Set in the bright and breezy world of Better Best Bargains, a seaside superstore where Friday nights are for dancing in the aisles, Here & Now follows Caz and her friends as they navigate a summer filled with love, lies, and the promise of a “happy ever after.” Beneath the glow of glitter and barcode scanners, romance blossoms, secrets spill, and friendships are tested to the pounding rhythm of Steps’ biggest hits. It’s a story that wears its heart firmly on its neon sleeve – a tale of second chances, self-discovery, and the belief that love (and maybe a bit of coordinated choreography) can conquer all.
Here & Now is a brand-new jukebox musical built around the iconic songs of Steps—the UK’s most successful mixed-gender pop group, whose catalogue of chart-topping hits has defined the sound of British pop nostalgia for over two decades. Produced by Steps themselves in partnership with ROYO and Pete Waterman, with direction by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreography by Olivier Award-winner Matt Cole, the show sets out to capture the euphoric energy of the band’s music in a fictional narrative world. Featuring a book by Shaun Kitchener, Here & Now combines 1990s and 2000s pop flair with the glitz of British seaside escapism. The creative team includes Tom Rogers (set design), Gabriella Slade (costume design), Howard Hudson (lighting), and Adam Fisher (sound), all helping to build a colourful, camp and thoroughly feel-good experience currently touring the UK and Ireland.
There’s no denying that Here & Now is a bit of fun – a pop-fuelled spectacle that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s unabashedly cheesy, knowingly so, and thrives on that sense of communal joy. The cast work incredibly hard throughout the evening, bringing relentless energy and commitment to every number, dance break, and tongue-in-cheek moment.
As Caz, Lara Denning (new to the role this week) delivers a standout performance. Her vocals are stellar throughout, combining clarity, power, and emotion, and she carries much of the show’s narrative weight with great skill. It’s a demanding role—both vocally and dramatically—and Denning rises to the challenge superbly, anchoring the chaos with charisma and heart.
Dean Rickards, stepping in as Robbie, deserves enormous credit. As an understudy, he gave a performance so assured and polished that one might have assumed he’d been playing the role since opening night. His vocals were secure, his timing sharp, and his characterisation genuinely engaging. He didn’t put a foot wrong, and the audience warmly responded to his performance. Understudies and swings are the beating heart of the industry and should never be valued as lesser than the main actor – Rickard’s performance is an absolute testament to this.
Rosie Singha’s Neeta impresses vocally—her tone is rich and confident—but it’s a pity the book doesn’t allow her character more dimension. She has clear potential to be a show-stealer, but her moments are all too often fleeting. Meanwhile, Patricia, though a smaller role, is an absolute delight. Played with pitch-perfect comic timing, the character evokes shades of Victoria Wood—wry, grounded, and irresistibly funny. Her scenes inject warmth and humour, cutting through the high-gloss chaos beautifully.
The ensemble deserve huge praise. They are ever-present, working tirelessly as dancers, shoppers, and background characters, and they infuse every moment with vitality. Whether executing Matt Cole’s lively choreography or reacting subtly in the background, they never feel misplaced or static. Their commitment and cohesion are vital to the show’s success—and they deliver in spades.
Visually, Here & Now is a treat. Tom Rogers’ set design cleverly evokes the fluorescent world of a bargain superstore while also providing flexibility for more intimate or dreamlike moments. It’s camp in all the right ways—colourful, exaggerated, and brimming with character. The lighting design by Howard Hudson is equally effective, adding shimmer and warmth to big ensemble moments while underscoring emotional beats with subtle shifts.
A particular triumph is Gabriella Slade’s costume design. Though the cast are all notionally in uniform, each character has small quirks and personal touches that reveal their individuality. It’s smart, witty design work that reflects the show’s playful spirit.
Of course, as with most jukebox musicals, the narrative is the weakest link. The story occasionally feels forced and overstuffed, with so many plot threads vying for space that emotional moments can feel rushed. The insertion of Steps’ hits—while often thematically relevant—can sometimes feel shoehorned in. That said, for fans of the band, hearing beloved tracks like Tragedy, One for Sorrow, and 5, 6, 7, 8 in a live theatrical setting is a nostalgic thrill.
Rachel Kavanaugh’s direction leans heavily into comedy and warmth, though at times the balance between humour and heartfelt drama wobbles. The pacing could be tighter in parts, and some jokes don’t quite land. However, the feel-good energy rarely dips, and there’s no shortage of enthusiasm from cast or creative team alike.
Here & Now may not reinvent the jukebox musical, but it doesn’t need to. It knows exactly what it is—a loud, proud, sparkly slice of pop escapism—and it delivers on that promise. With an endlessly hard-working cast, infectious choreography, and some of the most recognisable tunes of the last 25 years, it’s impossible not to be swept along by the energy.
Lara Denning’s powerhouse vocals, Dean Rickards’ assured performance, and the ensemble’s unflagging commitment elevate this beyond mere tribute show territory. While the book could be sharper and the story more compelling, the heart—and the Steps-shaped nostalgia—carry it through.
For fans of the band, this is pure heaven. For everyone else, it’s an unapologetically cheesy, thoroughly enjoyable night out. It may not be profound, but it’s packed with fun, fizz, and fluorescent feel-good vibes—and it’s certainly one of the better jukebox musicals currently touring the UK.
Here & Now – The Steps Musical plays at the Theatre Royal Nottingham until Sunday 16th November 2025 where it continues its UK tour.
Photography throughout from Pamela Raith.
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