Here And Now Is The Ultimate Crowd Pleaser

I love Steps, they are definitely my musical guilty pleasure, and so a musical featuring all their hits was always going to be met with approval. Here and Now is just that show, but adds in a whole lot  more – a talented cast having the time of their lives, a brilliant set creating a seaside supermarket, and a witty script raising lots of laughs, and you have what has been described as the best jukebox musical since Mamma Mia. And that is Praise indeed.

Here and Now is about love and friendship. The four fabulous leads, Caz, Vel, Neeta and Robbie, all work together at the Better Best Bargains Supermarket. Caz is approaching her 50th birthday and decides that this should be the ‘Summer of Love’ for them all. But events concerning the supermarket ownership get in their way, and Caz makes a decision that could jeopardise all their jobs. Will the Summer of Love turn sour for all of them, or will everything be sorted by the final song…

The four leads, Lara Denning as Caz, Jacqui Dubois as Vel, Rosie Singha as Neeta and Blake Patrick Anderson as Robbie, are all great, and have a lovely chemistry that makes their friendship feel very real. Lara Denning in particular, has impressive vocals, particularly on the beautiful ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘One for Sorrow’. River Medway, as Jem, Robbie’s love interest, is a hoot, and provides my favourite moment, singing Chain Reaction with a host of washing machines, a number that feels as frothy and camp as Steps at their pinnacle. Sally Ann Matthews is a hoot as the French mangling Patricia, whilst their is also great support from Chris Grhamson as Gareth, Ben D’Arcy as Ben, Lauren Woolf as Tracey and John Stacey as Lesley. The Cast is rounded out by Edward Baker-Daly as the villainous Max, giving lots of pantomime baddie vibes.

Here and Now captures what made Steps so popular, it is cheesy, fun and as camp as Christmas. Sure, there are some real messages underneath, but why pile on the misery when you could be having a crazy supermarket hoedown to 5,6,7,8, or the funniest break up you will see for ‘last thing on my mind’. Here and Now knows its audience, and that’s what keeps it warm, funny and utterly loveable.

The best jukebox musical around – you better, best believe it!

Here & Now – The Steps Musical

11 – 15 March 2026

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Click https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/ for ticket information

Sharing is caring!