The Batmobile made a smashing entrance in the lead-up to opening night of Batman Live in Manchester, when it crashed into the set.
Batman’s iconic vehicle, which features several impressive design quirks, such as virtual wheels, which lift the car up from the stage, crashed at the Manchester MEN arena during rehearsals of the spectacular theatrical show.
Thankfully there was a spare Batmobile, which had been on display in Manchester city centre and was brought to the Manchester Evening News Arena to replace the original.
Veteran racing car designer Gordon Murray designed the Batmobile for Batman Live, which has drawn excellent reviews.
As well as the virtual wheels, the Batmobile features laser generators on the front.
Murray said: “I drew on my early experiences as a child, reading the comics and watching the Batmobile grow as a character.”
The setback was minor in comparison to the wealth of problems the recent Spiderman: Turn off the Dark musical on Broadway, which famously had 182 previews before officially opening in June this year.
Unlike Spiderman, however, Batman Live is not a musical but a theatrical acrobatics show with big screen effects. It tells the story of how Batman and Robin become a team.
With a cast of 43, Batman Live begins its life in Manchester before travelling to Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham and London’s O2 arena before carrying on its long tour of the UK and Ireland. The producers hope that it will continue touring until 2016.