Theatre Review Here & Now Winter Gardens Opera House Blackpool

Last night’s performance of Here & Now, the brand-new jukebox musical built around the iconic songs of Steps, at the Winter Gardens Opera House Blackpool, was an evening filled with nostalgia, energy, and undeniable crowd-pleasing moments. As someone who grew up during the height of Steps mania, I arrived with high expectations—and I was certainly not alone. The theatre was packed with fans of a similar generation, many of whom clearly shared the same excitement, however it was also refreshing to see younger audience members discovering this style of musical for the first time.

Set in a seaside superstore ‘Better Best Bargains’, the story centres on Caz (Lara Denning), looking forward to adopting a child with her husband, Gareth (Chris Grahamson). When Gareth suddenly ends their marriage, her hopes for a perfect future are turned upside down. The musical then follows Caz and her friends Vel (Jaqui Dubois), Neeta (Rosie Singha), and Robbie (Blake Patrick Anderson) as they face love, heartbreak, and the search for happiness during what was meant to be their “Summer of Love.”

From the opening number, the production establishes its intent: to celebrate the music that defined a generation. The songs remain as infectious as ever—toe- tapping, foot-stomping, and hand clappingly fun. Each number is met with visible enthusiasm from the audience, often accompanied by knowing smiles and, at times, restrained singalongs. The musical arrangements stay true to the original tracks while being adapted effectively for the stage, ensuring they feel both familiar and theatrically engaging.

The cast delivers a series of strong performances across the board. Lara Denning, taking centre stage as Caz, is outstanding. She delivers a phenomenal performance, anchoring the show with both emotional depth and vocal strength. Her charisma and commitment elevate the material, even when the script itself lacks substance, making her portrayal a clear standout of the evening. She is supported exceptionally well by Neeta (Rosie Singha) and Robbie (Blake Patrick Anderson), who each brought their own charm and energy to the stage, creating a strong and engaging dynamic between the trio. The male cast also contribute some of the night’s most memorable moments, with bursts of comedy—particularly a hilarious appearance in yellow Lycra during the electricians’ number—and the high-energy “Half Price Hoedown” proving to be real highlights. Equally memorable is a brilliantly executed rendition of “Chain Reaction,” sung to perfection by Jem (River Medway), complete with the inspired and playful addition of light-up washing machines. There is a genuine sense of enjoyment from the entire company, which translates effortlessly to the audience and helps sustain the show’s momentum throughout. Vocally, the principals are consistently impressive, delivering the well-loved songs with confidence, clarity, while also managing to inject their own personality into them.

Supporting these performances is an exceptionally tight and well-rehearsed ensemble. Their energy is consistent throughout, and their precision in both choreography and vocals adds a polished sheen to the production. The choreography by Matt Cole deserves praise for capturing the spirit of Steps’ original routines (especially during the finale) while updating them for a contemporary stage audience. The ensemble plays a crucial role in maintaining the show’s high energy levels, particularly during the larger musical numbers where the stage feels alive with movement.

Visually, the production is a standout. The lighting design (Howard Hudson) is striking—dynamic, colourful, and perfectly in tune with the tone of each number. It enhances the atmosphere without overwhelming the performers, and at times creates genuinely memorable stage pictures. The staging created by Tom Rogers is equally impressive: creative, fluid, and clearly well thought out. Scene transitions are smooth, and the use of space ensures that the production never feels static. Together, the lighting and staging contribute significantly to the overall impact of the show, elevating it beyond what might otherwise be a straightforward jukebox musical.

However, while the musical excels in its presentation and musicality, it does falter in one key area: the story. The narrative feels somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the emotional depth needed to fully engage the audience on a dramatic level. While the plot provides a functional framework to link the songs together, it rarely moves beyond surface-level storytelling. As a result, some moments that aim for emotional resonance fall slightly flat, simply because the audience hasn’t been given enough substance to fully invest in the characters’ journeys. That said, for many in the audience, the strength of the music and the overall experience more than compensates for these shortcomings. Here & Now knows its audience and leans confidently into what makes it appealing: nostalgia, fun, and high-energy entertainment. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the genre but instead delivers exactly what fans of Steps—and jukebox musicals more broadly—are hoping for.

In the end, Here & Now is a vibrant, feel-good production that celebrates the enduring appeal of Steps’ music. While it may not offer the most compelling narrative, its strong performances, slick ensemble work, and stunning visual design make it an enjoyable and memorable night at the theatre. For those who grew up with these songs, it’s a joyful trip down memory lane; for newer audiences, it’s an introduction to a catalogue of music that still knows how to get a crowd on its feet.

https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/here-now-the-steps-musical/

Video of show finale here - https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=e93f36cbaa&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1861977735647292114&th=19d712e2a8f16ad2&view=att&zw&disp=safe&saddbat=ANGjdJ8hC5UrRdTRlx94fEkKsPAMI-aJVm84bt7lyNTtX8xy1SXDEI3Aa6KKxfqMToyG1GDN37ErY2P0dhXtGfFgZqNrl91e3_cZpDanVJ4-DGr5lPDZ7FQYwjDGQdK8mSVInU41LZ00Qb9OltvOEVKAqxBxsmPIg1cpY5ieUKDombdjCQ6QyySfo_kbyINNPM_FMMuiBtEBodfSbankVKzNpSofEo7X_8mfFPB9WsXLw7IqRoUW8ZolcdIqllaBy4BzRlDP_xcxrUDiHED8nHCyn0mxwpGfNl4uZECFKETtqUmfJ_kQ0mOk-_ZzJcKaod-HvPkuh0mVqxiwAgXpuk0Bi3Bf8NuYMO0bo0k2Ylyth5DZ1Rj7oTGoDcpitU_fpLZEu_lAghUWPOczK-uf_7-Ww4T5ls3ok7SJ6EVeHjjFlqv4bmyDtHepkGPNxrmyLhLrHgsGVVsy65IJzizciiwy3dV68j9fz6OknW791fx7WVtCNtHD25LOl9Z82uWeXos2nhjEI3VIPvv8Dc3kAm5_rJXE2d6Draw-X2XVF1xqSuQSLhWGCJ13rr2KVPpdisgZqbPyfsUkTgN5aV5KClOLVJydQuJf4df9vYrRC5Zzifuj9v63c30bUSJL1L-qXids_YPa_h9i9RClAjuQNcfHFyGRWjM2mhPFPvhP9U47hUapcf6eV5SgtDQWGIK-SzykKutgMtiVWaPrqIhxRyrDJ3ABrjCFXGQiCZSjVjCBXxihkHjIkYDaPfIWo0qDzgafjW8YNDWhPNGo5TUylIhiTfTpnRXYeJKnec31rcHS_YY0RTBRyQADsEQh8YG92QKZHjJZCfBRKcQA9AiLPLz_QsHFku60OArzM2ZamFx9rTtl0iSNQuWpcc8u4zGsy1HTwHe1g_MvVWQlL5a5dtKlR1KQMUM8YOz5vK4Sp_gToJGGSnD58BcQhilIuadQu9h50Pju4ZFJyVgyEvNqCiuqTWUc2pl0bn9o9L5_NjLlJtcSEVCwIpNiQNZeBct0O_ENL2AtGtF5tQQtybLzL8aKSEeHvaeRH6iw1qD9ng

Reviewer – Jen O’Beirne

On - 9.4.26