London, June 11: Gravelly-voiced singer Rod Stewart is hoping Tonight's The Night for months, if not years, as a musical based on his songs prepares for an October debut in London's West End. The show, woven around 22 of the British singer's hits, has been written by comedian and dramatist Ben Elton, responsible for turning rock group Queen's output into the musical We Will Rock You.
"It's going to run for 100 years -- it will still be running when I'm the wrong side of the grass," Stewart said on Tuesday.

Stewart, 57, will not appear in the musical, called Tonight's The Night after one of his best-known songs, but has given it his full backing.

"It's a great body of songs. I didn't realise till I heard all these songs back, how long and how many songs I've had," he said. The musical chronicles the exploits of a shy young man who attempts to win over the love of his life by emulating his hero -- Rod Stewart.

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Stewart's manager, Arnold Stiefel, who is also co-producing the musical, said the singer's work would be "omnipresent" throughout the show.

"It's a boy-girl love story and though Rod never appears in it and no one playing Rod appears, the feeling of Rod purveys the whole thing," he said.
A cast of 36 will restage favourite Stewart numbers at the Victoria Palace Theatre including Do Ya Think I'm Sexy and Sailing.

The show will join a slew of recent London musicals based around hit pop songs, including the Abba-themed Mamma Mia!, Madness' Our House and Queen’s We Will Rock You.
Bureau Report