Tonights the Night at the Sheffield Lyceum Review
Tonight’s the Night
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
27-31 May 2014
Reviewed by Gemma Brunt
Tonight I was lucky enough to go to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield to Review “Tonight’s The Night – The Rod Stewart Musical.”
The Lyceum is easily reached by public transport and car, there are plenty of car parks nearby so you needn’t walk too far, the staff are polite and helpful and there is plenty of space to have a drink and a chat before the show and during intervals. I have never been disappointed when visiting the Lyceum.
Not having the biggest knowledge of Rod Stewart songs, bar the few I listened to as a child when in the car with my parents, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the show, but arrived with an open mind and ready for a laugh or two, I wasn’t disappointed!
“Tonight’s The Night” is a musical comedy, written by Ben Elton, inspired by the songs of Rod Stewart, set in Detroit and LA (and a few other places in-between), and tells the story of Stuart marvellously played by Ben Heathcote), who is a shy and lovable nerd of a character, who due to his shyness can’t tell Mary (played by Jenna Lee-James) the girl he is in love with his true feelings.
The show follows the trials and tribulations of Stuart’s life as his dreams come true. Unlike most stories of love, the show doesn’t purely focus on the story developing around Stuart and Mary but also several other characters, meaning that it never felt stale, there was always something new.
All the characters were well thought out and written, from the nerdy Stuart to the lovable Mary to the hilarious Stoner (played by Ricky Rojas) and the cast playing them were superb you could see they were enjoying putting on a show as much as we were enjoying watching it. They really gave it their all for the entire show.
This show is packed to the rafters with stunning choreography and music played by a live band that you just can’t help but dance along in your chair… and it wasn’t just me doing that I saw plenty of others! Amazing costumes and wonderfully designed sets.
Though I didn’t know all the songs, that didn’t impact at all on my enjoyment of the show or stop me dancing in my seat and I would highly recommend anyone to go and see it, be they a diehard Rod Stewart fan or someone who hasn’t heard his songs.
The final scene was the icing on the cake, the whole audience was on their feet swaying side to side… and most of them singing along, though I won’t go into detail as I don’t want to spoil the surprise.
A truly enjoyable night, highly recommended.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £24 to £34 (plus booking fee).
Tonight’s the Night is at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield until 31 May 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0114 249 6000.
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA | Box Office 0114 249 6000
