Here & Now

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.

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals

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Back for the 4th year the National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals yet again proved the perfect way to beat the January blues and celebrate the wonderful work done by the National Lottery AND the very best of musical theatre.

Superbly hosted by comedian Jason Manford as well as offering performances from some of the hottest West End shows, the event showcased a range of touring productions – some which are headed to Greater Manchester soon.

The show also highlighted the support the National Lottery has given to more than 20,000 theatre-related projects over the last 30 years.

North West theatregoers got to see sneak peaks of some of the touring shows heading our way in 2025 – with exciting peformances from Chicago (Lowry, August), Bat Out of Hell (Palace Theatre, February), Mary Poppins (Palace Theatre, April), Dear Evan Hansen (Palace Theatre, February) and Here & Now – The Official Steps Musical (Opera House, September).

Stand out moments from West End productions included a first look at Marisha Wallace’s Sally Bowles from Cabaret – with Maybe This Times – and a brilliantly bonkers number from the new cult hit Titanique – starring Layton Williams and the brilliant Lauren Drew (you might remember her from starring in Lizzie at Hope Mill Theatre last year).

Perhaps most exciting was the chance to for a first look at the brand-new Disney’s Hercules, which is coming to the West End this summer, with a spectacular performance of ‘Zero to Hero’ and ‘Go The Distance’  from Luke Brady (Hercules) and his fiercely fabulous Muses.

Undoubtedly one of the most moving parts of the evening was when musicals legend Michael Ball made a special appearance, singing a spine-tinglinh rendition of ‘The Impossible Dream’ alongside National Lottery-funded charity, Our Dementia Choir, founded by actress Vicky McClure. It’s not an exaggeration to say the performance moved many audience members to tears.

There was also a beautiful performance of Electricity from Billy Elliot by two youth theatre groups from Stockport and Yorkshire – the young people absolutely did themselves proud.

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals celebrates 30 years of The National Lottery funding theatre and performing arts across the UK and serves to thank players who have helped support theatre-related projects to the tune of £1.3BN. National Lottery funding has helped restore theatres as well as enabling hundreds of performing arts projects.

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will air on BBC One, BBC Radio 2, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds this Spring.