is a neat gimmick.

The other thing, is the dancing. My dad, who I went with, said afterwards that he though the show was brilliant and he would definitely see it again (which isn’t something he says very often) but he also said the dancing was a bit naff. My sister has been a professional dancer, including junior tap champion three years running once upon a time, for 20 years and in that time our parents have travelled all over the country for competitions, events and shows, so have seen more dancing than I will probably see In my life, so my dad has seen his fair share. For me, I would put it a bit differently. The dancing in the main is forgettable at the time you are watching it. With the exception of Dead Ringer and a few other scenes when the stage is full of people dancing and it is part of the scene naturally, I actually kept forgetting the dancers were even there. I couldn’t tell you much about what they were doing during paradise (I remember them getting undressed at one point), the same during Objects, It Just Won’t Quit… That is why it doesn’t matter that there aren’t any during What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most. There is enough happening, even with just two people performing to hold the attention without the need for a load of random arm movements (there were a couple of times Raven was doing strange movements with her arms during some of her scenes that really didn’t need to be there.

And then there’s the camera use. I love the idea and the close use of the camera in the bedroom scenes and others. It is perfect for those seats that are slightly out of view. But there are a few that make the actual scene clunky because there is someone dressed in black with a huge camera blocking the actual view of the scene and the characters to get the shot for the screen. It was mainly the first scene that it was obvious, not so much after that.

But none of that detracts from the awesome two and half hours of sheer rock and roll heaven that is Bat Out Of Hell The Musical. Jim is a master of his craft, and I don’t think there is anyone else who could take a 40+ year old piece and recycle it into something magical, new, breath taking and awe inspiring in the way he has. I thought I knew these songs, but I had barely scratched the surface. This is JIM STEINMAN’s Bat Out Of Hell, and his inspiration and legacy is complexly contained within is content. Even some of the dancing can be linked back to his own performances and videos from Bad For Good. If this is his legacy, then I couldn’t think of any way it could have been bettered.

couldnt have said it better.........

[ThatWriterGuy]

Yes they are and I agree

I think that the difference is this:

By 'a lot of people' you mean 'three people on the Internet', and by 'a lot of people also' I mean 'almost everyone who comes in and out of those doors every night'.

[Nige78]

Finally made it to the final night in Manchester and absolutely loved it! Will definitely try and see it again in London.

I would post a detailed review but I couldn't do any better than the one a few posts above.

[ashkent7]

I haven't seen Ben other than in a couple of video clips so can't really compare the two, but what i can say is its been a while since i saw the show in Manchester now and I - you know what's coming - remember every little thing as if it happened only yesterday.

And what i really remember is that from the opening moment to the last bow, not only did Andrew have immense stage presence, for me he was the living embodiment of the character Jim has been writing about for decades. Andrew for me in that 2 hours plus, WAS Jim in many ways, and what in another reality Jim would have liked to be. Like I say, I can't comment on Ben - other than his look not being as...let's say frantic - but like everything, I'm sure there are some who prefer his take on the role. It comes down to one truth about any role in any show though...there's a reason Andrew is the lead and Ben is understudy.

[Ben]

TICKETS FOR SALE

Hi have 1 ticket for 5th June (opening night) for sale.. STALLS SEAT E3 (£86.25) and 2 tickets available for 26th June BALCONY A23 and A24. (£57.50 he pair).

I am only after face value although I may accept sensible offers.

Message me if interested

[ThatWriterGuy]

MORE TICKETS FOR SALE

Due to severe and unforeseen illness, I have a couple of tickets for:

Tuesday 6th June at 7:30.

Dress circle centre, C29 and C30 (best view in the house? Close enough).

Face value is £96.50 each (though I'm selling as a pair for face value or reasonable offers).

As you may have guessed they're not my tickets - I'm selling for a very good friend who is sadly now unable to go (long story, and unfortunately not a good one).

Feel free to drop me a PM for details, photos, offers, etc.

To anyone who hasn't seen it but will be -- I hope you enjoy! :cool:

[roomster]

I see that others post tickets for sale in this thread, so I'll guess it's ok for me to market my tickets here too...

I have four (2x2) tickets for the Bat-musical that I sell for under face value.

I secured the tickets very early and scored good seats.

10th July:

STALLS-section
£160
(original price £175.95)

11th July:

DRESS-section
£200
(original price £221.55)

See more information here:
http://www.mlukfc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20312

:D

[chairboys]

Booked!
I'm off to London to see Bat Out Of Hell The Musical with my boys.
Mildly excited.

[Sue K]

Booked!
I'm off to London to see Bat Out Of Hell The Musical with my boys.
Mildly excited.

lol ... "mildly excited" ...made me giggle... thanks... I needed that ...

[Danny L]

http://www.iheartradio.ca/news/meat-loaf-will-help-launch-bat-out-of-hell-the-musical-with-free-mini-concert-in-toronto-1.2600191

Bat Out of Hell has a press launch in Toronto Monday with Meat, Andrew and Christina, same format as before with harleys and a street concert.

[anotherday]

http://www.iheartradio.ca/news/meat-loaf-will-help-launch-bat-out-of-hell-the-musical-with-free-mini-concert-in-toronto-1.2600191

Bat Out of Hell has a press launch in Toronto Monday with Meat, Andrew and Christina, same format as before with harleys and a street concert.

Hope this one is streamed as well or captured for Youtube!

EDIT: Pretty sure if its the same format that Andrew/Christina will perform and not Meat, but interesting bit of writing there.

[Vickip]

Hope this one is streamed as well or captured for Youtube!


:up:


EDIT: Pretty sure if its the same format that Andrew/Christina will perform and not Meat, but interesting bit of writing there.

Exactly :D According to one of the articles I read, Meat will be introducing the musical (like he did in the UK), and Andrew / Christina will be performing 4 songs.

[stretch37]

Hope this one is streamed as well or captured for Youtube!

EDIT: Pretty sure if its the same format that Andrew/Christina will perform and not Meat, but interesting bit of writing there.

Yeah, definitely an interesting bit of writing. I was poking fun at the author while my wife and I had our morning coffee. Meat was just saying on Facebook yesterday that his career will end with Acting, so I knew there was pretty much no way he would be performing. I am glad he is setting healthy boundaries for himself. Plus, Andrew and Christina are wonderful performers, and I really enjoy the entire young cast performing Meat and Jim's work.

[anotherday]

I'd still like one more Meat show to cap it all off, if/when hes healthy enough to do it...Ah, I can dream, can't I?

[stretch37]

I'd still like one more Meat show to cap it all off, if/when hes healthy enough to do it...Ah, I can dream, can't I?

