As the late Jim Steinman’s musical adaption of Bat Out Of Hell, his 1977 album with the similarly late Meat Loaf, approaches Cardiff’s New Theatre, Rhiannon Farr explains just what makes it an OTT opera-pop classic whose popularity will outlive us all, never mind its creators…
Following a stellar run in London’s West End, Jim Steinman’s highly rated stage musical Bat Out Of Hell has embarked on a 2022 UK and Ireland tour, including Cardiff’s New Theatre this week. By no means the first time rock music has been adapted for the stage – take Rock Of Ages or We Will Rock You – this show is one of few adapted from a rock album in its entirety. One of the best-selling albums of all time, this collaboration between Marvin Lee ‘Meat Loaf’ Aday and Jim Steinman is a musical masterpiece that has withstood the test of time – and its stage adaptation has been met with equal adoration.
Interestingly, Steinman developed the album after having worked on a musical named Neverland, a futuristic rock show loosely based on the story of Peter Pan. This, in turn, inspired the story for the Bat Out Of Hell stage show, itself also a loose retelling of Peter Pan. Bat’s roots in musical theatre considerably influence the ease with which it was translated for the stage and provides an explanation as to why it seems like it’s not quite a concept album. Steinman had been striving to create a magnum opus since 1968, and his decades of hard work certainly paid off when his incredibly composed album opened as a stage show nearly 50 years later.
Many of the tracks on Bat were somewhat inspired by other iconic rock songs of the era, and these influences blend together to produce unforgettable tracks. The opening title track has a runtime of nearly 10 minutes, which immediately cements Steinman’s compositional talent and Meat Loaf’s vocal prowess. Another fan favourite, Paradise By The Dashboard Light, is nearly nine minutes long and consists of three main sections. These longer tracks are perfect for a musical – allowing for actors to showcase their talent on a large scale, provide the audience with a sense of excitement, and set out significant plot points throughout the show. A pre-stage show example of this is the iconic performance of Paradise… on the hit TV show Glee: it demonstrates how well these songs work in a theatrical setting, despite the Glee version being significantly shorter.
The powerful dynamic changes, classic rock vocal layering and multiple sections transform the songs of Bat Out Of Hell into individual masterpieces that all contribute to an overarching theme of love and desire within the album. Unlike other rock albums of the 1970s, Bat does not have a linear story, rather a central theme running throughout the tracks. This generic theme of love and desire allowed Steinman to curate the plot of the stage show without being tied down by an existing storyline, meaning he had full control over how his music would be used.
Jukebox musicals tend to be either loved or hated by musical theatre fans, mainly due to oversaturation on Broadway and the West End: the likes of Mamma Mia!, Tina and Romeo & Juliet have dominated theatres worldwide for the sense of familiarity they provide to audiences. However, Bat Out Of Hell the show differs from these due to its unique plotline, smartly arranged running order, and explosive cast performances. Acclaimed by critics and accessible to anyone, Meat Loaf fan or not, this is an album that’s still beloved 45 years later and translates perfectly to the stage.
Bat Out Of Hell, New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 27 Sept-Sat 1 Oct. Tickets: £24-£54. Info: here
words RHIANNON FARR
