Here and Now Steps Musical at Milton Keynes
Bit of a late review, but here’s my thoughts about my trip to Milton Keynes theatre on the opening night of Here and Now Steps Musical.
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In summary, if you’re expecting deep or high brow, you won’t get that. Like so many jukebox musicals, you’re going to get some laughs, colour, and a lot of reminiscing of 90s Steps songs. I was a big Steps fan back in the day, so I couldn’t resist getting a ticket, especially with the good value opening night discount for ATG card holders.
Playing up to the cheese Here and Now tells the story of Caz, a Better Buy shop worker and her friends. Approaching 50, Caz looks like losing her partner, chance to adopt, her home and also potentially her job. Her friends and colleagues are struggling with love too. A summer pact is made, and we see how the summer rolls on, making plans to gain happiness and fulfilment by the time the summer is over. Albeit with bumps along the way.
The best thing about Here and Now is the music of course. Featuring all the famous Steps songs, from 5,6,7,8 to One for Sorrow, Summer of Love to Deeper Shade of Blue. I was surprised people in the audience managed to keep quiet throughout with no annoying singing audience members (at least near me).
Generally the singing is good, although it did take some of the cast to get past the first song to get into it.
The dancing was really strong from the supporting cast too, with lots of upbeat numbers.
The set was clever and transitions were fairly smooth. With trolleys, shelves and other props, there’s a lot going on to keep you entertained.
There’s plenty of amusing laughs as well as the more poignant moments like Caz singing in memory of her baby was brilliantly sung.
The downside was some of the singers in the first act, in particular the men, were harder to hear over the music. If you’re sensitive to sound, sit further back than the stalls, as even I found the volume very loud.
The plot isnt that strong, and some of the characters I found annoying as they were a bit ‘wet’. But Here and Now the Musical is a good night out, and worth seeing for the music and performances, in particular from the 4 main leads – Lara Denning as Caz, Jacqui Dubois as Vel, Rosie Singha as Neeta and Blake Patrick Anderson as Robbie.
The bows and ‘megamix’ style ending works for the audience every time, and this was a lot of fun and colour with the set and costumes.
Principal cast
- Caz: Lara Denning
- Vel: Jacqui Dubois
- Robbie: Blake Patrick Anderson
- Neeta: Rosie Singha
- Jem: River Medway
- Patricia: Sally Ann Matthews
- Ben: Ben Darcy
- Tracey: Lauren Woolf
- Gareth: Chris Grahamson
- Max: Edward Baker-Duly
- Lesley: John Stacey
For getting Steps songs in a musical, I give it 5/5. For the plot 2. But overall, it’s a fun few hours.