Yes and i'll dream with you :-)

Here's hoping we'll see the day, like you said if/when he is healthy enough, and I'll add to want to do it without feeling an obligation

[anotherday]

http://www.thesocial.ca/News/Entertainment/What-you-can-expect-from-Meat-Loafs-Bat-Out-of-Hel

New Canadian Interview
All I can think of is HOLY SHIT - Meat looks GREAT. Rested, full of energy again.
GREAT to see him doing so well.

[AndrewG]

http://www.thesocial.ca/News/Entertainment/What-you-can-expect-from-Meat-Loafs-Bat-Out-of-Hel

New Canadian Interview
All I can think of is HOLY SHIT - Meat looks GREAT. Rested, full of energy again.
GREAT to see him doing so well.

Flash video: Fail
Region locking Flash video: Mega Fail.
-> thesocial.ca should be booted from the internet
:roll:

[Tina.K.]

Flash video: Fail
Region locking Flash video: Mega Fail.
-> thesocial.ca should be booted from the internet
:roll:

Anyone who can post it on youtube or something? Cannot watch it either because of 'region' problems.

[Roger]

I really like the musical. Perfect songs in right order. But if I could change a song than I would replace "who needs the young" by "the graveyard shift" (performed by Falco at the top of the Falco-tower) and add a part of "life is a lemon" to "all revved up/ wasted youth".

But I would never change anything, because it is Jims work and he is the only one who knows what is the best.

[ThatWriterGuy]

I really like the musical. Perfect songs in right order. But if I could change a song than I would replace "who needs the young" by "the graveyard shift" (performed by Falco at the top of the Falco-tower) and add a part of "life is a lemon" to "all revved up/ wasted youth".

But I would never change anything, because it is Jims work and he is the only one who knows what is the best.

Funny you should mention Lemon, as the 'Lemon Theme' was in that very spot at one point. Glad you enjoyed :cool:

[stretch37]

http://www.thesocial.ca/News/Entertainment/What-you-can-expect-from-Meat-Loafs-Bat-Out-of-Hel

New Canadian Interview
All I can think of is HOLY SHIT - Meat looks GREAT. Rested, full of energy again.
GREAT to see him doing so well.

Finally got to watch it. Yes, he's looking on the mend! Yay!

[Kev]

http://ow.ly/Q9oW30bKFvS - this is cool

[Vickip]

Finally got to watch it. Yes, he's looking on the mend! Yay!

:up: :up:

[roomster]

I see that others post tickets for sale in this thread, so I'll guess it's ok for me to market my tickets here too...

I have four (2x2) tickets for the Bat-musical that I sell for under face value.

I secured the tickets very early and scored good seats.

10th July:

STALLS-section
£160
(original price £175.95)

11th July:

DRESS-section
£200
(original price £221.55)

See more information here:
http://www.mlukfc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20312

:D

REDUCED PRICES!

10th July:

STALLS-section
£140
(original price £175.95)

11th July:

DRESS-section
£180
(original price £221.55)

[chairboys]

Not sure how to tread on ticket prices.
I've bought three tickets for under a ton.
Have I a bargain or do I need Brian May to provide us with a long lens?

[Monstro]

Not sure how to tread on ticket prices.
I've bought three tickets for under a ton.
Have I a bargain or do I need Brian May to provide us with a long lens?

And oxygen lol

[chairboys]

And oxygen lol

If only it was at the O2..

[nightinr]

Just watched the promo on Britain's got Talent. Great performance from Andrew. Christina seems weak at all of these promo events...luckily she is better in the real thing.

The dancing quite frankly was a mess and isn't much better in the show. This needs sorting out.

[nightinr]

Strange choice not to do Bat. The judges seemed unimpressed either Simon or David said "I didn't think that was good".

Too many people on stage...should have concentrated on Andrew and Danielle who were the two stand out performers for me.

[AndrewG]

Strange choice not to do Bat. The judges seemed unimpressed either Simon or David said "I didn't think that was good".

Too many people on stage...should have concentrated on Andrew and Danielle who were the two stand out performers for me.

Just saw a clip of this someone posted on Vimeo.
I never watch this BGT crap. In fact I hardly watch broadcast TV as it is and refuse to sign up to ITV to watch a repeat. I commend them performing on there and if it gets people off their backsides and into the theatre instead to watch real talent then that's great and job done.

My personal thoughts are quite definitive now however:
Always bloody Dead Ringer! Indeed I think Bat is much better but understand they are trying to appease to the big hits and respective audience memories from the past.
To me it didn't do much at all emotion wise. It is not what I want from the music somehow.
I will leave my own Bat memories with Meat, in the past, with Manchester 2013 as a beautiful closer.
My mind's made up. Just think no one ever did or will ever do it better.

Good luck to them and hopefully the show lasts beyond the touring dates. It is great that so many people will be able to see it around the world in a short space of time. Quite unique I reckon.

[eltmatt]

I got slated for saying it before but I think the dancing is way way over the top and too much of it for what is needed. The songs and lyrical content speak and emote for themselves without 20 people doing the mashed potato behind the singers (yes that actually happens in one song)

[CarylB]

The only thing I'd add to Andrew's post is this. I agree absolutely that no-one will do it better than Meat did. But given he will not be keeping the Bat flying in live performances now, the door is open to do it differently, bring the composer's vision to life on stage, and introduce a new generation into performing the songs and discovering them.

To me the songs will always be as delivered with such unique passion by Meat, and I will hold those memories close. That has been my gift. But the sheer exuberance of the musical cast, the huge staging and over-the-top effects .. that is a new gift for others as well as for many of those who simply love the music, the songs.

I'd also add that given Meat always has been so integral to them, that his performance of them was so singular, it is a tribute to the musical and to this young cast that they ARE delighting so many Meat fans :-)

[nightinr]

I got slated for saying it before but I think the dancing is way way over the top and too much of it for what is needed. The songs and lyrical content speak and emote for themselves without 20 people doing the mashed potato behind the singers (yes that actually happens in one song)

The dance routines look like a glorified high school performance.....clearly the musical needs a new dance director.

[chairboys]

My take on the Meat endorsed Jim Steinman musical "Bat Out Of Hell".
I haven't seen it yet but by heck am I looking forward to it.
The music will be brilliant.
The theatre will be awesome.
The singers will be talented.
The dancers will dance to Jim's imagination!
My boys will love it.
I will be happy with their happiness.
I will have a couple of sherbets.
If I'm wrong I'll post!
I didn't pick the Derby winner.

[madonna123968848]

I am going to the opening night tomorrow, just wondering, can someone tell me how long the play is please? Thanks!

[Ixion]

I saw this last night at the Coliseum in London and as someone who has grown up on these songs since I was a small kid I thought it was incredible. I had the biggest smile on my face by the end of the show.

