HERE AND NOW

Manchester Opera House

★★★★

“unapologetically itself and dares us to follow suit”

‘Here & Now, the Steps Musical’, is a glittering, high-energy homage to Steps and love in its many fabulous forms. Campy, clever, and hilariously self-aware, it’s post-Brexit Britain’s answer to Mamma Mia! The plot might feel a little ‘Better Best Forgotten’ at times but underneath lies a heartfelt celebration of self-love and acceptance that everyone can ‘Stomp’ to.

This summer, four friends – Caz, Vel, Neeta, and Robbie – decide there’s more to life than working at ‘Better Best Bargains’. Swearing on the ‘pineapple of destiny’, they vow to find love before Caz turns 50. Things get messy quickly and betrayal threatens to turn their ‘One for Sorrow’ into four. Luckily the ‘pineapple of destiny’ – and a little heart – saves the day, reminding them that true love comes from within.

Shaun Kitchener’s book refuses to take itself too seriously, flashing decidedly self-deprecating wit. Set in a gloriously unglamorous supermarket, it mixes heartfelt moments with hilariously absurd scenes – such as lovers flirting over a giant bin. It’s grounded (everyone sacks off work to drink in a park) and fantastical (shoppers tear around the happiest supermarket in the world) and you just want to lean in. However, this jukebox musical’s plot is predictably thin. Act 1 ping-pongs glancingly around some heavy themes. Act 2 has more emotional weight but the characters remain under-developed, especially our lead Caz who bafflingly reconnects with a man who lies about wanting children (!). With a little polish, the story could truly sing.

That said, Rachel Kavanaugh’s direction understands the assignment, appealing to Steps fans and the LGBTQIA+ community while offering something for everyone. Expertly timed scene cut-offs lean into the unserious tone, colour palettes evoke different pride flags, and the frozen (aisle) inspired drag extravaganza is a showstopper. The large ensemble feels busy at points but adds much-needed vitality to the huge stage.

Matt Spencer-Smith’s musical supervision and arrangements and Musical Director Georgia Rawlins’ interpretation blend Steps’ huge pop hits almost seamlessly into this new setting. Though almost every plot point is embellished with a song, which isn’t necessary. Also, closing with ‘Here and Now’ is an interesting choice – it’s one of Steps’ more emotionally mature hits, but is ultimately less well known and less energetic. The final megamix is a great save, but the story deserves a stronger conclusion.

Matt Cole’s choreography strikes a refreshing balance between referencing Steps’ iconic moves and offering something new. The ensemble nails the complex group dances, though the more static principal routines sometimes draw the eye.

Set design (Tom Rogers) centres around a large supermarket façade, with moveable pieces and clever lighting transporting us elsewhere when necessary. I love the constant rearranging of checkout aisles and trolleys, keeping the layout fresh. The lighting design (Howard Hudson) is dynamic, bold and slick. An assortment of bright rainbow colours snap to supermarket fluorescent white, before easing into deeper moments. Costume design (Gabriella Slade) brings the supermarket uniform to life by mixing up the colours and patterns according to the mood. Denim and iron on patches evoke the late 1990s and the drag moment is a stroke of genius. Wigs and hair (Sam Cox) and make up design (Jackie Saundercock) add pops of colour while carefully representing each character.

The cast brings so much passion and heart. Rebecca Lock’s Caz blows us away with her powerhouse vocals and remains endearing despite the relatively thin material. Blake Patrick Anderson’s Robbie and Ben Darcy’s Ben command the stage in their smaller but no less arresting roles, showcasing effortless tenor voices to boot. River Medway gives a stunning performance as Jem, deservedly stopping the show. Rosie Singha gives her shy girl next door, Neeta, some welcome vocal power. Albert Green cuts through the chorus with some fantastically sharp dancing.

‘Here & Now, the Steps Musical’ is unapologetically itself and dares us to follow suit. Though the plot and characters are a little flimsy, the knockout performances, irreverent self-awareness, laugh-out-loud moments and driving score will have you dancing in the (supermarket) aisles!

