Review of Here and Now at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham at star-studded press night featuring celebrities and surprise performance by band members Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans and Ian “H” Watkins.
Steps used the press night of their new musical Here and Now in Birmingham to announce a UK and Ireland tour from August 2025. Tickets are now on sale for the Steps musical here.
But if you can’t wait, there’s still time to see the show in Brum at The Alexandra until November 30 for an early Christmas party feel. Tickets cost from £13 here.
Here’s what you can expect from Here and Now musical, which was watched by celebrities from Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood to pop producer Pete Waterman at the VIP night on Tuesday November 19.
Set in a supermarket, the show follows a motley crew of lovable characters as they pledge to have a ‘Summer of love’. Each facing their own dilemmas, it’s a show packed with romance, comedy and most importantly hit after hit from Steps’ back catalogue.
It’s a feel-good jukebox musical where the songs and dance routines take precedence and are comically wedged into the storyline. You can’t help but giggle at how the Better Best Bargains supermarket has a hoe down special so that the cast can sing track 5,6,7,8.
Along the way there’s songs from Deeper Shade Of Blue to Tragedy, Better Best Forgotten, One For Sorrow and many more. Many of the audience were itching to get up and dance but asked to wait until a singalong finale when they could party.
Steps know their audience well and the storyline features a range of love stories including one with a drag queen – River Medway from the third series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – and other members of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a celebration of being true to yourself and following your heart.
A strong cast has been picked for their voices especially leads Rebecca Lock as Caz and Sharlene Hector as Vel, who do justice to Steps’ hits. There’s plenty of dancers too with nods to those many famous routines from the band’s pop videos and appearances on Top Of The Pops.
Steps fans will have enjoy plenty of in-jokes and extras to spot. A staff room poster even features a small Mona Lisa Scott-Lee painting created by Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett.
One thing’s for sure, you’ll leave the theatre with a huge smile after this stepsational, fun, feel-good musical.
The UK tour from 2025-2026 will stop off in cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton and will be back in the Midlands at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from March 10 to 14 in 2026. See the Here and Now tour website here for the full list of dates and ticket information.