I avoided all spoilers from the Manchester show so everything was new to me and I had no preconceived thoughts or ideas what to expect. The staging/set was incredible, I don't go to the theater often but I haven't seen anything like it before.

I loved almost every performance and thought the cast was great. I want to try and pick out a highlight but then I think of half a dozen other amazing moments and it feels unfair. I will say though as someone who really loves 2 out of 3 Ain't Bad I was really moved by that number and felt they did it justice. The entire theater clapping along to Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth was a lot of fun too. Also Falco/Sloane probably stole the show (I had never really given much time to What Part of my Body Hurts the Most but wow).

The only weak part of the show would be the Tink sub-story and to be honest I forgot the background dancers were even there most of the time. Wish there had been more of Everything Louder and I was amazed Lost Boys and Golden Girls didn't feature but they're just personal preference.

Great great great show that I'll go back and see again.

[tonyloaf]

So last night in London for the world premiere , As someone who had really big mixed feelings about seeing this , I have to say its outstanding! Pure energy and a masterclass in production.
Yes this is music of Meat Loaf but you really must go with it and enjoy the show for the storey and not compare it to anything Meat has done.
I think this show is one of the highest standards in the musical business and really think it will be here for years to come.
Well done to the amazing cast and crew.
Go see it and enjoy!

Great to see friends from here , always brings the best nights

[greg]

I have read that meat will not be going to see the run in London. Is such a shame

[Monstro]

Ok, it's been 24hrs so time to put my thoughts down on what I was fortunate to witness last night at the London opening of Bat Out Of Hell the musical (nicely timed to open on my birthday).

First off the staging, lighting and sound, could try to explain for hours about how this show was staged but you need to see it, without doubt the best I've seen. The use of live filming/projection I've never seen like that before, inspired. Loved how the main part of the stage changed constantly.

Choreography, in parts reminded me of Rocky Horror (not a bad thing at all) but I thought that in a couple of places there was just a bit too much and as good as the Paradise performance was I just didn't like the dancers, thought they weren't needed. Saying that though cut to Deadringer and oh my god it was brilliant, just brilliant.
Now those who know me know I'm just a tad of a Meat fan so have heard him perform most of these songs on a couple of occasions, coupled with some clips I'd heard/seen I'll admit I was somewhat apprehensive.......................I was wrong to be. The changes to some of the songs to duets was amazing, put a new perspective to them. You've got to allow the Meat songs to move on, you're not being unfaithful to Meat by enjoying this show and a different take on the material, just let this show carry you away, go for the ride, you won't regret it. I do have some concerns over the cast recording, I wish it had been a live show recording as opposed to in the studio, Raven (Christina Bennington) sounded much better live than she did on the radio when they played a track off the album, maybe being in character live allowed a better projection of the emotion I don't know.

Highs.... What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most was stunning, Deadringer as well. Making Love Outta Nothing At All.........I've listened to this song a thousand times but last night was the first time I ever really heard it, blew me away, just awesome. 2 outta 3, incredible and you had to be there for Took The Words with the audience clapping. BOOH reprise at the end was goosebump time, every single person in the audience on their feet clapping.......the stuff memories are made of.

Strat (Andrew Polec), Raven (Christina Bennington), Falco (Rob Fowler) and Sloane (Sharon Sexton) were brilliant and I love how they were all allowed to shine, there's kinda so many leads in this show. Onto Zahara (Danielle Steers) and Jagwire (Dom Hartley-Harris), an awesome pairing, voices were brilliant and really suited each other. I'll be honest that Danielle blew me away, absolutely incredible voice with stage presence and acting to match.

Got to mention Falco's nod to Meat with the red hanky, nice touch.

There's loads more to the show but I'm trying to avoid spoilers, just see it....................then see it again.

[Danny L]

Making Love Out Of Nothing At All has been reinstated? That was chopped early in Manchester preview

[chairboys]

Too many positive reviews!
I'm hibernating until after my trip next week for fear of reaching levels of unattainable expectations.

[PanicLord]

Making Love Out Of Nothing At All has been reinstated? That was chopped early in Manchester preview

That excited me too :) hope it's on the cast album

[nozza]

Saw the show last night & loved every minute.

[Monstro]

http://media.mlxxfc.net/Bat 1a.jpg

http://media.mlxxfc.net/bat 2.jpg

[anotherday]

http://media.mlxxfc.net/Bat 1a.jpg

http://media.mlxxfc.net/bat 2.jpg

Oh WOW! :shock:

[Cherry.Loaf]

So excited to see this tomorrow!

[Ixion]

The set is incredible really, pictures don't do it justice. They've been very clever with it and how everything is staged.

[Gez]

Wondering what the vip seats include at that cost, maybe a part in the musical :shock::??:

[Danny L]

The stage looks bigger than the opera house?

[Adje]

The stage looks bigger than the opera house?
Stop watching Dr Who.. :shock:

[PanicLord]

Stop watching Dr Who.. :shock:

Lol but I think he means the Manchester opera house and I agree because the set seemed to go right off the end of the stage there!!

[AndrewG]

Regarding the second pic. If I saw that photo out of context I'd be guessing it was a musical about TRON.

[Danny L]

Stop watching Dr Who.. :shock:

i will never stop watching DOCTOR WHO!! ;)

Yeah the Coliseum stage looks bigger than the one in Mancs.

[eltmatt]

I saw the show Friday, lots of changes since Manchester and all of them have improved it even further. The show is awesome, lots of standing ovations.

[PanicLord]

i will never stop watching DOCTOR WHO!! ;)

Yeah the Coliseum stage looks bigger than the one in Mancs.

I've just about managed to bear with it through Capaldi. Looking forward to a big shake up when the new team starts.

Exciting to hear all the hard work on the musical is paying off. Hope they covered off all my feedback points 😂😂😂

That's a joke. Don't hate me. I loved it.

[Ixion]

I went to see this for the second time last night and I still love it, the crowd wasn't quite as lively as the opening night performance but they gave a great standing ovation at the end. It was also a show with Ben Purkiss as Strat who was very good.

Once again Two Out of Three blew me away, and everything with Sloane and Falco is gold.

I work so close to the venue it's really easy for me to go after work if there are any tickets left, it's going to end up costing me a fortune by the end of it's run :lol:

[AndyK]

Yeah the Coliseum stage looks bigger than the one in Mancs.

That's because it is bigger (think it's one of, of not the biggest theatre stage in London). Much more of the set is visible in London and there are less restricted viewing seats in the auditorium.

[nightinr]

How long are the current cast contracted to the show?

[eltmatt]

I believe most are contracted until late 2018.

[nightinr]

Thanks Matt....wow suprised how long...must be quite quite draining doing the same show every night.

