BEN Elton’s musical comedy Tonight’s The Night, the one with the Rod Stewart songs, is booked into the Grand Opera House, York, from April 28 to May 3.
After the West End and touring success of Elton’s show built around the music of Queen, We Will Rock You, he has repeated the formula with Rod The Mod’s five-decade back catalogue.
As with Queen, Stewart does not appear in the show. Instead, Tonight’s The Night, The Rod Stewart Musical, is set on the mean streets of Detroit and in the glamorous clubs of uptown Los Angeles and tells the story of gas-station mechanic Stu Clutterbuck, a shy young man so tongue tied that he cannot find the courage to declare his love to the girl of his dreams.
How different he is to his hero, rock’n’roll vagabond Rod Stewart, a guy who never had any trouble hitting on a girl.
One night, Stu strikes a deal with the Devil, trading his soul for Rod’s, and although it seems a good idea at the time, he is soon to learn the hard way that you cannot find true love by using another man’s moves. Devil or no devil, there is only one Rod Stewart.
Written by comedian and stage and screen writer Elton, the show is directed by Cjay Ranger and choreographed by Denise Ranger and features 25 Rod Stewart hits such as Maggie May, Stay With Me, Sailing, Hot Legs, Do You Think I’m Sexy, You’re In My Heart and You Wear It Well.
The cast for York is yet to be announced. At present, the 2014 tour features Jade Ewen, the former Sugababes member who represented the UK in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest and will play the role of Dee Dee until April 23. Watch this space for news of who will be appearing at the Grand Opera House.
• Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Wednesday and Saturday matinees cost £15 to £32 on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york
Win tickets
Courtesy of the Grand Opera House, York, What’s On has three pairs of tickets to be won for the opening night of Tonight’s The Night on April 28 at 7.30pm.
Question: What is the name of the gas station mechanic in Tonight’s The Night?
Send your answer with your name, address and daytime phone number to Charles Hutchinson by Friday 17 January. Usual competition rules apply.
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