Here & Now – The Steps Musical: A Joyful Celebration of Pop, Friendship and Community

Here & Now – The Steps Musical is exactly what its title promises: a bright, bold, dance‑fuelled journey through friendship, love and life — all set to the irresistible pop catalogue of Steps. Let’s clear one thing up first: this isn’t a story about Steps, the band. Neither is it just a greatest hits revue. Rather, this new British musical stitches the band’s iconic tunes into an original story about four friends working together in a seaside supermarket called Better Best Bargains, exploring their dreams, dramas and relationships over the course of one transformative summer.

At the centre of the action is Caz, the lead role now brilliantly played by Lara Denning for the UK and Ireland tour. Callout: Lara’s vocals were spectacular, carrying effortlessly through the auditorium. “They’re gonna get so much fun and joy from a show that’s full of relatable characters,” Denning says. “They’ll see themselves in the people up there on the stage… It’s a story about how it’s okay to make mistakes, about forming amazing friendships, forging new bonds and discovering what really matters in life.”

Written by Shaun Kitchener and directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, Here & Now had its world premiere at The Alexandra in Birmingham in November 2024, where it became the theatre’s fastest-selling show ever. Co-produced by Steps, the musical features their most beloved songs, seamlessly woven into the story. Denning admits, “I’m a huge Steps fan, but who isn’t? These songs are just incredible, and they’re integrated into the story so brilliantly. It will leave everyone absolutely buzzing from all the Steps bangers.”

Caz, about to celebrate her 50th birthday, works in the seaside superstore Better Best Bargains — a cheeky nod to Steps’ 1999 hit, Better Best Forgotten. One of Denning’s favourite moments is a slowed-down ballad of One For Sorrow, performed when Caz is most vulnerable. It’s a poignant reminder of the story’s heart beneath the sparkle.

Joining Denning are Jacqui Dubois as Vel, Rosie Singha as Neeta, Blake Patrick Anderson as Robbie, and River Medway as Jem, a drag queen customer. Each cast member brings a wealth of experience and distinct personality to the stage, creating a diverse, relatable ensemble. Dubois notes that the show is “heartwarming, funny, it’s got a bit of everything and you can share it with all the generations in your family,” while Singha highlights the show’s inclusivity: “You don’t often see South Asians on stage, plus this show has such a gorgeously diverse cast… audiences will see people that they know or can identify with.”

The musical isn’t just a nostalgic romp; it’s a carefully curated production built around Steps’ extraordinary back catalogue. With 22 million record sales and 500 million streams, Steps are the UK’s most successful mixed-gender band ever. Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans, and Lisa Scott-Lee have released 14 top-five singles, four number-one albums, and sold out arenas across 11 tours.

Lee Latchford-Evans adds: “We’re not trying to shoehorn songs in there just for the sake of it. It’s been about getting the story right, then seeing which song fits which scene lyrically and emotionally. We’re so lucky to have such a huge back catalogue to choose from.”

The creative team behind Here & Now is equally impressive. Award-winning director Rachel Kavanaugh, choreographer Matt Cole (whose credits include Newsies and Flashdance), and Shaun Kitchener, hailed by The Times as a “playwright to watch,” ensure the show is more than just a jukebox musical. Cole has cleverly blended Steps’ iconic dance moves with new choreography, creating moments of both nostalgia and spectacle.

With a set designed to transform a humble seaside supermarket into a vibrant playground for dance and drama, and a cast whose chemistry radiates warmth and energy, the production delivers escapism at its best. Lee summarises the ethos perfectly: “No matter what’s going on in your life, you can come to one of our shows, put it all aside for two hours and have a great time. If we manage that with the musical too then we’ve done our job.”

By the final megamix — a euphoric medley of Steps’ greatest hits — the audience is on its feet, dancing, cheering, and singing along. I may not be a full-fledged Steps fan myself, but being surrounded by devoted fans, their infectious energy was impossible to resist. Here & Now – The Steps Musical is more than a feel-good night out: it’s a celebration of friendship, love, diversity, and, above all, joy. In today’s world, a little sparkle, heart, and unabashed pop energy is exactly what we all need.

Go see it – even if it’s only for the sheer joy of being entertained.

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