Thanks for the info

[Danny L]

Wasn't it just over a year's contract?

http://media.mlxxfc.net/FB_IMG_1465881625643.jpg

(OH how things have moved on since this!!)

[AndrewG]

Thanks Matt....wow suprised how long...must be quite quite draining doing the same show every night.

Thanks for the info

From what I understand many west end shows have their cast swapped in and out for the main parts at least every two years or so.

It would be a shame if Bat doesn't live beyond a year. Not sure there is enough enthusiasm to keep it as a permanent feature on the west end, but I hope there is and that after touring it comes back to stay. Perhaps they are working out if that is possible right now.

[eltmatt]

I would argue that its absolutely viable for it to become permanent on the west end considering most performances are very close to being sold out.

They would need a West end cast yes. Also the cast don't perform every night of the week and the understudies do a couple of shows a week but yes still draining.

[nightinr]

My worry is in a year or so Bat might become one of those low budget touring musicals that spends a week in each city before moving on. It would be a shame if it can't make it work in the West End.

[proctorloaf]

You worry too much.

[AndrewG]

My worry is in a year or so Bat might become one of those low budget touring musicals that spends a week in each city before moving on. It would be a shame if it can't make it work in the West End.

Sometimes there is no difference between a west end one vs touring one. The touring version of Wicked was exact same quality as West End version. Same quality singers and exact same staging and lighting and orchestra size.

[AndyK]

With the scale of the staging of Bat I can't see it being a production that tours to different venues every week, it's not the sort of production you can move into a theatre in a day. It needs the long runs in a venue to warrant the investment in time to set up.

[CarylB]

UK FANS: Jacqueline Dillon has a few pairs of FREE seats left for the musical
this coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. To take up this great offer contact her on FB or message me ASAP. Also tell any friends you know who might enjoy a spectacular night out and can make it

[chairboys]

We exited Charing Cross tube just in time to be Prezzo's first lunchtime customers on Saturday. A relaxing meal was further enhanced when the bill arrived. My two ciders were a complimentary Fathers Day treat from the restaurant!
A leisurely stroll round Trafalgar Square and bit of culture in the Portrait Gallery before wandering up to the home of the English National Opera. What class.
Now, they do know how to charge for a tipple.
We took our seats. Upper circle back row three on the end. It was a hot day and rather warm in the theatre.
The show.
I found myself strangely more edge in a kind of loyal and protective will for it to be a success.
The performance was very good bordering excellent. Don't take that as harsh.
Some moments were truly standout.
I even fell in love with IACBTMN again!
But the one thing I will take from the musical is that I now understand what Bat out of Hell is all about.The songs fit the story or the story fits the songs but, whatever, seeing it live the words make sense and the picture Jim paints is crystal clear. Maybe the visit to the Portrait Gallery was a sign.
Would I go again? Yes (but probably won't).
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Highlight? Finding a hidden loo at half-time that was empty.
All in all a fabulous day out

[roomster]

REDUCED PRICES!

10th July:

STALLS-section
£140
(original price £175.95)

11th July:

DRESS-section
£180
(original price £221.55)

REDUCED PRICES (AGAIN!)!

10th July:

STALLS-section
£120
(original price £175.95)

11th July:

DRESS-section
£160
(original price £221.55)

Very good seats that I scored early.

I cover the shipment expenses from Norway.

Interested? Send me a PM.

[chairboys]

I think its similar to what i said after listening to and putting the story to the songs of Braver Than We Are - You could take that plot and insert pretty much any other song and it would fit somewhere to expand the story - like you can interweave the three parts of Paradise through Going All The Way, Loving You and Souvenirs, you can add It just Won't quit after Only When I Feel and on and on. The characters of the musical are the next advancement of that - the ultimate one probably. It goes all the way back to the quote Meat said on loads of interviews in the 90s. "Every song Jim writes goes into Neverland." The versions of those characters are now in the musical and they are the characters that everything Jim's done has be written for in some way. I have no doubt that if you had ten hours to work with you could make every one of the songs fit without needing to change much at all. No wonder there were so many in and outs with the song list.

The show reminded me of this post.

[Ixion]

Lot's of good reviews coming out from last night's premier. The only negative one is of course from the Daily Fail, obviously.

[nightinr]

Shame it didn't get any 5 star reviews from the mainstream media.

Although the Mail review is slightly harsh it is spot on with the poor dancing routines and acting. A number of us have commented on this. If the musical is going to be a success long term this must improve.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4623698/QUENTIN-LETTS-review-Bat-Hell-Musical.html#comments-4623698

[nightinr]

BostonAngel I am trying to help with constructive criticism. Not sure this warrants a "dislike"?!

[BostonAngel]

If I wanted to post giving an explanation I would have. No need to PERSONALLY call me out on it

[Sebastian.]

Really needs to be a rule against linking to the Daily Mail. It is an utter disgrace.

[nightinr]

Apologies for any offence BostonAngel..

I know some people have strong views on The Mail and The Sun but we have to recognize these are Britains two most popular papers. So to ignore them would be a bit silly.

[letsgotoofar]

Not to accentuate the negative at the expense of any positives, but never mind the Sun and the Mail -- all of the raves had something pants to say about it, and most can be summed up as "Great cast; shame about the writing, though."

Don't believe me? This was from a review that gave the show four out of five stars, FFS:

"Bat Out of Hell? Bat sh*t crazy more like. Jim Steinman's jukebox rock musical is like nothing you're going to see anywhere else right now. [...] Be warned: the songs have barely any connection to the narrative and this is not so much a musical as an exceptionally expensive way of getting them live, onstage and pumped full of OTT drama. [.,.] It's a show which rises or falls through having two leads who can convince us this isn't all just completely awful [...] the tunes may not work within the whole [...] The tiny bits of script - also written by Steinman - are fairly weak, falling back too often on the overblown cheese that many of the songs also do. [...] Really there are only a handful of tracks which stand out [...] It's a pity that Emma Portner's ensemble choreography feels clumsily placed most of the time. [...] this isn't a great musical theatre masterwork." -- Daisy Bowie-Sell, WhatsOnStage

And that's from a bloody positive review. Here y'are, got another, this was also four out of five:

"It's the end of civilisation as we know it! A jukebox musical based on the back-catalogue of that famously chunky (recently slimmed-down) American rock legend Meat Loaf -- actually penned by his gifted on-off song-writer partner Jim Steinman -- has taken up summer residence at the palatial home of ENO. The pair (reconciled these days after much-publicised rifts) dubbed their full-throttle, high-decibel, knowingly OTT and melodramatic music 'Wagnerian rock'. Opera-lovers might well be forgiven, however, for fearing the venue's coffers are being filled at the expense of its artistic reputation. [...] Running to an overlong three hours, and cramming in greatest hits (and not so-great hits), Bat Out of Hell won't win awards for reinventing the musical. Set in a dystopian future of generic oppression and mutinous youth it recalls We Will Rock You, but the book is even weaker than that long-running Queen cash-in [...] evident weaknesses, which extend in Jay Scheib's pumped-up, pyrotechnics-loaded, Max Mad-fashioned production to some iffy video-work [...]" -- Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph

