“It’s a bit like going to a gig but with a great story that’s being told,” says Glenn Adamson, star of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, which roars into Milton Keynes Theatre imminently.

This reimagined production will be an absolute blast, Glenn promises: “Audiences are in for an absolute rock and roll party. It’s larger than life and an absolute riot.”

It features the music of songwriter and producer Jim Steinman and Meatloaf, and that first album remains one of the bestselling in history, with more than 70 million copies sold.

Not simply a jukebox musical, there is a story here too, based on the book by Steinman.
Bat Out of Hell is set in the dystopian city of Obsidian, which is ruled over by tyrannical leader Falco. The DNA of the Lost boys and girls has been frozen so that they are destined to remain 18 forever, living in the tunnels beneath the city. Then the fearless leader of the Lost, the immortal Strat, locks eyes with Falco’s daughter Raven and the immensity of their love-at-first-sight obsessions threatens to destroy both of their worlds.

Glenn stars as Strat in this high-intensity delivery: “He is sort of like Iggy Pop meets Peter Pan, stuck at age 18 for eternity,” he says of the character, “He falls in love with Raven, but she’ll continue to age while he can never grow older. It’s a dilemma, to say the least.”
Glenn, who has also wowed in We Will Rock You and American Idiot, isn’t new to the work, having previously toured Bat Out of Hell in Australia and played the part in the West End.

But he is naturally excited about the opportunity to reprise the role: “It has the most incredible music and it’s a really joyous team to work with. We have such good fun and it’s just an incredible show. It has a great fan base and there’s no feeling quite like being in it.
“The buzz being out there each night is amazing.”

Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including the title track, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as the previously unreleased song What Part of My Body Hurts the Most.

“The songs are perfect for a musical because they are so theatrical and poetic,” Glenn points out. “He writes these banging tunes that lend so well to the format. Sometimes in a musical it feels like the songs are shoehorned in, but here they feel they were always supposed to be in a show.”

Husband and wife Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton originated the roles of Falco and Sloane.
“It has kept all of Jim’s authenticity and music alive,” Rob says of this new delivery, “And from a performer’s point of view, it’s definitely going to be more in-your-face rock and roll. It’s like everybody in this piece is now a rock star.

“Jim’s songs are like a two-act play,” he said, “Every song has its own story and journey, and that keeps the piece moving. It’s like going to your favourite theme park. Every ride is exhilarating, every ride is an adrenaline rush and every ride makes you want to get on it again.”
Bat Out of Hell successfully bridges the gap between gig and theatre show, and it also unites audiences, and families.

“I’ve seen grandparents come along with their grandchildren and they tell us, ‘Seeing the show, it made me go home and share my record collection with my grandkids’,” said Rob, “That’s the power of Bat Out of Hell, both with the music and the story. It brings together all the misfits of the world, all the outsiders, who come and see this show that’s also full of misfits and they all kind of find each other.

“It’s so lovely to see people find new friendships via a show that we’re so proud to be part of.”

Bat Out of Hell – The Musical comes to Milton Keynes Theatre, June 16-28.
To book tickets visit atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes