Here & Now - musical review

A musical incorporating a Steps back catalog will inevitably be the ultimate camp experience. However, Here & Now provides an entirely new realm for unexpected, fever dream moments, with a side of sparkle to see you through.

Brace yourselves for a supermarket trip like none other when going to shop at Better Best Bargains. With some of the most flamboyant employees you've ever met, the hub for gossip tries to keep its shelves stocked and customers happy, even while figuring out their own way through life. Initially bursting onto the stage to the heart-thumping sound of 'Stomp', this sets the scene for the constant injections of energy in the immense tracklist paired with Matt Cole's slick, electric choreography. Making up the dream team, four besties - Caz, Vel, Neeta and Robbie - start a pact to have less of a 'Tragedy', and more of a 'Summer of Love'.

From the get-go, audiences are in for a wild ride through a mirage of questionable artistic choices. If you're looking for a sophisticatedly formulated piece of traditional theatre, this couldn't be further away. However, as a Steps fan, or in search of upbeat, joyous thrill of an escape, Here & Now can provide. Leading the way, Lara Denning steps into Caz's character with vigour. Beginning by establishing the plotpoint that she is longing to adopt after baby loss, it seems as if this may be a driving point for the story. In reality, we dabble in chaos, among the dysfunctional relationship between Vel (Jacqui Dubois) and Lesley (John Stacey), Neeta (Rosie Singha) being awkwardly afraid to admit her crush to Ben (Ben Darcy), and Robbie (Blake Patrick Anderson) being a serial dater with daddy issues. Not to forget the stern and sassy boss, Patricia (Sally Ann Matthews) breaking into French mid sentence. Delivery driver Tracey (Lauren Woolf), Gareth (Chris Grahamson) and Max (Edward Baker-Duly) each play their own important roles too, but will leave their explanations to those who see the show, much of which is only revealed at the end!

Within this, best believe there are dancing washing machines, a flashmob of electricians, the pineapple of destiny, a drag act appearing out of a freezer (River Midway as Jem - iconic) and singing in an industral bin, to name just a few. All of the above illustrates deceit, conflict, love, belonging and such other themes in a way that loosely explores these, through a script that expresses vibrancy over any deeper meaning. Mixing genuine hilarity with an utter disbelief at what is being witnessed is a pretty great feat in itself, especially when backed with such hits.

There's no chicken-and-egg scenario here at all with the tracks, shown through the outbursts into song after their blatant set up, for example, the half price hoedown... an easy segway into '5, 6, 7, 8'. Then, an elite Act 2 opener - bet you can't guess what it is, with the clue of a dramatic turn of events occurring before the interval! Others are also embedded amusingly, with their lyrics fitting surprisingly well: 'Last Thing On My Mind' being one of these. However, the overall tone of the piece does mean that despite her best efforts, characterisation, and incredible vocal work, the emotion behind Lara Denning's solo endeavours such as 'One For Sorrow', are not able to flourish to the extent they deserve.

Tom Rogers' set with Howard Hudson's lighting arrangements are visually appealing throughout to assist direction by Rachel Kavanaugh and complement the work of renowned creative, Gabriella Slade, who designed the costumes. With an audience like the Curve - fully, and loudly, invested in every ounce of the show - there are gasps, boos, and cheers and each unpredictable twist and turn.

Powered purely on vibes, Here & Now is a totally random collection of pure entertainment. Immensely fun in nature, the Steps megamix to end will live on long in your memory, as the nostalgic earworms are irresistible.