"Sometimes it's as if Bruce Springsteen is performing Wagner, sometimes it's as if a posse of unemployed Wagnerians are attempting a hyperextended version of Born to Run, and sometimes it's frankly much stranger than that. [...] The plot is likely to mystify anyone who's not an ardent devotee of both Meat Loaf and J M Barrie [...] The script may be thin [...] It's hard to imagine that many of English National Opera's regular clientele will appreciate this three-hour show's lurid silliness or its potential to turn into a singalong. [...] the less said about the ungainly choreography the better [...] light years away from Monteverdi [...]" -- Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard

"As the setting is a dystopian city ruled by a dictator – broken TV sets fizz under a graffitied lattice of charred concrete – the show also brings to mind We Will Rock You, the Queen musical that, along with Mamma Mia!, probably made a Meat Loaf equivalent inevitable [...] Loudness is sometimes overdone in Jay Scheib's production, resulting in some of the perky wordplay of Steinman's lyrics being lost; perhaps ENO's surtitle machine should be commandeered. With the jokes in the songs often overpowered, the biggest laugh comes when a Buick seems to crash into the orchestra pit. The choreography rarely gets beyond synchronised limb-swinging." -- Mark Lawson, The Guardian

"The choreography, by Emma Portner [...] at times, misfires. There are a few writhing moments that simply don't work and, at two hours and 45 minutes, including interval, it could use a trim." -- Ann Treneman, The Times

And from the three-star pack:

"...it's not exactly 'Hamlet' in the plot department. If you are interested, then Steinman's book is basically a sort of half-arsed stab at dystopia that follows privileged, gothy teen Raven (a spirited Christina Bennington) in her stupendously inept attempts to exit the building owned by her father Falco (Rob Fowler, camp) in order to hook up with crazy-eyed love interest Strat (Andrew Polec, genuinely excellent), who hangs out in the street outside and is apparently immortal. (Presumably he signifies the timeless power of rock ’n’ roll, though on the whole the fact that he has apparently ceased to age since 18 feels weirdly underexplored.) [...] Obviously everybody sings a lot of Meat Loaf tunes. [...] At worst they kind of sound like your local Dungeons & Dragons club trying to write a Bruce Springsteen song: certainly if you only know the big singles there’ll be bits you find trying and there are moments that teeter perilously close to objectifying women [...] As a spectacle, 'Bat out of Hell' is batshit crazy [...] 'Bat Out of Hell' isn't exactly going to be bothering 'Hamilton' at the Oliviers next year [...]" -- Andrzej Lukowski, Time Out

Taken altogether, it sounds like, even if the sales are good, they need to sack the choreographer, cut the bloody thing down, and work on the script before it hits America.

[AndrewG]

The "story" is certainly one of the main reasons I haven't seen it. I didn't like the story in Whistle Down the Wind either (I know it's from an old movie). The dancing is insane from what I've seen. I can't think of a musical I really like that has excess dancing during key songs. In fact most musicals I really like probably only have about 1-3 songs with dancing and usually that is for a good reason. Masquerade from Pantom / Les Mis Wedding / Wicked ball intro / Red light area scenes from Miss Saigon. / Buenos Aires & party scenes from Evita Etc...

I did like Fame but then the dancing again makes sense. It's not on my favourite list.

This musical is perhaps more targeted towards the Queen We Will Rock You / Mama Mia type of rock/pop dance audience who like Bat too. Or perhaps I'm just old fashioned. There certainly has been a tendency in the last 10-15 years on TV and on stage to show tonnes of people in group formation dancing. Michael Jackson probably started a lot of that stuff but then he was Michael Jackson...

Dancing in group formation to Bat out of Hell on a stage musical? Well, I never expected that at all. Nor did I want that. I'm guessing as musical creators they think more is better, more people on stage doing stuff giving off energy. I just have to think back to the first time I watched Les Mis where in Act II most songs have just one or at most 3 characters on stage. It felt like every song was the finale. I was amazed at the performances, I was stunned by the songs. When someone says they will do a Bat musical, it is that what I expect I guess. Sure the last 2 minutes the whole gang joins in in Les Mis but perhaps that could have been done exactly with Bat at the very end. Reprise: everyone has those feelings/sentiment. It just makes more sense to me an approach like that and the focus on the song/character is not lost with bizarre choreographed distractions.

I'm not saying the musical should have been inspired by Meat, the writer and musical staff can do as they wish and I'm truly glad people are enjoying it tremendously but it's obvious the dancing malarky comes heavily from Steinman's sort of quite bizarre (in my mind) 80s videos rather than Meat Loaf's career. Watching Jim playback to Rock n Roll dreams whilst some athlete is dancing with a guitar is embarrassing to watch now.
Jim's music is amazing, I will always love it. I just visualise something totally different than he does when I listen to it I think. Meat's interpretation comes closest to that. Michael Bay got things quite right too to be fair. No dancing in the Bat 2 videos thank goodness.

I wonder if Steinman envisaged the Batman musical to also include dancing, I'm guessing so.

[letsgotoofar]

Well, you can't really have a musical without choreography; I think what they're saying is that the specific choreography on display isn't up to snuff, and quite frankly, a lot of people have been saying that from the beginning, so I'm inclined to believe it.

[Sebastian.]

Apologies for any offence BostonAngel..

I know some people have strong views on The Mail and The Sun but we have to recognize these are Britains two most popular papers. So to ignore them would be a bit silly.

Ignoring them is what should be done. Utter utter shit rags. But them again most of the UK population is why I am jumping ship.

[Ixion]

The choreography is average (and I said so in my initial post immediately after seeing it) but it doesn't detract at all from the show, it's all about the songs and leads. Outside of Dead Ringer (maybe Out of the Frying Pan & Hot Summer Night too) I'm not sure how many of the songs even lend themselves to big dance numbers anyway. Scoring it 2/5 because of the dancing is absurd. It would deserve a three on the Two Out of Three Ain't Bad scene alone!

[PanicLord]

The choreography is average (and I said so in my initial post immediately after seeing it) but it doesn't detract at all from the show, it's all about the songs and leads. Outside of Dead Ringer (maybe Out of the Frying Pan & Hot Summer Night too) I'm not sure how many of the songs even lend themselves to big dance numbers anyway. Scoring it 2/5 because of the dancing is absurd. It would deserve a three on the Two Out of Three Ain't Bad scene alone!

