Theatre Royal Brighton – 2nd-13th December 2025
Here and Now: The Steps Musical arrives at Theatre Royal Brighton with the confidence of a show that knows exactly why the audience is here. It leans fully into the joy of the Steps songbook and the warmth of nostalgia, yet it still tries to shape a story that works beyond its playlist.
This musical uses the music of UK pop group Steps, whose songs actually work surprisingly well in a story setting. The lyrics have more emotional depth than many people might remember, giving the show a touch of heart as well as all the pop fun. It has a little of that Mamma Mia spirit but with a very British twist.
The plot centres around a group of supermarket staff and customers who are all dealing with their own crossroads, from interrupted romances to wavering confidence and the quiet ache of wanting something more from life. It’s pretty light on complexity, but it is not trying to be weighty drama. The story is a sturdy frame for the songs, and in most moments, that’s enough.
At the centre of it all is Lara Denning as Caz, who anchors the show with an amazing vocal performance that lifts every scene. She brings enough emotional weight to ground the lighter moments of the plot. Her belting is confident without ever feeling forced, showcased beautifully in Heartbeat and Tragedy.
Jacqui Dubois brings warmth and grace to Vel, her velvety tone adding an easy richness to each number. Rosie Singha is effortlessly charming as Neeta, a playful presence with a crystal clear voice that cuts beautifully through the ensemble sound. Blake Patrick Anderson gives Robbie a mix of strength and vulnerability that makes his journey surprisingly affecting, and his vocals hold up impressively in both quieter moments and bigger pop driven numbers.
River Medway steals their scenes as Jem, delivering one of the wildest highlights of the night with Chain Reaction, complete with dazzling costume changes and disco ball washing machines. It is completely bonkers but they totally make it work.
The music itself is obviously the star. The arrangements stay close to the originals but add theatrical shape, giving room for harmony and character-driven work. The sing-along temptation is very real, though most hold off until the finale. Fans of Steps won’t be disappointed, but even those who come in with only casual familiarity can appreciate the strong melodic hooks.
The choreography plays with the iconic Steps routines without becoming a tribute act. It nods knowingly to the trademark moves but reshapes them enough to keep things fresh, which helps the show feel more than a nostalgia pull.
What sets Here and Now apart is its warmth. There is an earnestness to it that is surprisingly touching. Beneath the shine and sparkle, there’s a simple message about connection, friendship and taking small brave steps toward happiness. The characters may be broad but they are played with genuine feeling.
The supermarket setting might sound like an odd choice until you see how cleverly the production team turns fluorescent aisles and stacked boxes into a busy world where personal dramas can simmer behind the chillers. The staging is bright and busy without feeling chaotic. Scene changes slip smoothly in and out, helped by a strong ensemble that moves with tight precision.
As the finale kicks in, the auditorium lifts and gives a deserved standing ovation. It’s the moment the audience has been waiting for, a chance to clap, sing and dance along to a Steps megamix. The cast seems to love it as much as the crowd, giving the curtain call an infectious sense of celebration.
Here and Now isn’t a perfect musical, but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable one that understands the value of fun, walking the line between cheeky nostalgia and sincere storytelling with confidence, and Brighton welcomes it with open arms.
Here and Now: The Steps Musical review – 5 stars
Photo credit – Pamela Raith
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