Faye Tozer

Here & Now

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Set in seaside superstore, Better Best Bargains, Here and Now follows the lives and loves of four co-workers and firm friends Caz, Vel, Robbie, and Neeta all set to a camptastic back catalogue of Steps classics. From 5,6,7,8 to One for Sorrow there’s nothing tragic about this feelgood musical, from the moment the first bop begins you know you’re in for a fun time. With Claire, H, Faye, Lee and Lisa all involved in the creative process this really is a celebration of their iconic hits and has clearly been crafted with love and careful consideration.

The story centres around Caz whose husband has walked out on her just as they’re on the verge of adopting, she makes a vow with her besties Vel, Robbie and Neeta to have a summer of love that they’ll never forget. Deep in the throes of heartbreak Caz meets Max who adds a little jeopardy to proceedings by offering her all she dreams on the condition she blackmails store manager Patricia, which unbeknown to Caz will devastate her friendships as a result.

Rebecca Lock is outstanding Caz, she truly shines on stage and gives the character depth and genuine likeability. Her vocals are rich while her acting is nuanced and heartfelt, she is a true leading leady and heads up this talented cast with gentle confidence and perfect control. Her delivery of Heartbeat is a real showstopper and a tender moment of calm amidst the sparkle and glitter.

Blake Patrick Anderson beautifully portrays the character of Robbie, showing sensitively how deeply abandonment issues can run. His pairing with River Medway as Jem is joyful, River brings a lightness to Jem that scoops not only Robbie up but every audience member too.

Rosie Singha hits every mark as loveable Neeta, desperately in love with co-worker Ben (Ben Darcy) but lacking in confidence to tell him how she truly feels while Jacqui Dubois is great fun as Vel, displaying some brilliant comic timing. Special mention must also go to Finty Williams who gives us the iconic and hilarious store manager Jackie, très bien!

The hits come thick and fast and unlike many other jukebox musicals never feel shoehorned in. Their placing is just right, giving this entertaining show perfect pacing and so much to enjoy. The classics are given the attention they deserve while the beloved ballads allow the quieter moments to truly shine.  

This is the epitome of feelgood, every creative element has been carefully considered resulting in a slick, stylish and hugely entertaining show. The talented ensemble take the legendary Steps routines we all know and love to the next level while Adam Fisher’s sound design ensures no beat it missed. This super fun show will ensure audiences head home happy, remind of us of just how many brilliant bops this iconic band have brought us while feeling joyful for the true friendships life brings our way.  

Here & Now is on at Manchester’s Opera House until Saturday 13th September tickets available here.

42nd Street

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Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

42nd street is set in America during the hardest of times, the Great Depression. Many young people were out of work and scraping to get by. This show tells the tale of one such gal “Peggy Sawyer”, played by the incredible talented Nicole-Lily Baisden, who in search of her dream finds herself missing out on an audition for a new Broadway show. But things start to look up when she catches the eye of a big time director, Julian Marsh and Peggy lands herself a role in the chorus line, her dream come true. 

Now I would struggle to tell you the plot of the show they are putting together, but the plot of it isn’t important! Not to anyone ! What matters is that due to an incident with the leading lady Peggy has the chance of a lifetime at her fingertips…will she pull it off ? There’s only one way to know: get down to the Opera house this week to find out! 

42nd Street has graced stages around the world since the 1980s and still it manages to hold everything that is magical about musical theatre firmly in its grasp. I’ve seen this show countless times and still I get goosebumps during the big numbers. This show doesn’t need modernising, it doesn’t need tweaking, it just needs to be watched in all its splendour. The costumes are sublime: they are glitzy and glamorous and transport us back to a bygone era of gentlemen’s waistcoats and pleated trousers and ladies in evening gowns that twinkle in the moonlight. Hair, make up, props: All work together to take us back to a time gone by. 

The cast of this production is the greatest I have seen over the years. The lead characters come together brilliantly on the stage. Samantha Womack as Dorothy Brock is a delight. She’s funny and sassy and my word, can she sing. 

Michael Praed, who plays Julian Marsh, works hard to keep the narrative moving and he creates the pace of the plot with utter professionalism. His performance is flawless in every single way. Faye Tozer and Les Dennis, make for an awesome pairing, they were just so wonderful both together and in their own right. 

And Nicole-Lily Baisden is without a doubt the most energetic, enthusiastic and majestic Peggy Sawyer, that I ever did see. Everything about Baisden screams Broadway. She is the quintessential Peggy Sawyer. 

None of the glitz, glamour, and joyousness would be possible without the hard work of the ensemble. Note perfect, step perfect. Everything perfect. This show is relentless for an ensemble member, it’s upbeat, high impact and takes a hardworking performer to make it look so easy. The choreography is demanding, but this ensemble make it look like it’s all in a days work. 

Everyone should see 42nd Street. It’s got everything. It’s not trying to be something it isn’t. It’s just there to be seen and heard. And this cast make it the most magical 42nd Street that there is. 

If ever there was a show to make you wish you’d learnt how to tap dance – this is most definitely it!! 

42nd Street is on at Manchester’s Opera House until Saturday 21st October tickets available here.