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Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Full Cast Announced for 2025 UK Tour of Bat Out of Hell The Musical
The producers of the award-winning Bat Out of Hell The Musical, which features Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's greatest hits, have announced the full cast for the upcoming 2025 UK tour. This electrifying show, which begins performances on 6 January 2025 at the Edinburgh Playhouse, will tour across the UK until 20 September 2025, concluding in Northampton. Fans can expect a spectacular production featuring a dynamic cast, iconic rock songs, and unforgettable theatrical energy.
Joining the previously announced Glenn Adamson as Strat, Katie Tonkinson as Raven, Rob Fowler as Falco, and Sharon Sexton as Sloane, new cast members include Georgia Bradshaw as Zahara, Ryan Carter as Jagwire, Carla Bertran as Tink, Luke Street as Ledoux, and Carly Burns as Valkyrie. The full ensemble cast features a talented mix of West End and touring performers, including 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. At certain performances, roles such as Strat, Falco, Sloane, and Ledoux will be covered by alternate actors, including Luke Street and Beth Woodcock.
Inspired by its arena tours in Australia and New Zealand, this reimagined production promises to be a high-octane experience, with a sprawling set design featuring multi-level platforms and an on-stage eight-piece rock band. The show immerses the audience in the fantastical world of Bat Out of Hell, delivering some of the most iconic rock anthems ever recorded. The musical features Jim Steinman’s legendary songs like You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That), and Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad. It also includes the previously unreleased song, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most.
The stage adaptation of Bat Out of Hell has wowed audiences worldwide, with successful runs in Manchester, London’s West End, and international productions in Canada, Germany, New York, Las Vegas, and beyond. It received critical acclaim and won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards, in addition to eight nominations at the WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical.
The musical tells the story of the immortal leader Strat and his love-at-first-sight obsession with Raven, the daughter of Falco, the ruler of a dystopian city. As their passionate connection grows, the two lovers find themselves caught in a struggle that threatens to tear both of their families apart. The production brings Steinman and Meat Loaf's epic collaboration to life on stage with a thrilling mix of music, romance, and rebellion.
The creative team behind Bat Out of Hell The Musical includes book, music, and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, musical supervision by Michael Reed, additional choreography by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, and lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe. The UK tour is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith, and David Sonenberg, with executive producer Julian Stoneman.
Audiences across the UK will have the chance to experience the exhilarating power of Bat Out of Hell when it kicks off its tour in 2025. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of rock ‘n’ roll, love, and rebellion!
photo credit:
Thursday, 5 May 2022
Bat Out of Hell Returns to the West End
The producers of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, are delighted to announce the musical’s return to London in 2023. The show, which is currently touring the UK and Ireland, will play a limited season at the Peacock Theatre with performances from 17 February, ending on 1 April 2023.
Bat Out of Hell – The Musical will also have a residency at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino from 27 September 2022.
Casting for both productions to be announced.
Bat Out of Hell – The Musical wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and London’s Dominion Theatre from 2017 to 2019. The musical also ran successfully in Canada, Germany and at New York’s City Centre in 2019. The current UK and Ireland tour began performances at Manchester Opera House on 11 September 2021 and has been playing to sold out houses and great critical acclaim.
Bat Out of Hell – The Musical won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical. Bat Out of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 60 million copies worldwide. 16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).
For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), Bat Out of Hell, I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.
The electrifying rock songs of Mr Steinman propel an epic story of rebellious youth and passion as Strat, the immortal leader of The Lost, has fallen in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the tyrannical ruler Falco.
The UK & Ireland Tour of Bat Out of Hell - The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography adapted by Xena Gusthart, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume designs by Meentje Nielsen, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG and UK Tour casting by Anne Vosser.
Bat Out of Hell – The Musical is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl & Tony Smith, with executive producer Julian Stoneman.
This tour is dedicated to the memory of Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away on 19 April 2021, and Meat Loaf, who passed away on 20 January 2022.
Website: www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com
Twitter, Facebook & Instagram: @BatTheMusical
photo credit: Chris Davis Studio
Friday, 5 November 2021
Bonnie and Clyde in Concert Full Cast and Company Announced
Fourth Wall Live is delighted to announce the full cast joining Broadway star Jeremy Jordan in the sell-out BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 January 2022. www.bonnieandclydeconcert.com
Joining the previously announced Jeremy Jordan as ‘Clyde’ will be Olivier-nominated performer Frances Mayli McCann as ‘Bonnie’. The previously announced Laura Osnes is no longer performing in Bonnie and Clyde in Concert.
The principal cast is completed by West End stars including Olivier Award winner George Maguire as ‘Buck’, Natalie McQueen as ‘Blanche’, Trevor Dion Nicholas as ‘Preacher’ and Liam Tamne as ‘Ted’.
