 Story
and book by Kaythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by
Laurence O'Keefe, is based on an article from ‘Weekly World News’.
Bat Boy was a mysterious creature discovered in a cave in 1992, various
theories arose from this article, but Kaythe, Brian and Laurence thought
there could be a more reasonable story behind the creature. They have
written a story which they hope says more about human beings than
animals, leaving it up to the audience whether they look upon it as
being silly or serious, as a powerful allegory or parody but ultimately
hope we will see the folly of our fear of the different or unknown.
Whilst
exploring local caves three children disturb a creature, which is later
to be called Bat Boy. Scared
for his life he bites the middle child who is offering him food.
Dragged from the only life he has known and taken to the home of
the local vet he is locked up in a giant cage. Slowly as his confidence
is gained and he learns language, the two women of the household fall in
love with him. The town’s
folk all have prejudices against him and the Vet Dr Parker is the only
one whose like for the boy changes to disgust and hate.
The ultimate scene in the show is one of horror and blood!
I
had heard very little about ‘Bat Boy’ before going to see it other
than it is interesting, personally I thought it was okay, the storyline
has one or two interesting twists, the songs for me lack specific oomph
and I am afraid I came out feeling a little flat. The cast are obviously
putting their all into it, they have pleasant, but not superb voices,
the characterisations are interesting and despite most of the cast
having several parts they stay in character depending on which costume
they are wearing. As I have
said it was not for me but should anyone disagree I would love to
publish their opinion.
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