I agree. The music and performances are so stunning that the dancing is largely immaterial apart from in a couple of key scenes, where it steps up and delivers.

[eltmatt]

I think the dancing is that over the top with that many dancers on stage I do think it detracts and distracts from key parts where it isnt needed.

[chairboys]

Maybe the venue is more accustomed to pirates of penzance and maybe Steinman won't replace Billy Shakespeare in schools and maybe the Bolshoi won't send scouts over.
But what this show does do is give punters a thoroughly enjoyable night out. Sometimes you just want to settle into a seat, switch off from the stresses of life for a few hours and be entertained. And this musical does that.
Maybe.

[chairboys]

I think the dancing is that over the top with that many dancers on stage I do think it detracts and distracts from key parts where it isnt needed.

I can honestly say that I wasn't "distracted" by the dancing.
Only on one occasion did I allow myself to seek out the dancers to see what they were doing other than follow the singers of a particular scene.
On that particular occasion the choreography was weird at best!
But I smiled.

[tonyloaf]

so I was at the press night, it was my second show, and I have to say it was a lot better than the first for the production and extra sound effects added to the amazing set. ( not that there was anything wrong with the first night)
I really do like the vocals of Rob and Sharron , pure emotion.
The one thing I did notice was all of the lead singers seemed to be struggling with the power vocals , Im thinking maybe their voices maybe bit tied? don't get me wrong they put on a great show, but we all know Meats songs are way above the average song :)
Great work from all

[eltmatt]

Yes Andrew is struggling with those end C's in Bat on the West End Live videos.

[loaferman61]

Yes Andrew is struggling with those end C's in Bat on the West End Live videos.

I really get a better appreciation for how much Meat had to do show after show handling all the lead vocals (except a duet or two) over so many years. I have never thought anyone else could have done what he did.

[Danny L]

Yes Andrew is struggling with those end C's in Bat on the West End Live videos.

Hmmm they are big songs. Remember Andrew has to do 6 shows a week for several months.

Hope it doesn't strain him too much

[nightinr]

They need to use Ben Purkiss more to save Andrew from being burnt out. His voice is clearly struggling.

Remember Meat often said he struggled to do 3 or 4 shows a week (granted Meat was going solo for 3 hours plus).

[loaferman61]

Meat barely survived the original Bat tour. I would think performing even a couple of the shows Meat did in the 90's when he was nearly 50 years old would be taxing on any singer of any age. So I hope they do have a way to give Andrew a rest. I will probably never get to attend a show but everything I have heard sounds good. It would be a shame for him to blow out his voice at an early age.

Looking back with the benefit of hindsight Meat should have done more to preserve his voice but the demands and environment was much different back then. Had Meat not been around for so long there probably wouldn't be a musical.

[Cherry.Loaf]

I don't think I've written a review yet?

We saw Ben as Strat and he was phenomenal! I was worried with all the hype about Andrew but he absolutely blew me away!

The vocals from Sharon and Rob was just perfection

[eltmatt]

I've seen both Andrew and Ben, Ben was great but Andrew is a star and has an intensity/look perfect for the role.

[CarylB]

Yes Andrew is struggling with those end C's in Bat on the West End Live videos.

I noticed that on an official video I saw the other day .. and remembered all the Meat shows I attended on the last few tours, and how often he made those notes, and as loaferman says, carried the lead for every song in a two hours plus continuous show even though he would still be faced with comments about his vocals! ....

I've always understood how physically exhausting the shows were for Meat .. a 2-3 hour hard physical work-out. It was only when I met him immediately after a show I truly realised just how hard a workout those songs are on the vocal chords; blindingly obvious in hindsight, but it had not struck me so forcefully before. To do this night after night, even when young, must be terribly taxing, almost frighteningly so.

Andrew was making those high Cs fairly consistently (even if for me without the richness, the timbre of Meat's vocals), and I agree the schedule is the issue. Against that is that he does bring that intensity which the songs need, but it's something they do need to address. He is a very, very talented performer, and whilst for me the songs will always be twinned in my heart with Meat, he brings something very special to the musical which makes it what it is imo. I'd hate to see the show burn his voice out.

[nightinr]

Any news on if Jim and Meat are planning to watch the musical in London?

[letsgotoofar]

Over the years, Meat's musical directors (pretty sure it wasn't Meat himself, since he was still insisting it was three high C's at the end of "Bat" every night right till the end of his touring career even though it hadn't been in that key since 1978 and he'd been doing four high notes rather than three) learned to lower keys to accommodate where his voice was at. Perhaps the musical director or arranger should be considering alternate keys, at least for Toronto if not for later in the run, in order to preserve the cast's voices. As many of these songs have been performed live by Meat, there are even -- in some cases -- a fairly broad selection of lower keys to consult (there are at least two in the cases of "Paradise" and "Anything for Love," for example).

[loaferman61]

Over the years, Meat's musical directors (pretty sure it wasn't Meat himself, since he was still insisting it was three high C's at the end of "Bat" every night right till the end of his touring career even though it hadn't been in that key since 1978 and he'd been doing four high notes rather than three) learned to lower keys to accommodate where his voice was at. Perhaps the musical director or arranger should be considering alternate keys, at least for Toronto if not for later in the run, in order to preserve the cast's voices. As many of these songs have been performed live by Meat, there are even -- in some cases -- a fairly broad selection of lower keys to consult (there are at least two in the cases of "Paradise" and "Anything for Love," for example).

Very good post. Meat over-worked himself vocally and physically. I hope the younger performers and producers learn something from it. To me Andrew is very good, IMO he is no Meat Loaf- but still excellent at what he does (which is a somewhat different thing)

[CarylB]

Any news on if Jim and Meat are planning to watch the musical in London?

I think that would be a No. I'm pretty sure Meat said he hopes to see it in Toronto (if he were able to get to London I think he would have done so on Press night to boost promo). Personally I doubt Jim would make it before Broadway, which I'm sure he's hoping for next year.

[nightinr]

I think that would be a No. I'm pretty sure Meat said he hopes to see it in Toronto (if he were able to get to London I think he would have done so on Press night to boost promo). Personally I doubt Jim would make it before Broadway, which I'm sure he's hoping for next year.

Thanks for the reply Caryl. It must be so frustrating for Jim and Meat not to have seen it in the flesh. Hope both are in good health and get to see the show soon.

[Evil One]

Thanks for the reply Caryl. It must be so frustrating for Jim and Meat not to have seen it in the flesh. Hope both are in good health and get to see the show soon.
If Jim was in good health he would have already seen the show. :shrug:

[ThatWriterGuy]

If Jim was in good health he would have already seen the show. :shrug:

Jim has seen the show dozens of times already.

[Danny L]

Jim has seen the show dozens of times already.

