Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical

Opera House, Manchester

Until April 8

WHEN I was 10-years-old and all the other girls were getting into Take That, I went to my very first concert.

There I was with my mum at the G-Mex in Manchester in 1993 for Meat Loaf’s Everything Louder tour.

I loved that gig and, almost 24 years later, I’m delighted to report I loved Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical.

I must admit, I wasn’t keen for the first 20 minutes or so. After a strong opening by fantastic leading man, newcomer Andrew Polec as Strat, it felt a little crazy and like an assault on the senses.

But the show really started for me as soon as Danielle Steers, who plays Zahara, started singing Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.

I’m struggling to think of ever having witnessed a stronger vocal performance on a theatre stage, simply incredible.

I enjoyed the role reversal of the female character taking the lead, singing the famous lyrics to infatuated Jagwire, played perfectly by Dom Hartley-Harris.

The boy meets girl story of rebellious youth and passionate love is set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city.

The show is everything a Meat Loaf song is – sexual, tense, in your face, dark and a little bit twisted.

Strat was half naked, pulling at his undies and gyrating on a rock less than 10 minutes into the show.

As Strat tries to get closer to Raven, played by Christina Bennington, her father Falco, played by Rob Fowler, is determined to keep them apart.

When he’s not being a lunatic, over-protective father, he’s providing comedy moments in his duets with wife Sloane, played by Sharon Sexton.

Their Paradise by the Dashboard Light sequence is pure genius.

Leading lady Christina is a fantastic rock chick and was a delight to interview after the show, revealing her boyfriend is from Bolton – fellow actor Michael Peavoy who is due to star in the Octagon Theatre’s production of ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall later this month.

But back to Bat Out of Hell and its stand-out star, Andrew.

Quite how this is his musical debut, I’m unsure. He was absolutely phenomenal, all wild eyes, crazy hair and angst.

He must be exhausted at the end of every show.

It came to a close with iconic hit, I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) before the audience leapt to its feet to give a much-deserved standing ovation.

Make like a bat out of hell and grab tickets before it’s too late.