HERE AND NOW

Manchester Opera House then UK Tour continues

Reviewed on 4th September 2025

by Hannah Bothelton

Photography by Pamela Raith

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HERE AND NOW

★★★★★

“joyful, energetic and hilarious, with some moments of real tenderness and yearning”

I admit to being unsure if Sue Townsend’s geeky Mole would translate well as a piece of musical theatre, and I’m happy to say that my scepticism was unfounded. The show is joyful, energetic and hilarious, with some moments of real tenderness and yearning that bring a tear to the eye. It is a piece that truly reflects the time in which it was written and is set, the early 80s. There are lots of references that older audience members clearly enjoyed; Pebble Mill at One, Malcolm Muggeridge and, of course, the Royal Wedding. And it matters not at all that the younger ones don’t pick up on those moments; the lives of Adrian and his friends and family have plenty for everyone to relate to and enjoy.

The children’s parts are each played by a rotating cast of four. Adrian was played by Rufus Kampa this evening, and the huge applause and standing ovation he received were richly deserved. His Adrian had all the awkwardness and angst of Townsend’s much loved young teen, coping with his parent’s awful marriage and break up and discovering himself as an intellectual with a passion for the feisty, pretty new girl at school – Pandora. And Rebecca Nardin’s Pandora was pitch perfect; the flame that called to Adrian’s moth, sparkling, feisty and very funny. Her voice has a range and depth that are unusual in such a young performer, and she has a wonderful comedic instinct. Jeremiah Davan Waysome played Adrian’s friend, and rival for Pandora’s attention, Nigel with a lovely cheeky energy and the school bully, Barry, was made suitably odious by Jack Gale.

The adults in the cast also play children, and were clearly having a lot of fun doing so. The poignant moments between Adrian’s parents, Pauline and George, played by Amy Ellen Richardson and Andrew Langtree, were beautifully moving, and Richardson’s song ‘Perfect Mother’ was so full of sadness and regret that it hurt. ‘How Could You?’ a painful and powerful argument between Pauline and Grandma allowed both women to let rip with passion, a serious and intense moment, and a reflection of many such a confrontation from the real world. Rosemary Ashe’s Grandma is, by turns, fun, interfering and helpful to Adrian and his Dad, and she brings verve and a fabulous voice to the role. Ian Talbot gave a good turn as the grumpy communist Bert and Laura Denning clearly relishes hamming it up to just the right degree as Miss Elf and Doreen Slater. The final member of the adult cast is John Hopkins, and he somehow managed to strut, bluster and give a storming performance that was always just on the right side of overacting. His vile Mr Scruton, the headmaster, was a great, bombastic villain, and the sleazy lothario, Mr Lucas from next door, was just deliciously awful.

Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary first wrote the book, music and lyrics in 2012, when they were ‘a pair of naive twenty four year olds.’ They met Sue Townsend and she was so impressed that she sold them the rights for a pound. She was worried that the story may be dated but, as Brunger and Cleary explained to her; ‘Despite the internet and mobile phones and all those terribly modern things, spots were still spots, school was still school, and boys still measured their things.” Director Luke Sheppard has translated their vision into a show that bounces with life and allows the early eighties to exist without trying to alter things for our contemporary sensibilities.

There is some inspired and very funny, choreography from Rebecca Howell and Mark Collins and the musicians do a great job with the score. The lighting design, by Howard Hudson, is unusual and effective and Tom Rogers’ set is an evocative, flexible home for the action. I found myself humming ‘Misunderstood’ on the way to the tube. This show has some good tunes too! The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical is an excellent adaptation vividly brought to life by an outstanding cast

Reviewed by Katre

Photography by Pamela Raith

HERE AND NOW

Manchester Opera House

★★★★

“unapologetically itself and dares us to follow suit”

HERE AND NOW

Manchester Opera House then UK Tour continues

Reviewed on 4th September 2025

by Hannah Bothelton

Photography by Pamela Raith

Recently reviewed by Hannah:

HERE AND NOW

HERE AND NOW

HERE AND NOW

Ambassadors Theatre

Reviewed – 3rd July 2019

★★★★★

“joyful, energetic and hilarious, with some moments of real tenderness and yearning”

Reviewed by Katre

Photography by Pamela Raith

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical

Ambassadors Theatre until 12th October

Last ten shows covered by this reviewer:

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