The perfect tribute to dearly departed music legends Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, award-winning musical Bat Out Of Hell continues to electrify audiences with its ‘wild child’ narrative and powerhouse ballads. Vicky Edwards recently caught up with leads Martha Kirby (Raven) and Glenn Adamson (Strat) to find out more...

If you didn’t already know that legendary 1970s album Bat Out Of Hell started life as a musical, it’s a fact that probably comes as no surprise - the songs are so theatrical and anthemic. 

Written by Jim Steinman in 1974 and titled Neverland, the show was a futuristic rock version of Peter Pan. But producers didn’t bite, so in 1977 the album was recorded instead, claiming an eight-year tenancy in the UK charts and turning Meat Loaf into a global superstar.  

And when Steinman’s original show (retitled, of course) finally hit the stage in 2017, it, too, proved a major hit - as evidenced by two sell-out West End seasons and a packed-to the-rafters run in Manchester. 

Now, in the wake of Steinman’s death last year and, more recently, that of Meat Loaf, it certainly feels like a fitting time for their theatrical legacy to be embarking on a national tour.

“The show has always paid tribute to both Meat and Jim’s work,” says Martha Kirby, who plays Raven in the new touring production. “It is now our place to continue sharing their legacy and greatness. 

“Meat was a true inspiration of mine,” adds Glenn Adamson, who plays the forever-young Strat. “I always hoped that when he was well enough to perform again, he would join us for a song or two. He was famous for never performing a song the same way twice. I hope we can carry that with us. He was my type of performer.”  

You don’t have to know anything about the album to appreciate the show - both Martha and Glenn are adamant on this count.

“It’s just a great night out; high octane, high energy and like a party,” says Glenn. “Yes, it’s nostalgia for people who grew up with the album, but it’s also a really great story that resonates with younger audiences.”

Martha nods her agreement. “The music was what initially drew me to the show. I’d never heard it, but I listened to it before I auditioned and just loved it. Singing and being engulfed by such incredible music every night is something I will never take for granted.”

Pure musical brilliance allied to a modern reworking of JM Barrie’s Edwardian classic has certainly proved to be a winning formula. As well as garnering plenty of critical acclaim, bagging BBC Radio Two’s Audience Award for Best Musical and receiving eight nominations in the What’s On Stage Awards, Bat Out Of Hell The Musical has wowed audiences in Canada, Germany and New York. 

As for the album of the same name, it remains one of the most successful of all time, selling more than 50 million copies worldwide. Furthermore, its sequel (Bat Out Of Hell ll: Back Into Hell) - which included the monster hit, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) - didn’t do too shabbily either.  

“Great music is timeless and ageless,” says Glenn. “Queen, Bon Jovi, Tina Turner - this album is in the same bracket as albums by these classic artists. New audiences are coming to older music all the time. And nobody wrote rock anthems that are essentially musical theatre numbers like Jim. I think this was his finest work, and I’m so glad he got to make the show before he died.”

“You can hear the theatricality of the songs,” says Martha. “You really feel the fact that they were written as musical numbers.”

Martha points out that while some younger people discover the music first and then come to the show, others do it the other way around: “We get a lot of younger people coming to the show and discovering Jim’s music for the first time. It’s labelled as being suitable from age 13 upwards, which I think is about right.” 

She smiles at the memory of her teenage brother experiencing the show for the first time: “He’s a typical teenage boy, and so when he said that he really liked it, I knew for certain that it had broad appeal. Everyone falls in love with this show.” 

As for the tour, the cast will have to think of it as a marathon rather than a sprint. The show is already booked until the end of October, with new dates still being added. 

“It’s so exciting to see all these places around the country and to visit all these wonderful theatres,” sighs Martha.

Glenn adds: “This will be our first visit to the Regent. We’ve heard great things about the theatre and its audiences, so we can’t wait to bring the show to Stoke.” 

The perfect post-pandemic pick-me-up, Bat Out Of Hell The Musical is a fitting tribute to the memory of two brilliant musicians. Grab your tickets asap. Paying your respects will be a total pleasure. 

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell The Musical shows at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Tues 26 to Sat 30 April