Via Skype?

[roomster]

I see that some of you don't like posts about tickets for sale, but I am really struggling to get rid of my tickets...

I have reduced the price for my 4 tickets again (for the third time!) a couple of days ago, and the prices are now very close to half price... Very good seats!

See my tickets for sale thread (http://www.mlukfc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20312#8) in the MLUKFC Shopping Mall.

I have been in contact with Ticketmaster and it is possible to pick up the tickets at the venue box office.

I would very much appreciate all of your tips on other places and ways to sell my tickets... :D ;)

[PanicLord]

Haven't seen this posted here... WPOMBHTM was on Elaine Paige's show on Radio 2 today! Starts at 30:50 below...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08wd3bm#play

[roomster]

Haven't seen this posted here... WPOMBHTM was on Elaine Paige's show on Radio 2 today! Starts at 30:50 below...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08wd3bm#play

Or here :D

https://soundcloud.com/david-akerman-2/what-part-of-my-body-hurts-the-most

[PanicLord]

Or here :D

https://soundcloud.com/david-akerman-2/what-part-of-my-body-hurts-the-most

yeah that's better lol 😂

[Mr. Happy]

It's a little surreal to finally hear a studio recording of Body after all these years. That was incredible.

[Dick]

Its really is great to hear, but the only thing I'm wondering is....

Wheres Meat's version...? ;):lol:

[AndrewG]

Its really is great to hear, but the only thing I'm wondering is....

Wheres Meat's version...? ;):lol:
THAT song, Rob Cavello's production with Meat 2010 vocals would have been epic.

In hindsight for me it's a shame Teddy Bear didn't feature several Steinman tracks we didn't get before since I think it features some of Meat's best album production and vocals. Body, Graveyard Shift, Dance in my pants along with Date with Destiny & PFL would have made for an incredible alternative Teddy Bear tracklist for starters I think. Really didn't like the Teddy Bear songs much and with Steinman songs such as Body on it, the "IV" cover joke would have made more sense too. ;)

[duke knooby]

i'm not feeling this song yet, musically or lyrically.

[Monstro]

i'm not feeling this song yet, musically or lyrically.

It's really lacking the emotion you get from it when they sing it on stage, I'm slightly concerned that what is an excellent show live won't come through in the studio production.

Do love the song though, been going round in my head since I first saw the show, can't help but mirror Andrews thoughts that a Rob Cavello production with Meat circa 2010 would've been mind blowing.

[stretch37]

i'm not feeling this song yet, musically or lyrically.

Me neither. It's missing Meat. I really do think Meat still has the voice. He just needs his body to repair if possible.

It's really lacking the emotion you get from it when they sing it on stage, I'm slightly concerned that what is an excellent show live won't come through in the studio production.

Do love the song though, been going round in my head since I first saw the show, can't help but mirror Andrews thoughts that a Rob Cavello production with Meat circa 2010 would've been mind blowing.

100%

[nightinr]

Really disappointed with that recording. As some have said it is a stand out performance in the show, but that doesn't come through on the track.

We sometimes take Meat for granted, but he would have killed that song (killed in a good way!)

[proctorloaf]

This is a live soundboard recording of the show, it isn't the album version. Just wait...

[Monstro]

This is a live soundboard recording of the show, it isn't the album version. Just wait...

I know it's just a promo mix and not the album version but how do you know that's from the soundboard, it's got vocal booth/studio written all over it.

[Mr Flibble]

The Steinman Wiki lists the songs but not who sings what.

I have seen the show but I don't remember all of it.

Is there a list online that has all the tracks and who sings what.

When is the album out?

[evil nickname]

The Steinman Wiki lists the songs but not who sings what.


Love and Death and an American Guitar (Strat)
All Revved Up With No Place To Go (Strat / The Lost / Falco)
Who Needs the Young (Falco / Sloane)
Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire) (Strat / Ledoux / Blake / The Lost)
It Just Won’t Quit (Strat / Raven)
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad (Zahara / Jagwire)
Paradise by the Dashboard Light (Falco / Sloane)
Bat Out of Hell (Strat / Raven)

In The Land Of The Pig, The Butcher Is King (Falco)
Heaven Can Wait (Raven)
Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (Jagwire / Ledoux / Blake)
For Crying Out Loud (Strat / Raven)
You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) (The Lost)
Not Allowed to Love (Tink)
What Part of My Body Hurts the Most (Falco / Sloane)
Dead Ringer for Love (Jagwire / Zahara / The Lost)
Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through (The Lost)
It’s All Coming Back To Me Now (Strat / Raven / Falco / Sloane)
I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) (Strat / Raven / Falco / Sloane / Jagwire / Zahara)

[samurai7]

Also Making Love Out Of Nothing at All - Strat & Raven

[letsgotoofar]

Which, for context, comes before "Bat" in the spoiler-ific list above.

[mikey]

Long time lurker, occasional poster.

First of all, bloody love the cast version of What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most - it’s never going to have the power it does on stage, but it’s by far the best arrangement we’ve had so far. Those horns! Those triplets!

Secondly, anyone else going to this?

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/194781

Bat musical cast doing a charity late-night cabaret show...I’m all kinds of down the front.

[Mr. Happy]

I've had Body on repeat ever since it was first linked in this thread. That moment when the guitars come in with the big power chords in the third chorus is so damn good, not to the mention the harmonies, the horns, the whole thing. Definitely worth the decade-long wait. The cast album can't get here soon enough.

My one minor quibble is that it feels like it's missing some BVs. Those echoed "For Crying Out Loud" lines are super distracting in the choruses (and that one random one at the end) and would sound much more natural if they were covered by BVs. Give the song room to breath!

[Roger]

https://www.batoutofhellmusical.com/2018/

[eltmatt]

Hope they put It Just Won't Quit back in!

[PanicLord]

Congratulations to Andrew Polec who very deservedly won best debut at The Stage Debut Awards!

[K1ttycat]

The soundtrack is now available for preorders at https://www.wowhd.co.uk/bat-out-of-hell-the-musical-original-soundtrack/5056167100775

Amazon UK also have it listed now but no price yet. Can only register to be alerted when it is available at this point.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bat-Hell-Musical-Various-Artists/dp/B0758BQ1LH/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1506159735&sr=8-4&keywords=bat+out+of+hell+musical+cd

[PanicLord]

The soundtrack is now available for preorders at https://www.wowhd.co.uk/bat-out-of-hell-the-musical-original-soundtrack/5056167100775

Amazon UK also have it listed now but no price yet. Can only register to be alerted when it is available at this point.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bat-Hell-Musical-Various-Artists/dp/B0758BQ1LH/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1506159735&sr=8-4&keywords=bat+out+of+hell+musical+cd

Amazon appear to have a cover picture now. Could be a mock up, but if it is, it's quite a good one!

