Here’s the thing, some people like Marmite, and some don’t. I always add it to my gravy and most people don’t mind. The music of Steps can be equally divisive some people like it, some don’t, but when you add it to a piece of musical theatre, well most people, on the evidence of the Opera House audience love it!
But let’s dig a little deeper than the whooping, cheering and joining in that I witnessed on press night.
First of all, you hire a critically acclaimed writer such as Shaun Kitchener to pen a story into which you can fit the songs of a 1990’s pop group. That’s not so easy. Many “catalogue” musicals fit the story round the songs. On the evidence of “Here and Now – the Steps musical”, the songs fit around the story and that is one of the strengths of this show.
The songs advance the story line and they’re not just there because they are part of the catalogue. Once or twice the link is a bit tenuous, but they still work. That is helped by clever arrangements by Matt Spencer-Smith to make the song fit the mood. As presented here, some of the songs are not just high energy, but also quite beautiful when stripped back.
Mr Kitchener’s plot is as thin as a cigarette paper at times, but what the show lacks in depth, it makes up for in sheer drive and optimism, and we all need a bit of that in these difficult times.
Driving the show forward with the power of a tornado is Rebecca Lock as Caz, a supermarket worker who wants to help her close knit fellow workers and makes a pact with them to realise their goals before the end of summer and her 50th birthday. Caz’s co-workers played by Jackie Dubois, Rosie Singha and Blake Patrick Anderson are reluctant, but agree. Each have issues in their lives to remedy, but Caz has an early set back which starts a set of circumstances off providing the backbone of the show. The talent and stagecraft the four of them display is breathtaking.
Snarling and bitching her way through the production is Finty Williams as Patricia, the supermarket owner whose extra marital activities prove to be her undoing. In the hands of a lesser actor this could be a “nothing part” but Ms Williams makes it memorable and like a pantomime baddie, turns to the good side eventually. The object of her “extra marital” desires Max is a slightly one dimensional character, but Edward Baker-Duly milked it for all it was worth!
That old cliché “space prevents me from mentioning all the performers individually” applies here, but without exception the whole company was wonderful. One of the most impressive aspects of the show is the sheer energy and optimism they give us. Without “outing” them, Blake as Robbie and River Medway as Jem are memorable and touching. Direction by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreography by Matt Cole ensure the pace and spectacle never falters
Sound and lighting will send me for tests at Boots the opticians as soon as I can get an appointment and Tom Roger’s ever moving set was inventive and right.
On the evidence of this production, the summer of love is as hot as ever!
(Oh, and I do like Marmite)
“Here and Now” is at the Manchester Opera House until 13th September then tours until May 2026. HERE & NOW | The Steps Musical (Rebecca Lock does not appear at all venues.)
Reviewer Philip Edwards
Reviewed: 4th September 2025
North West End UK Rating: