The Review Hub

This critic is old enough to remember Steve Steinman’s iconic portrayal of the late, great Meatloaf on ITV’s Stars in their Eyes way back in 1993. This catapulted him in to instant stardom as he moved on tobigger and better things. Steinman has created quite a following. The queue from the merch stand this evening was testament to his popularity and his shows are clearly still engaging a large cult fan base in what was a packed out auditorium.

Vampires Rock: Eternal Love the Musical is an ambitious mix of rock and musical theatre and, while there’s no denying the sheer brilliance of the performances – backed by an extremely capable band – it doesn’t shy away from the fact that this is essentially a theatrical rock concert and not really a musical at all. The cast truly deliver, with awesome singers bringing an impressive gothic energy to the stage. The music, a new score written by Steinman (not his usual tribute to the power ballad and classic rock genre) and his phantoms. They definitely set the mood and showcase the vocal talents of the performers.

However, as much as the songbirds shine, the script leaves much to be desired. The storyline feels tenuous and, at times, confusing, making it difficult to fully connect with the characters or the overall plot. The narrative seems to jump around, and certain parts felt a bit disjointed, as though key elements were glossed over in favour of music and spectacle. This particular show being part of a trilogy and having not seen the other offerings, one couldn’t help but wonder if your reviewer had missed something?

Whilst the show’s high-energy performances are entertaining, the script could definitely use more clarity and cohesion to bring everything together. Still, it’s a fun night out for fans of rock music. Just don’t expect a fully fleshed-out story. This aside, the concert-like vibes are electrifying and the musical numbers certainly get your foot tapping. Luke Thomson’s projection and lighting design cleverly complement the freakish and avant-garde setting.

So buckle up all you vampires and creatures of the night – this show is as camp and as bloody as a long weekend in Whitby.