IN the year when Rod Stewart has returned to the top of the charts with Time, his first album of original material in 20 years, the timing could not be better for Tonight’s The Night to be booked for a York run.

Ben Elton’s West End musical comedy, inspired by Stewart’s songs from his five-decade career, will play the Grand Opera House from April 28 to May 3 next year.

Set on the mean streets of Detroit and in the glamorous clubs of uptown Los Angeles, Tonight’s The Night tells the story of 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, the rock’n’roll vagabond Rod Stewart, a guy who never had any trouble hitting on a girl. One night, however, he strikes a deal with the Devil, trading his soul for Rod’s. It looked a good idea at the time, but soon he will discover the hard way that you can’t find true love by using another man’s moves. Devil or no devil, there is only one Rod Stewart.

Tonight’s The Night’s scriptwriter, Ben Elton, is already responsible for the Queen musical We Will Rock You. This time he is working alongside director Cjay Ranger and choreographer Denise Ranger.

Presented by Phil McIntyre Entertainments, Arnold Stiefel and the Grand Opera House’s owners, the Ambassador Theatre Group, the show will feature such songs as Maggie May, Hot Legs, Sailing, Stay With Me, You Wear It Well, Reason To Believe and I Don’t Wanna Talk About It.

Tickets cost £15 to £32 on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york