The cast is completed by Casey Al-Shaqsy (The Prince of Egypt, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as ‘Stella’, Simon Anthony (The Wedding Singer, Ragtime) as ‘Cop/Bud/Archie/Deputy Johnson’ Gillian Bevan (Holby City, Into The Woods) as ‘Cummie Barrow/Eleanor’, Eloise Davies (Be More Chill, Grease) as ‘Trish’, Adrian Grove (Follies, Wonder.land) as ‘Henry Barrow’, Olivier Award nominee Debbie Kurup (Girl From The North Country, The Bodyguard) as ‘Governor Miriam Ferguson’, Matthew Malthouse (Matilda, Mrs Henderson Presents) as ‘Bob Alcorn’, Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera) as ‘Judge/Sheriff Schmid’, Russell Wilcox (Billy Elliot, Annie) as ‘Captain Frank Hamer’ and Julie Yammanee (Lazarus, Spamilton) as ‘Emma Parker’.
George Maguire is the winner for the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance as ‘Dave Davies’ in Sunny Afternoon. His other theatre credits include 35mm: A Musical Exhibition at The Other Palace Studio, Oliver! at the London Palladium and the European tour of Rent.
Frances Mayli McCann is an Olivier Award nominated actress, who originated the role of Kylah in Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. Her other West End credits include ‘Heather McNamara’ in Heathers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, ‘The Mistress’ in Evita at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Eponine’ in the UK and International Tour of Les Misérables.
Natalie McQueen’s West End credits include playing ‘Doralee Rhodes’ in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre. Her other theatre credits include the UK tour of Wonderland, Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre and Starlight Express at The Other Palace.
Trevor Dion Nicholas’s West End credits include ‘George Washington’ in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre and ‘Genie’ in Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre. He also presents on Magic at the Musicals and appears as a panellist on ITV’s All Star Musicals.
Liam Tamne’s West End credits include playing ‘Ramses’ in The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre, The Light in the Piazza at the Royal Festival Hall, The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre and Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT has a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical), a Tony Award nominated score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel), lyrics by Don Black (Tell Me On a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Henderson Presents) and is directed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with musical direction by Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys). The Assistant Director is Alexzandra Sarmiento (Hamilton, Message in a Bottle), Lighting Designer is Zoe Spurr (The Unreturning, Tiny Dynamite), Set and Costume Designer is Philip Whitcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, Mame), Sound Designer is Tom Marshall (The Drifters Girl, Nativity! The Musical), Production Manager is Phil McCandlish (Rock of Ages, Elf), Company Stage Manager is Graham Harrison (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Deputy Stage Manager is Anne Baxter (Singin’ in the Rain, Spamalot), Assistant Stage Manager is Tom Fisher (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Dialect Coach is Charmian Hoare (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, War Horse) and children’s casting is by Keston and Keston (Nativity! The Musical, A Christmas Carol). BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT is produced by Fourth Wall Live and co-produced by DLAP Group, Jason Haigh-Ellery and David Treatman Creative.
The band is made up of Assistant Musical Director Chris Poon (Keys 2), Kate Ingram (Reed 1), Hannah Lawrance (Reed 2), Kobi Pham (Guitar 1), Jack Pennifold (Guitar 2), Zach Okonkwo (Drums), Elliot Lyte (Fiddle)and Annie Blake (Bass).
At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America's most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement's worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The show features the songs “Raise A Little Hell”, “This World Will Remember Me” and “Made In America”.
When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame, combined with a desperate need to lift themselves out of the endless banality and poverty of West Dallas, set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo's fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.
Fourth Wall Live is a live entertainment company that produces concerts internationally. It regularly brings Broadway artists to the UK, previous concerts include Broadway and TV regulars Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Kelli O'Hara, Chita Rivera, Laura Michelle Kelly, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison, Erich Bergen, Eden Espinosa, Julia Murney and Cynthia Erivo. Other concerts include West End Stars solo concerts including Michael Ball, Matt Cardle, Kerry Ellis, Oliver Tompsett, Hannah Waddingham, Sharon D Clarke and Bonnie Langford. Upcoming productions at Cadogan Hall include Jenna Russell, Shoshana Bean, Keala Settle and Jessica Vosk.
Tori Amos’s musical The Light Princess was presented to critical acclaim, as a special one-off concert in the summer of 2018. Next year Bonnie & Clyde the musical concert will run for two nights to a sold-out audience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Jeremy Jordan.
Fourth Wall Live also regularly partners with the Hippodrome Casino, in November-December 2020 they produced 25 nights of socially distanced entertainment, proudly being the first live event post lockdown. The current season of Hippodrome concerts runs from September 2021 to December 2021 and features 20 nights of musical entertainment featuring Alice Fearn, Kerry Ellis, Hayley Tamaddon and David O’Reilly.Fourth Wall Live is committed to following all relevant UK Government Covid-19 guidelines, creating a safe working environment for our cast, musicians, creatives, crew and their families.
