Here and Now

Here and Now, The Steps Musical

Steps fans, your dream show has arrived

Almost a year after its premiere, Here and Now is on tour with many of the same cast and an even greater sense of sparkle. One thing is certain: if you’re a Steps fan, you’ll absolutely love every single track. This is a production made for those who grew up with their upbeat anthems, unapologetically celebrating nostalgia and glitter.

While the story feels familiar, somewhat reminiscent of Empire Records, this musical is set in “Better Best Buys”, a struggling supermarket facing a corporate takeover that threatens to turn it into trendy condos. The staff rally together, making a rather questionable bargain involving the so-called “Pineapple of Destiny”. With so many Steps references throughout, it’s surprising the prop wasn’t something more iconic, perhaps a glittering microphone or even a dramatic (tragedy) theatre mask would have been more fitting.

At the heart of the show is Rebecca Lock as Caz, who truly carries the production. Every number she performs is a hit, her powerhouse vocals and magnetic presence command the stage. Without counting, it feels as though she sings at least 80% of the numbers, and the audience couldn’t get enough. Her rendition of Heartbeat was especially moving, combining emotional depth with soaring vocals that hushed the theatre before erupting into applause.

While Lock shines, some of the other performers, mainly the men, seemed to be struggling vocally, raspy and perhaps recovering from something but their energy and commitment to the choreography kept spirits high. Edward Baker-Duly, as Max, delivers a deliciously villainous performance as the corporate antagonist, earning pantomime-style boos from an excitable post-interval audience.

The show itself is what I’d call a “party musical” a guaranteed good time. The plot is simple, the characters fun and surface-level, and the songs familiar and infectious. Jukebox musicals often benefit from recognisable tunes, and this one leans into that wholeheartedly. Character subplots; an artist struggling for expression, a partner who’s left, a shy admirer, and a man with commitment issues rooted in childhood abandonment, themes touch lightly on emotional themes but never quite deepen beyond their introductions. Still, many of these threads weave into LGBT+ representation and acceptance, adding further heart beneath the glitter.

River Medway, as Jem, brings the drag persona Amanda Smooch to life with a perfect blend of weary celebrity and playful sass. Their “washing machine” moment in one routine was particularly hilarious, a highlight that had the audience roaring.

Visually, Here and Now is a triumph. Tom Rogers (Set Designer) and Howard Hudson (Lighting Designer) have crafted a vibrant, high-energy world drenched in pink and blue hues. The supermarket set, complete with aisles 5, 6, 7 and… 8 creates a playful setting filled with inflatables, trolleys, and, of course, the pineapple. Gabriella Slade’s costume design ties everything together beautifully, from stripy staff uniforms to dazzling rhinestone ensembles.

While a few songs touch on melancholy themes, the show overall is a jubilant celebration of friendship, love, and 90s pop. By the finale, the theatre erupts into a euphoric curtain call, where the audience is encouraged to sing, dance, and film along, turning the end into a full-on concert experience.

Here and Now captures the party, fun, and heart that Steps are known for, offering something for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. It’s the kind of show where you leave grinning, humming the tunes, and perhaps even dusting off your platform trainers.

Photo credit Pamela Raith