Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2021 14:10 Page 1
Theatre
Theatre previews from around the region
Bat Out Of Hell The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 4 - Sat 15 January; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 26 - Sat 30 April
A jukebox musical set in a dystopian future and positively awash with greatest hits from an impressive back-catalogue, Bat Out Of Hell is not to be confused with Queen blockbuster We Will Rock You, which can be pretty much summed up in exactly the same way. Premiered in 2017, the Jim Steinman/Meat Loaf extravaganza is heavy on rock music and light on plot - which is yet another thing it has in
common with We Will Rock You. The story, such as it is, unfolds in a Manhattan of the future - one which has been turned into a desolate wasteland and is lorded over by a ruthless dictator named Falco. The evil tyrant is determined to rebuild the city and will stop at nothing to get his way. But a group of kids whose DNA is permanently frozen - meaning they will be 18 years of age forever - are equally determined to thwart his dastardly plans... Featured hits include I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love and, of course, Bat Out Of Hell.
Strictly Sherlock
Animal Farm
Dirty Dusting
Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 13 January
The REP, Birmingham, Sat 22 January - Sat 5 February; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 12 - Sat 16 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 17 - Sat 21 May
Stafford Gatehouse, Wed 12 January; The Place, Telford, Tues 18 January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Fri 21 January
Following on from The Singular Exploits Of Sherlock Holmes, this one-man homage to the world’s greatest fictional detective features three of Holmes’ most memorable cases - The Sussex Vampire, The Creeping Man and The Devil’s Foot. The production is presented by highly rated Midlands company Don’t Go Into The Cellar, who describe themselves as the UK’s ‘finest practitioners of theatrical Victoriana in a macabre vein’. 28 whatsonlive.co.uk
George Orwell’s legendary Animal Farm is no simple tale of talking beasts. The story of how the animals of Manor Farm overthrow their human master is actually a satire on the Russian Revolution and Josef Stalin, touching on subjects including propaganda, show trials and the abuse of the worker. This 90-minute adaptation of the classic 1945 novel is presented by the Children’s Theatre Partnership in association with Birmingham Rep.
When overzealous office manager Dave decides to put his cleaners, Gladys, Elsie and Olive, out to pasture, the three women wonder how they’re ever going to make ends meet. Until, that is, they have the brilliant idea of setting up The Telephone Belles - ‘a dirty sex chatline that really cleans up’! Coronation Street’s Vicky Entwistle and ’Allo ’Allo!’s Vicki Michelle (pictured), star.
