Andrew Polec has triumphed at the first ever edition of The Stage Debut Awards for his role in Meat Loaf musical Bat Out Of Hell at the London Coliseum.

The awards, held at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London last night (September 17), recognise new talent in the British theatre industry.

The lead actor in Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell The Musical won the prize for best West End debut. He was up against major stars Amber Riley (Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre) and John Boyega (Woyzeck at the Old Vic), as well as Anthony Boyle for his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre.

"This category was absolutely ridiculous, and it just goes to show that Bat Out of Hell has the best fans in the world," co-star Christina Bennington told the BBC.

It was the only award of the night to be voted for by the public.

You can read the incredible account of the Bat Out Of Hell album from manager/lawyer David Sonenberg here, go inside the West End show with producers Tony Smith and Michael Cohl and check out the Music Week review of the Meat Loaf musical.

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