By Samuel
The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham is home to this brand-new musical based on Steps smash hit songbook. If you want a feel-good night out and want to be transported back into cheesy 90s pop nostalgia, this musical is for you.
Set in a small coastal town Neeta, Vel, Caz, and Robbie are four friends working in Better Best Bargains a small supermarket along the seafront. Inspired by Caz who is happily partnered and waiting to adopt, they all make a pact to get out there, find romance and squeeze in a summer of love before Caz’s 50th Birthday. Follow this action packed story as they jump over hurdles to find love. Will they take a chance on a happy ending? There is only one way to find out.
Rebecca Lock (Caz McGovern) is the perfect leading lady, it is so refreshing seeing someone older in the lead role of a new musical and she really is the gift that keeps on giving. She takes us on her fast-paced emotional journey as Caz and has the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. One of my highlights was her interpretation of a classic Steps song. She gives an incredibly heartfelt performance singing from the heart bringing the audience to tears. Hiba Elchikhe (Neeta Thakkar) Sharlene Hector (Vel King) Blake Patrick Anderson (Robbie Davies) make up the fab foursome; each one perfectly cast in their role, giving a solid mix of energy and personality. FintyWilliams (Patricia) has some very funny cameos. She pops in and out with some hilariously dodgy English-to-French translations. River Medway (Jem) love interest to Robbie hands down steals the show with an amazing version of Chain Reaction with spinning washing machines, it was worth travelling to Birmingham just for this. Shaun Kitchener’s writing effortlessly links the songs with a few dramatic plot twists along the way keeping us on our toes and as long as you not expecting Shakespeare you’ll have a brilliant night. Rachel Kavanagh’sdirection is clear and concise; Matt Cole takes original band choreo giving it a punchy jazzy glow up. The creative team definitely understood the assignment.
The Steps back catalogue provides the perfect bubblegum pop musical score for the show with all the classics and some newer material from later years. The neon set is fun and cleverly used and the bright vibrant costumes help inject a little more camp into the piece.
Here and Now is everything you would expect from a Steps musical and more. It does exactly what it says on the tin, you will have the best toe-tapping time laughing, crying and dancing. The ultimate steps mega mix at the end of the show is iconic. Get ready to leave the theatre feeling uplifted and ready to party. Booking until 30th Nov and then embarking on a full UK tour kicking off 2nd September in Manchester.
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Sounds and Stage
