“Fun for all, it would be a tragedy to miss it!”
It’s difficult to think of a better word to describe Steps’ music than fun. Even the more serious or emotional songs are often so lively that it makes people feel the need to move in some way. It feels almost inevitable that we’d have a musical dedicated to them eventually if we stop and think about the impact they made on British pop in the 90s. Here & Now is the realisation of that and it delivers a lively performance that remains engaging in what is not a traditionally exciting setting.
The most important thing about any jukebox musical is that the music fits the narrative. If too many of the songs feel shoehorned in or the narrative feels forced to blend with the music as opposed to the music fitting the narrative, it can feel like watching a concert as opposed to a musical. Thankfully, this is not the case with Here & Now. It goes without saying that a supermarket is not the most exciting place in the world. That said, it does give off the notion of being an oddly entertaining environment for a stage show and that turns out to be correct. It also strangely balances out with the choice of music. It just works, nothing feels out of place which is honestly a relief. Let’s address the obvious; there are lot of musicals around these days. Especially jukebox musicals and there does appear to be a growing sentiment that people will just make a musical out of anything these days. While some may champion this, others are more selective in what they choose to see.
So, why go and see this one? For fun of course! Here & Now is full of fun and for fans of Steps wishing to see the show, rest assured that all the classics are in the mix. “5, 6, 7, 8” livens up an annual sale in a very unexpected fashion that will make you want to get on your feet. “What The Future Holds” acts as a perfect close to act 1 and in the same vein, “Tragedy” is the clear choice to open act 2 with the fallout of the supermarket being shut down fusing the song choices together effectively. This cast were so talented that a lot of the numbers felt like showstoppers and “Neon Blue” was no exception. One standout moment was when Kaz sang “One For Sorrow”. Lara Denning’s vocals were phenomenal throughout however this is where she shined the brightest. It was a pleasure watching her perform! Neeta and Ben’s rendition of “Something In Your Eyes” was both amazing and hilarious.
The juxtaposition of people declaring their feelings for each other out the back of a supermarket by the bins was so ridiculous it was brilliant. Rosie Singha’s vocals on this song and throughout the whole show are incredible, it really would have been a different production without her. Neeta’s character is very endearing, largely as a result of Singha’s acting. We’ve all been Neeta at some point, crushing on someone to the point of having word vomit every time you speak around them or not knowing what to say at all. It felt very relatable.
One thing the show manages to do very well is traverse a range of emotions in a way that still leaves you feeling positive even as you leave the theatre. Kaz isn’t going through the best of times and yet the narrative manages to tackle subjects such as divorce and even the prior loss of a child in a way that isn’t inherently depressing. Even when the seemingly happy life she leads alters around her, the environment she’s in really keeps her from spiralling which is important. The show doesn’t treat her troubles as unimportant or trivial but instead shows us how having good friends around you and how working alongside people you care about can help you feel grounded even when life isn’t easy. The relationships between the employees of Better Best Bargains are where the joy of this show lies. They feel like a family and the bond they have with one another is strong. It felt nice to watch these people have a laugh with one another and pick each other up when needed. It’s also worth noting that this was an impressive set. The supermarket aesthetic is captured very well and the use of lighting for the aisle numbers and stock feels instantly engaging.
Overall, this is definitely a show worth seeing! If you’re a fan of Steps and a fan of musicals, this is a delightful blend of the two and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll leave feeling more positive than when you came in. Don’t miss it!
This show is definitely a feel-good night out and highly enjoyable! Steps fans should be running to the theatre to catch this. Here & Now is on at the Edinburgh Playhouse from now till Sunday 1st March and heads to Milton Keynes for its final tour stop from Tuesday 31st March-Saturday 4th April.