I really didn't think this would be up to much. I'm generally not a huge fan of stage shows anyway, even superhero themed ones. But some of the pics and clips I saw of this made me even more wary. Then you have the Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark debacle that critics bashed so vehemently. Batman Live isn't a musical, but you couldn't help feeling they would be pretty similar.
Well I haven't see
Turn Off The Dark but I can tell you that
Batman Live was a big surprise. Obviously you have to walk in with reasonable expectations and have some idea of the Batman story you are going to get. Christopher Nolan fans need not apply if they are expecting this to be in ANY way dark and gritty. This is closest in tone, though still not even quite as dark as,
Batman The Animated Series with a bit of the old Adam West tv show and some Joel Schumaker thrown in for good measure too. Now if that sounds tortuous trust me it isn't. For the purposes of a stage show it's actually the perfect tone to go with. There are still problems, but overall I was pretty impressed.
The story actually focuses more on Robin that it does Batman. We do see a very well staged account of a young Bruce Wayne losing his parents (probably as downbeat as the show gets) then it's on to the flying Graysons and from there the story of Dick's need for justice leading him to his ultimate destiny as The Boy Wonder. There are elements of Dick's quest to bring down the man responsible for his parents' deaths turning into revenge and thus murder but it's pretty much glossed over in favor of a more family friendly approach. Of course what would any Batman story be without his rogue's gallery? Here we have a whole host of em. Catwoman is introduced first and after a quick scuffle with Batman she is established as she is so often in the comics as his love interest. Then it's on to The Penguin's Ice Bar where he, Two-Face, Riddler and a reluctant Catwoman agree to join forces to finally rid Gotham of Batman. But the most dangerous threat to both Batman and Robin is of course The Joker, who along with Harley Quinn has devised a plan to ensnare the dynamic duo and put and end to em once and for all.
There is more to it but that's your basic plot. Trust me though, you won't really be focusing too much on the story, it's the spectacle that will grab you. The production really is brilliant. A mixture of stage props and a background screen which uses comic panels and images to signal a change in location works to great effect and provides the right atmosphere. The music is just right and suitably "Batmanish". There are also some great acrobatics on display. Think
Circe De Soleil only not quite on that level. The performances are generally very good. Obviously everyone needs to ham it up for this type of thing but some do it better than others. Stand outs are Jim Gordon (wished he had more stage time) and Harley Quinn who may as well have stepped straight out of the Animated Series, she's awesome. The Joker is pretty spot on too although he laughs a little TOO much for my liking. Catwoman is also impressive, bringing some sex appeal to the proceedings. And both Poison Ivy and Scarecrow make a couple of great cameos too. The rest of the villains are good but don't have much to do beyond their initial introductions.
So what about the most important players? Unfortunately this is where the main problems lie. The guy who plays Robin is fine, I mean he is a little annoying but that's Robin. Batman has no excuse. He needed to be the best thing in this and he was the worst. Everything from his line delivery to his poses to his wire work just seemed too forced. I wasn't impressed at all. Which leads me to another problem. Most of the wire work is very well done except when any characters are fighting. It's far too slow and actually laughable in places. As is some of the hand to hand fight choreography. It's much easier to forgive this sort of thing in a live show though and I doubt it will hinder your enjoyment too much.
Know what you are in for and I'm sure you will enjoy this show. I'ts campy, silly and fun as well as being a very well put together spectacle. A few dodgy moments and performances aside any Bat fans should have a ball.
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