[R.]

http://media.mlxxfc.net/IMG_3513.JPG

[PanicLord]

http://media.mlxxfc.net/IMG_3513.JPG

Want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want

[Sebastian.]

The CD is incredible.

[PanicLord]

Ordered via Amazon - very very very very very over excited!!!

[loaferman61]

The CD is incredible.

Mine ships tomorrow. Can't wait. I wish a digital download was offered. Still not bad for $24.95 and a few days wait.

[byo1975]

set list? amazon on preorder...not avalaible...where do u bought it? amazon says 1cd not 2

[Mr. Happy]

Is the album available to download anywhere? It's not on iTunes, it's not on Spotify, and none of the Amazon listings offer anything but a hard copy (and even then they're either out of stock, don't ship to me, or have the wrong details). How do I listen to this, today, in Australia?

[anotherday]

Is the album available to download anywhere? It's not on iTunes, it's not on Spotify, and none of the Amazon listings offer anything but a hard copy (and even then they're either out of stock, don't ship to me, or have the wrong details). How do I listen to this, today, in Australia?

No digital versions exist legally, currently.

[loaferman61]

Is the album available to download anywhere? It's not on iTunes, it's not on Spotify, and none of the Amazon listings offer anything but a hard copy (and even then they're either out of stock, don't ship to me, or have the wrong details). How do I listen to this, today, in Australia?

You can't. Same here in the US which is frustrating. I was all interested in having it for weekend listening. It appears Amazon US never got any physical copies. So we wait.

[ChrisBelfast]

Still waiting my copy. If anyone discovers somewhere that allows you to buy and download it / stream please share. I’m checking Spotify and Apple Music all the time!

[byo1975]

Disc 1
1. Love and Death and an American Guitar
2. All Revved Up with No Place to Go / Wasted Youth
3. Who Needs the Young
4. It Just Won't Quit
5. Out of the Frying Pan And Into The Fire
6. Good Girls Go To Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)
7. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
8. Paradise by the Dashboard Light
9. Making Love Out of Nothing at All
10. Bat Out Of Hell

Disc 2
11. In The Land Of The Pig The Butcher Is King
12. Heaven Can Wait
13. Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
14. For Crying Out Loud
15. You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)
16. Not Allowed To Love
17. What Part of My Body Hurts the Most
18. Dead Ringer for Love
19. Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
20. It's All Coming Back to Me Now
21. I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

Produced by: Jim Steinman, Steven Rinkoff and Michael Reed

[PanicLord]

Truly an outstanding job has been done with the soundtrack. All the cast are in excellent voice and the production is superb. One challenge they face is that the original versions of almost all the songs are extraordinary masterpieces and therefore extremely difficult to improve upon. However every track is a very worthy version.

Some tracks actually blew me away. Heaven Can Wait has a stunning dramatic uplift for the final verse whiçh really changes it. I still prefer Meat's version for the emotion but this is an amazing alternative version.

I really love Body. Makes me want to sing along every time.

But by far the stand out track for me is Rock And Roll Dreams. Wow. This is my new favourite version of the song and, for me, transforms it from a nice rock song with a positive message to a stunningly powerful, dramatic, and emotional triumph.

Quibbles? Well some of the songs by necessity are shortened in the show to avoid it running for 3 days so for the first time in history some Steinman songs don't go on for long enough! Not Allowed To Love is nicely done but in my opinion still a bit disposable. And I"m still not a big fan of Land Of The Pigs. I'm not sure why exactly. It works well dramatically in the show but I find it harder to relate to than most of Jim's songs. Possible because its one of the few that are not about love or sex but essentially politics.

But these are all very minor quibbles on an outstanding album. Congratulations to all involved and may the show never stop rocking!

[Roger]

Some sources mentioned 3 new songs in the Show. I am wondering what the 3rd previously unreleased Song could be.


Could it be Who needs the young?

[Starry]

Hi

Could someone explain the partial nudity in the musical. Trying to decide if I can take my family

Thanks

[Nige78]

Hi

Could someone explain the partial nudity in the musical. Trying to decide if I can take my family

Thanks
The lead male was topless from time to time in the Manchester performance I went to but that was it - nothing I'd personally define as partial nudity.

[proctorloaf]

There is the potential for you to see some of the lead guy's ass if you're sitting in the wrong place - it's nothing too graphic - the themes are for teenagers up IMO. In paradise both singers strip to underwear etc...

[Michael Marxen]

Hi

Could someone explain the partial nudity in the musical. Trying to decide if I can take my family

Thanks

Serious?
If there would be nudity it would prevent you from taking someone?

Rest assured there is absolutely nothing worth discussing that kind of censorship in this musical.

[eltmatt]

Wish I'd seen the lead guys ass

[Danny L]

Some sources mentioned 3 new songs in the Show. I am wondering what the 3rd previously unreleased Song could be.


Could it be Who needs the young?

It was meant to be Speaking in Tongues but it was cut?

[letsgotoofar]

In at least one version of the show (circa 2008/09), "We're Still the Children We Once Were" was also one of the new songs that was destined to appear. (Still feel it'd fit the scene where "Objects" takes place very nicely, especially as "Objects" already appears - in large part - in another Jim musical [to much better effect, IMO], but I don't call the shots...)

[Roger]

Is there a North America tour in 2019?

Source:
https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/27/ordway-broadway-series-has-mamma-mia-bat-out-of-hell-elf/

[anotherday]

Is there a North America tour in 2019?

Source:
https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/27/ordway-broadway-series-has-mamma-mia-bat-out-of-hell-elf/

:O

[markyboy1985]

I am buzzing for musical next Saturday, was just wondering is the show the same during the day as it is at night? I am going to show during the day

[proctorloaf]

It is the same, other than there might be different cast members. Andrew tends to only do 6 shows a week (rather than all 8 )

[amethyst]

Saw it on 29th August and going again on 28th September .... amazing show, loving all the songs.

[chairboys]

Yesterday was my second visit to the musical taking in the matinee performance with mrs chairboys.
Everything was just about perfect from catching the fast train connections both ways to a pie and mash pub lunch.
The theatre was stylish and this time I had the main Strat actor.
The show was brought forward half an hour. I was unaware of the reason why until the moment I walked back through my front door and the cast were being introduced on stage at the hyde park proms bash. Not bad, two bat of hells in just over an hour!
I did notice a couple entering the circle approx 30 mins into the show. They obviously hadn't been made aware of the earlier times. Probably not best pleased.
Anyway, the gig was great although judging by mrs chairboys' somewhat bemused reaction it can't please everyone. I think she was bamboozled by the deep plot.
All in all we had a wonderful day up town together.