Brace yourself for a legendary night of rock ‘n’ roll as BAT OUT OF HELL: The Musical explodes back onto the stage, promising a spectacle that will leave you breathless!
Ryan Carter who’s credits include Motown The Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Boyfriend (Menier Chocolate Factory) Ain’t Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre) to name a few, is currently playing the role of Jagwire in the 2025 UK Tour of Bat Out Of Hell. Ryan was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about the show and his career so far.
Q1) Please can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself, how you got into Musical Theatre and some of your highlights in your career so far?
Hey! ✌🏾 I’m Ryan Carter, I’m a London based Theatre Performer and Creative and I’m currently playing Jagwire in the 2025 tour of Bat Out Of Hell! Having way too much fun!
My entire family are creatives and ‘theatre-adjacent’ in some capacity, so I grew up knowing its value. Earliest memory of thinking ‘This is amazing I must do this and only this’ was when I went to see a college production of Little Shop Of Horrors. My Dad was involved in the production of it so I got to play in the Audrey 2 puppet whilst he was de-rigging lights or something. (I can’t remember what he was doing exactly, I was having far too much fun getting eaten by a giant prop plant).
I moved to London at 16 to go to The Urdang Academy in Angel. Motown the Musical was my West End Debut, I did that show for 2 and a half years. I joined after its first cast change and then stayed until it closed which felt special. One of my favourite jobs as a performer was ‘The World Goes ‘Round’ at the Barn Theatre. We performed it on an outdoor festival site during the pandemic and I just felt really lucky to be doing what I loved. Also Kander and Ebb write some gorgeous stuff and I really rarely get to sing it. So that was definitely a joy. I’ve been lucky enough to create some really cool work too which I’m pretty proud of. Turn Up London was a huge deal for me both professionally and emotionally, would be weird for me not to mention that one!
Q2) Bat Out of Hell is a rock musical with music, lyrics and book by Jim Steinman, based on the Bat Out of Hell album by Meat Loaf .. when were you first introduced to the show and what made you say ‘YES’ to role?
I knew of the show, and was pretty familiar with its reputation. I must admit (and people are gonna hate me for this), I hadn’t actually seen it before my audition. I was super familiar with Jim Steinman’s stuff, and Bat Out Of Hell is actually one of my little brothers favourite musicals. So when he heard I was going up for it, he politely requested I try and book it. 😂 I think my 3rd audition was the one where they gave me Jagwire’s Objects In The Rear View Mirror verse, and at that point I fell in love with the song and knew I’d accept it if I was lucky enough to be offered the role. Steinman was quite heavily inspired by Wagner, so I feel like loads of this stuff feels big and epic and emotional to perform even though they’re chart toppers. It’s a singer / actor’s dream!
Q3) What is your favourite song from the show, and why?
To perform? Probably Objects in the Rear View Mirror. It just sits in that cathartic place for me vocally so it just feels good to sing. To watch, all of the actors that are part of ‘The Lost’ perform a number called ‘Out Of The Frying Pan’. They’re all stupid talented and I just get to stand in the wings watching em every night. I was warned about how impressive Rob and Sharon’s What Part Of My Body Hurts The Most is, and the warning was completely accurate. It’s insane every time I hear it. Glenn and Katie (or Luke and Katie’s) ‘For Crying Out Loud’ is another one that I try to watch whenever I can. Their chemistry is electric and their voices are actually quite ridiculous.
Q4) How were rehearsals? What has the rehearsal process been like?
Intense? But I knew that going in. We had 3 weeks, then a couple off for Christmas, and then we had a few days tech and had opened before I’d even had my Christmas tree collected. What’s really cool about this company is there are a bunch of cast that have done versions of the show before. So the few moments where I’d get lost or overwhelmed, I could just look to my left and right and ask someone who practically had Bat in their DNA. Everyone is here because they love it and you really feel that energy backstage. I’m a big fan of all of them.
Q5) What is the most influential thing someone has ever said to you regarding your performing career so far?
It was Matthew Xia, and it was about rest—emotional and physical rest. I’d asked to take him out for dinner because he’s one of the few creatives I know who shares some of my interests and works in my chosen field. I wanted his advice on how to keep breaking moulds and pushing barriers. He told me that it’s ok to step out of the fire and back into the frying pan if I need to. This industry is relentless, with layers of systemic oppression built into its actual foundation. At that point, I think I’d been beaten all the way down. I know no one should have to be told, “Hey, it’s okay to take a break, recover, and come back when you’ve regained your strength,” but the truth is, most of us do need to hear that. Someone reading this probably needs to hear it, too. Tadahhhh you’re welcome.
Q6) If you could play any other role within the show, who would it be and why?
D’you know what. I love my role. And I can’t see myself fully in anyone else’s. But I would love to have a crack at For Crying Out Loud, and Heaven Can Wait.
Q7) If you could send a message to your 2015 self what would you say?
I’d probs suggest that 2015 Ryan chills the hell out.
(He won’t listen, not even to future force ghost Ryan).
Q8) Bat Out Of Hell is touring the UK this year, why should people come and see the show?
Bat Out Of Hell is a passionate, abstract and high-energy musical featuring some of the greatest songs ever written, performed live by a pretty sensational cast. If you don’t know Bat but love that kind of thing, you’ll have a great time. For the Bat Fans that have supported the show since the start, hopefully you’ll enjoy getting to see it again, even if it is a different version of the show. ‘New Bat’ is better than ‘No Bat’ Right? Beyond the show being great, it’s also a rough economic climate for the arts in general. For anyone who can, I’d just encourage supporting theatre in any capacity. It’s not just about supporting the individual shows anymore, it’s about sustaining the industry we love. Supply and demand and all that!
