Review: Bat out of Hell the musical | 2025 UK tour, Glasgow

Lisa in the theatre
2 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Jim Steinman's rock musical based on his iconic Bat out of Hell albums with Meatloaf is on a major new UK Tour in 2025. As the new show arrives in Glasgow for a two week run, we're treated to some new and some familiar cast members - all of them fantastic. The plot is as confusing as ever, but the musical is saved by the crowd-pleasing soundtrack, sensational music and vocals. Read my full review from the opening night of Bat out of Hell the musical at Glasgow King's Theatre below.

Bat out of Hell - the musical: Book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman | Directed by Jay Scheib

Review: King's Theatre, Glasgow | 07 April 2025

Find a £15 ticket deal for Bat Out of Hell in Glasgow via ATG Tickets HERE

Katie Tonkinson as Raven and Glenn Adamson as Strat in BAT OUT OF HELL. Credit Chris Davis Studio — Katie Tonkinson as Raven and Glenn Adamson as Strat in BAT OUT OF HELL. Credit: Chris Davis Studio

Bat out of Hell review, 2025 UK Tour, Glasgow ⭐⭐⭐

The reimagined 2025 UK tour production of Bat out of Hell is based on the recent Australia and New Zealand arena tours. It sensibly puts the iconic music of Jim Steinman and Meatloaf front and centre. The live band are seated on stage for the entire show, and they sound fantastic. The acoustics in the Glasgow King's Theatre are perfect for this show and every musical number sounds impeccable. Loud and thumping, but balanced just right so that we can hear every word of the cast's phenomenal vocals.

The soundtrack for Bat out of Hell is epic with anthems such as 'Dead Ringer for Love', 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)' and the titular 'Bat Out of Hell' among many cherished hits performed with gusto.

The full-scale song and dance numbers are where this musical excels. Meatloaf was known for his theatrical performances and so a musical based on his best loved songs is a match made in heaven. Each musical number is like a mini-pop concert with powerful vocals and the volume turned up to eleven. The dance choreography is a little constrained by the busy set, but the company throw themselves into each routine with an urgency and fervor that never fails to get the crowd going.

But it's in-between the songs where Bat Out of Hell struggles. The story is perplexing to say the least and the dialogue feels awkward. The vibes are odd, almost uncomfortable at times. It feels like everyone, audience and performers alike, are simply filling time until the next big musical number.

The cast of BAT OUT OF HELL UK tour. Credit Chris Davis Studio

What is Bat out of Hell the musical about?

In a post-apocalyptic future, a group of teenagers (The Lost) live in disused subway tunnels underneath the city of Obsidian. The city is ruled by a tyrannical leader, Falco who lives in a skyscraper with his wife, Sloane and their teenage daughter, Raven. One night, after The Lost protest outside Falco Towers, Raven's eyes meet those of the charismatic Strat - the leader of the Lost. And so begins a story of forbidden love, conflict, power struggles and motorbikes told through the medium of Meatloaf music. It's an unhinged, dystopian Romeo and Juliet meets Peter Pan.

But honestly, the story barely matters. It's difficult to follow every thread of the plot and character arc; I bow down to you if you can. The superb music is what we're all here for, and it's the music that the audience will return for time and time again.

The company for the 2025 UK tour of Bat out of Hell are excellent. On opening night in Glasgow we had the extremely talented Luke Street as Strat; his powerful vocals and electrifying stage presence ideal for the lead in this rock-led musical. Katie Tonkinson's Raven is stunning. Her gorgeous vocals shine throughout the show but soar during 'It's All Coming Back to me Now.'

Georgia Bradshaw's Zahara and Ryan Carter's Jagwire also impress; their beautiful version of 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad' is one of the best received ballads in the set. So too Reece Duncan's Ledoux stands out anytime he takes the mic.

Fan favourites Sharon Sexton and Rob Fowler steal the show as the mum and dad of Bat out of Hell, Sloane and Falco. Sexton is a West End legend and Fowler a rock front-man in his own right. Both have been performing in Bat out of Hell the musical since it's premier in 2017. The real-life couple's chemistry is unmatched, their comic timing and fearlessness is a joy to behold. Their vocals are impeccable, and their 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' is the highlight of the show. But arguably Sexton and Fowler steal every scene they're in. They're a huge asset to this production and worth the ticket price alone.

Sharon Sexton and Rob fowler in the BAT OUT OF HELL UK tour. Credit Chris Davis Studio

Presentation wise, Jon Bausor's set and costume design are fabulous for this new Bat out of Hell tour. The multilevel stage is well conceived with many interesting and varied spaces for the company to perform. Gone is the plexiglass greenhouse, thank goodness, and instead the Falco's living quarters are more accessible to the audience. There's little need now for the handheld camera-work which looks grainy and shaky. And while I've seen this done well in other productions, here I find it now distracts from, rather than enhances, the central action.

Bat ouf of Hell on stage feels dark overall, but the bleak hues work well to set the apocalyptic scene and amplify the ominous tone. No matter where they are on set, the lead cast are always beautifully lit. More could be done with the stage surround lighting however: flashes of stark white light feel like an afterthought.

None of this takes away from the magnetic, beating heart of this musical which is the epic Jim Steinman and Meatloaf music. Much like Starlight Express and We Will Rock You, the story for Bat out of Hell the musical is nonsense; but what fun nonsense it is! Take it with a pinch of salt, come for the music, the band and the vocal performances and Bat out of Hell is a scorching night out at the theatre.

Bat out of Hell is at Glasgow King's Theatre from Mon 7 - Sat 19 April 2025 and then continues on tour across the UK in 2025. Find full UK tour dates here

Bat out of Hell 2025 UK Tour Cast

Glenn Adamson as Strat and Katie Tonkinson as Raven in BAT OUT OF HELL. Credit: Chris Davis Studio 2

Glenn Adamson Strat

Katie Tonkinson Raven

Rob Fowler Falco

Sharon Sexton Sloane

Georgia Bradshaw Zahara

Ryan Carter Jagwire

Carla Bertran Tink

Luke Street Ledoux

Carly Burns Valkyrie

Completing the cast are Leo Abad, Peter Camilleri, Joshua Dever, Reece Duncan, Georgia Holland, Georgia Iudica-Davies, Natalie Pilkington, Harriet Richardson-Cockerline, Sophie-Rose Emery, Catherine Saunders, Ethan Tanner, Craig Watson*, James Wilkinson-Jones and Beth Woodcock.

*Glaswegian actor Craig Watson, who placed third on ITV's Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, plays the role of Astroganger and is the show's Resident Director.

At certain performances the role of Strat will be played by Luke Street, the role of Falco by Joshua Dever, the role of Sloane by Beth Woodcock and the role of Ledoux by Reece Duncan.