Glenn Adamson and Katie Tonkinson in Bat Out of Hell [Chris Davis Studio]

LOOSELY based on JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, Jim Steinman’s high-voltage musical makes a triumphant return to the Peacock Theatre, as part of a UK tour, complete with its operatic rock ballads and spectacular staging.

A gang of teenage outcasts known as the The Lost, frozen in age, inhabit the tunnels beneath Obsidian, a post-apocalyptic Manhattan ruled by the tyrannical Falco (Rob Fowler). Their immortal leader Strat (Glenn Adamson) falls for Raven (Katie Tonkinson), daughter of Falco and Sloane (Sharon Sexton).

Meat Loaf fans are clearly the target audience, though the central love story seems designed to broaden the show’s appeal. On the night I attended there were plenty of couples and a wide age range.

Jay Scheib’s production is full of theatrical flourishes: The cast sing into handheld mics, a roving cameraman projects several scenes onto giant screens and the titular anthem closes the first half accompanied by fire flares and confetti cannons. But the mash-up of style and themes – youthful rebellion, obsession and romance – may not please all.

The story is occasionally perplexing. Sublots involving various characters proliferate, mainly to pack in the hits. But the powerhouse vocals and live band impress and Jon Bausor’s 1980s-inspired costumes and Linda McKnight’s wigs are a treat.

There’s no shortage of raunch in the choreography (adapted by Xena Gusthart); bare male torsos abound, and in one scene Fowler is left gyrating in neon pink pants after a tryst with Sloane – their scenes are among the show’s most memorable.

Gloriously over the top, Bat Out of Hell is an ear-splitting, in-yer-face, rock fantasy driven by Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Dead Ringer For Love and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad.

Not for the faint-hearted.

Until June 7
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