★★★★★
Here & Now: The Steps Musical is a sparkling, brand-new production premiering in Birmingham that is based on the pop classics from platinum album, multi-million record-selling dance-pop group, Steps (Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans, and Lisa Scott-Lee).
Set in a seaside superstore called ‘Better Best Bargains’, Caz and her friends are dancing in the aisles, singing at the checkout, and planning a summer of love, but life seems to have other plans in store for them so only time will tell ‘What the Future Holds’.
Starring Rebecca Lock (Elf the Musical, Curtains, Heathers) as Caz, Hiba Elchikhe (The Time Traveller’s Wife, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Neeta, Sharlene Hector (lead vocalist for Basement Jaxx) as Vel, and Blake Patrick Anderson (Gatsby the Musical, Hair) as Robbie, this production also stars Finty Williams, Gary Milner, Dan Patridge, Helen Colby, Edward Baker-Duly, John Stacey, RuPaul’s Drag Race Star, River Medway, and a fantastic ensemble cast.
The store’s vibrant and colourful set (Tom Rogers), props (Propworks), and glittering costuming (Gabriella Slade) are brilliantly detailed, with well-stocked references to Steps’ extensive back catalogue. While the ‘Neon Blue’ lighting (Howard Hudson) and seaside sunsets and sunrises in the backdrop add a further depth to the staging.
The book by writer Shaun Kitcherner is also packed with Steps references as well as references to queer pop culture that play perfectly to this show’s key audience. These references are woven throughout the production but rather than feeling shoehorned in, they add layers to the humour, camp and fun of the show.
This uplifting, feel-good musical features an inventory of hit songs from Steps including: Better Best Forgotten, Stomp, Tragedy, Better the Devil You Know, and many more. Accompanying the music is lively, energetic choreography (Matt Cole) which incorporates many of the original dance moves that graced countless childhood bedrooms, bringing a sweetly nostalgic note to the production. While, the more emotional numbers in this musical offer incredible vocals, particularly in songs such as One For Sorrow.
This ‘middle aisle’ of musicals offers everything a Steps fan could want from a show; a clever, heart-warming and humorous story, queer romance, dazzling drag performance, simply irresistible musical numbers, dynamic dancing, and a grand finale medley that has the whole audience singing and dancing along.
‘A fiesta we’ll always remember’, Here & Now is a joyous story of friendship and love. A camply funny and incredibly entertaining musical, Here & Now has got a hold of my heart.
If you only see one more musical this year, make it this one, it would be a tragedy to miss it. I can absolutely see this musical becoming a much-loved favourite, in the near future, and I would love to see it get the ‘Mama Mia’ film treatment too.
Here & Now runs at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 30th November 2024. In 2025, the show will be touring various venues across the UK: https://thestepsmusical.com/
Directed by the award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh (Half a Sixpence, The Great British Bake Off Musical), written by Shaun Kitchener (Hollyoaks); it is produced by Steps alongside ROYO, Pete Waterman, Fascination Management, Runaway Entertainment, David Mirvish, Sony Music Entertainment, Wallport Productions, Aria Entertainment, and Bryan McCaffrey.
This review is written following a press invite to the show.
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