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.
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