Sunday, 22 July 2018
In Conversation With... Jordan Luke Gage and Christina Bennington | Bat Out of Hell | Interview
Hello Bat Out of Hell fans! You've may have thought the Bat content was over with Bat Month done and the leading ladies' Stagey Guide to Singing posted, but fear not because we have another interview with Christina Bennington aka Raven and Jordan Luke Gage aka alternate Strat!
You’ve been in the show since the beginning, what’s something memorable from each city you’ve been to?
Christina Bennington: I’ve been very lucky to have settled in different cities with the show. In Manchester, it was wonderful to experience Jon’s incredible set for the first time and really find our feet. Sometimes literally on that mountain. The Coliseum standing ovation on the last night and our crazy exit stunt was a ‘pinch me’ career moment. Our fans are incredible and it felt like a real party for us all together. In Canada we had a wonderful time with our audiences. We had been told they would be ‘more polite’ but I guess we had all the rockstars in the audience. We certainly felt welcomed with huge warmth there.
What’s it like going back to your ensemble after playing Strat? Are you always wanting to sing the Strat track?
Jordan Luke Gage: Being able to perform two parts each week is a blessing because it keeps the performances fresh for me. Every time I get to play Strat it feels like opening night again which is thrilling. My ensemble track dances more than Strat so it’s nice to have that difference in the shows - one day I get to sing these epic songs and play this larger than life rockstar and the next I get to sweat it out in the ensemble.
Christina and Jordan as Raven and Strat | Photo Credit @EllieLoolaVlogs
Which ensemble characters would you like to play?
Christina: Denym and Spinotti. When I grow up, I want to be Isaac Edwards. The way he makes the choreography his own and embellishes and fills in between the steps is inspirational. He’s one of the characters I interact and connect with the most. I’d love to be able to express myself physically the way he does. I also absolutely love Spinotti. Natalie Chua has made her so feisty and interesting. She is an integral part of the Lost – especially as a fighter!
What’s your favourite song to perform as Strat?
Jordan: Ooo tricky question! Obviously I love performing Bat Out of Hell. The way the song builds allows you to feel like you’re on this crazy adventure which results in totally pouring your heart out on stage and squeezing out every ounce of energy in your body. You feel totally liberated and bare on stage and it’s a beautiful feeling!
I also LOVE For Crying Out Loud. Jim Steinman’s lyrics exude passion and colour and Michael Reed’s arrangement takes you to another world. When I got the audition through for the show, this was the first song I listened to on the soundtrack and my heart rate went out the roof! I knew that I had to be in this show!
Can you tell us about any fun cut scenes from the show?
Christina: I really loved singing (and dancing) It Just Won’t Quit. That’s an absolute favourite of mine that’s been cut. It’s wonderful that the show is constantly evolving and growing. Maybe I’ll just have to sing it at a concert sometime…
How do you maintain your vocal health singing the intense Steinman music every night?
Jordan: It’s so important to rest! I can’t function without at least 8/9 hours sleep each night and lack of sleep really affects your voice so this is key! Also, hydrate! I drink water constantly throughout the day, at least 4 litres a day. Also I never sleep with the heating on in my room and always have the window open - this might just be a myth, but having natural air flow when you sleep stops you drying out!
What’s your favourite Raven outfit?
Christina: I love them all but I have a special place in my heart for the birthday party dress. It’s a beautiful handmade couture dress and I love that it’s playful and girly but with a harder edge. The net detail looks like feathers so it’s the biggest nod to a raven. I also wear a very cool raven ring with it.
photo credit: Specular
Raven’s wedding dress is gorgeous but is only seen briefly. Can you tell us a little about it?
Christina: I’m so grateful that our creatives have taken our input seriously on this show. It’s a true collaboration. When Jon was creating the wedding dress he asked me what I needed from it. I knew I wanted it to still have a lot of movement. Raven always needs to be able to run and jump, no matter what she’s wearing. We started with a full length white dress and Jon pulled up parts of it and started pinning to create texture. We played with it and adjusted the bodice until it felt right.
What do you think makes the show appeal you both old and new fans of Jim Steinman/Meatloaf?
Christina: Jim’s music is epic and bombastic. It’s full of joy and sadness, energy and feeling. My mum tells me you can’t help but leave full of joy. I think people come back time and time again to feel that high.
I certainly agree with that! If you're wondering what rocking, wild, exhilarating show to see this summer then Bat Out of Hell should definitely be your first choice! A huge thank you as always to Jordan and Christina for chatting to us and to everyone who sent in questions for them both.
Bat Out of Hell is currently at the Dominion Theatre until 27th October 2018
Post by Editor, Olivia Mitchell
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