When Tiffany Graves won a lead role in the Rod Stewart musical Tonight’s the Night, she was delighted for many reasons.
Sure, she had secured a great dual role as a worldly-wise production manager and a sultry version of Satan herself. But she had also been given a golden opportunity to get more acquainted with a certain rock legend’s discography – though it was largely unnecessary, as it transpired.
“When I first got the job I thought ‘brilliant, I’ll be able to learn Rod’s back catalogue’, but there are so many songs that you actually know. For example I didn’t know Handbags and Gladrags was his, I just thought it was the Stereophonics’,” said the English actress and singer.
“And I think that’s the gift with this show, because people don’t realise how many songs they know. And because so many people have done covers of his songs, it’s okay for us to do them with different voices and characters without it being a shock to the system.”
And Tiffany certainly puts her own spin on a Rod Stewart classic. In her role as Satan – a sexy silver jumpsuit-clad iteration of the underworld’s overlord – she is introduced to the audience with a silky rendition of Tonight’s the Night.
Meanwhile, her other role, the rock musician producer and southern belle, Baby Jane, is equally powerful, though a lot less scary.
“My inspiration for Baby Jane was the recent Thomas Crown Affair film with Rene Russo where she comes in with those big heavy boots on and the sexy suspenders underneath and sunglasses on. She can dress up all professional and still be really sexy and knows exactly what she’s doing. I was trying to channel her,” she explained.
Written by funnyman and author Ben Elton, Tonight’s the Night is a jukebox musical at its best. Like Ben’s other self-penned west-end hit, We Will Rock You, which featured the music of Queen, “Tonight” is a great combo of fan-favourite hits by British rock royalty and a light-but-involving plot.
Here’s the boiled down version: chronically shy Stu strikes up a deal with the devil to find the courage to declare his love for the object of his affections, Mary. His soul is, of course, swapped with that of Rod Stewart. But with the transaction comes the temptation to pursue the life of a rock star – including a bit of bed-hopping with Baby Jane – will he want to return to his one true love?
“I think with this show, it’s a pretty simple show,” Tiffany said candidly. “But Ben Elton has done a great job with a simple story, by making it still really heartfelt. And the songs are incorporated in such a way that you actually follow everyone’s story throughout. So you might start watching the show thinking it’s just a jukebox musical, but you connect with the characters.”
The term “jukebox musical” is a confusing one. Yes, it’s derided by traditionalists of the musical genre, but it’s one of the most commercially successful forms. Does a good jukebox really do any harm?
“I think that, it’s like having classical music and pop music. There’s so much space to be able to have both. Don’t get me wrong, I love a classical musical where you get to have your beautifully-written songs and plot intricacies. But I also love the fact that we get to stand on stage and sing amazing songs, with an amazing band behind us, and the audience love it,” said Tiffany.
“So the proof is in the pudding really. It’s escapism, it does what it says on the tin, it’s a bit of fun and everyone wants to have that release. And the fact that people already know those songs means they can relax.”
Mind you, if Tiffany is ever criticised for confessing her love of jukebox, she has the best retort. The crowning glory of her already impressive CV is her performance in the National Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebration production last year. During the one-night-only broadcast event, she performed in excerpts of three plays – Jerry Springer The Opera, Mysteries, and Pravda.
The highlight for Tiffany, as it would be for anyone, was sharing the stage with theatrical royalty. The reality really sunk in while she was backstage in the green room where all the actors waited to be called to the stage.
She said: “The only way I can describe it is it was like the Olympic village for actors. It was like the Avengers Assemble for the creme de la creme of British theatre. You had Helen Mirren sitting there in her dressing gown and slippers, and Judi Dench beside her.
“Everywhere you looked, it was like ‘there’s the entire cast of Harry Potter. There’s Dumbledore and McGonagle’. You just had to pinch yourself. I just walked around thinking, ‘I’m the only person here that I’ve never heard of’. It was incredible.”
Tonight’s the Night, the Rod Stewart musical, will be at HM Theatre, Aberdeen, from Monday to Saturday, May 19 to 24. For performance times and tickets, visit www.aberdeen performingarts.com or call 01224 641122.