From the first minute the “curtain” rose on Here & Now at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, I couldn’t get over how absolutely wonderful the stage setting was.
The brand-new musical is based on the music of the 1990s iconic group, Steps, with a storyline centred around the staff of supermarket Better Best Bargains (BBB for short).
Set designer Tom Rogers brings that environment to life by creating floor-to-ceiling partitions, left and right, graduating to the back of the stage. Each partition is filled with “groceries” and lit continually with the most amazing colours. Overhead are aisles 5, 6, 7 and 8 (there’s a song in there somewhere), while, occasionally, a graffiti covered wall drops for outdoor scenes, and serving counters are pushed and pulled throughout the show.
The whole effect is beyond wonderful. I salute you Mr Rogers.
In the city as part of a UK and Ireland tour, Here & Now focuses on BBB’s staff – Caz (Lara Denning), Vel (Jacqui Dubois), Neeta (Rosie Singha), Robbie (Blake Patrick Anderson), Patricia (Sally Ann Matthews of Coronation Street fame), Lesley (John Stacey) and Ben (Ben Darcy).
They all get along very well and seem to view Caz as their leader. Despite her sunny disposition, Caz, along with husband Gareth (Chris Grahamson) is nervously waiting to hear if they will make suitable parents for an adopted child.
However, when hubby drops a bombshell, we learn it’s not the first heartbreak Caz has suffered in her life, in one of several scenes in which the party atmosphere suddenly changes course, catching us in the audience off guard somewhat.
While her love life hits the buffers (do they, don’t they reconcile?), love is in the air for several of her co-workers and the party vibe soon revs up once more.
The only thing getting them through the daily grind is the thought of the upcoming summer, hopefully, a summer of love.
Cupid takes aim and fires his arrows at Vel, Neeta, Ben, Robbie, delivery worker Tracey (Lauren Woolf) and customer Jem (River Medway), but who pairs up with who?
Not so lucky in love is supermarket boss, Patricia, whose shenanigans with her “French” lover Henri, aka Max (Edward Baker-Duly) created just some of the amusing scenes in the fast-paced production.
The most colourful character on the night is the flamboyant Jem, portrayed by River Medway, best known for competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
In fact, the whole production is one of colour, colour, colour – mainly pinks, with flashes of everything in between. At one point, the workers’ supermarket tabards even glowed glittery pink.
The main players, aided and abetted by the most energetic ensemble imaginable, each have their turn in the spotlight – we are amused by some, surprised, shocked and saddened by others, but never bored.
Here & Now features more than 20 of Steps’ hits including Stomp, Better The Devil You Know, One For Sorrow, Deeper Shade of Blue, Chain Reaction, Here & Now and, of course, the one we all sang along to on the night, Tragedy!
Accompanied by marvellous live music, all singing voices did justice to every one of the pop group’s songs. I particularly liked Anderson’s voice as the love-struck Robbie.
But Denning’s voice is a tour de force – her amazing singing never failed to mesmerise, entertain and, yes, stun at times, the audience in the fairly full theatre.
As for speaking voices, I did find them sounding a bit tinny at times, making one particular character’s words unintelligible. But all singing was spot on.
Here & Now, based on Shaun Kitchener’s book and directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, is an easy-to-follow storyline, given plenty of oomph by a very talented cast who, while thrilling us with a lengthy finale, seemed reluctant to leave the stage.
With everyone in the audience on their feet, singing and dancing along, an explosion of ticker-tape over us heralded an exciting end to a wonderful show.
Age guidance 5+
Here & Now runs until Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at the Hull New Theatre with tickets available at (01482) 300306 or www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 21st April 2026
North West End UK Rating: