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Jacqueline 09:19 pm UTC 03/16/17 |
| In reply to: | Another"review" that's more like a feature story but hey.... - Jacqueline 09:17 pm UTC 03/16/17 |
| Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical, Opera House, Manchester http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/leisure/featured_article_panel/15158888.REVIEW__Bat_Out_Of_Hell__The_Musical/ 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. > > http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/160376528-review-bat-out-hell-musical-manchester-opera-house > > Review: Bat Out of Hell the Musical @ Manchester Opera > House > > 16 Mar 2017 - 06:00AM | By Nicola-Jayne Wells > > Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell the Musical has opened at > Manchester Opera House featuring the amazing talent of > Andrew Polec and Christina Bennington. > > Set in the futuristic year of 2100, the plot follows > overprotected daughter Raven – beautifully played by > Bennington – who is both vulnerable and innocent. > > She falls for forbidden love interest Strat – played by > Polec – who survives on the dark lit subways deep > underground. > > Her father Falco – with Rob Fowler in the role – fights to > save his daughter from the arms of Strat, with devastating > consequences. > > > OUTSTANDING: The cast manage to wow the audience > > The main cast is supported by a faultless and super > talented ensemble of rebel wasted youth, who really rock > the stage with their funky dance moves and superb vocals. > > Speaking to MM, Fowler explains: “A lot of people know > these songs as Meat Loaf, rather than Steinman. I am > hopeful, that they will now know them through the master > himself.” > > During the opening number All Revved Up with No Place To > Go, Polec – almost reminiscent of a young Jim Morrison – > demonstrates he is capable of being a pure rock god as he > gets the audience going. > > From this point onwards, this gorgeously crafted musical > takes you on a whirlwind journey of forbidden love, > betrayal and desperation. > > > BIZARRE: A mysterious world is brought to life > > Along the way the audience become engulfed into their dark > and mysterious world. > > You will use every single emotion you have; you will > laugh, love and cry as you are taken over by reminisces of > the Meat Loaf/Steinman classics. > > It’s almost Lost Boys meets Romeo and Juliette, with > awe-inspiring choreography by Emma Portner. > > At the age of just 21, she’s the youngest in her field to > ever put together this calibre of musical – and it’s clear > she’s exceptionally talented. > > With a combination of ballet, street dance and freestyle > on display, the choreography is young, funky and vibrant. > > > THRILLING: The costumes and choreography add to the fun > > Speaking to MM, Emma explains: “I take a lot of pride in > merging different genres together. > > “A lot of the dance movements were ballet and breakdance. > I felt very lucky to have such a supportive cast and > trusted them with freedom of expression to produce their > own improvised moments.” > > The scenery is stunning with cleverly mastered designs on > various platforms that provide an all-round interactive > experience. > > With clever technical camera work, the audience watch > Raven in her room and, as if in her dream, are transported > into a bizarre but beautiful hallucinogenic experience. > > Producer David Sonenberg tells MM: “It’s not all about > teenage love, now it’s pan generation, the show caters for > all ages. When the cast are off stage, they are still > hanging around singing. > > “Steinman’s music gets in your blood”. > > OPERA HOUSE: The musical is in town until April > > Bennington gives a haunting performance of Heaven Can > Wait as she hits the stage in a white nightie. > > The angelic glow is projected into the audience to enable > those in attendance to feel like they’re visiting heaven. > > The show-stealing number belongs to Danielle Steers and > Dom Hartley- Harris – who play Zahara and Jagwire – as > they perform the power ballad Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad. > > Steers’ voice proves that she is very much a rock goddess, > whilst Hartley- Harris’ is a fire ball of rasping, molten > steel. > > The duo proves to be simply outstanding and only make this > production even more epic. > > *Bat Out of Hell the Musical is playing at Manchester > Opera House until Wednesday, April 8. > > > Sent from AOL Mobile Mail | |
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