When I first saw Here & Now back in 2024, the show was new, untested and fresh for criticism. It was unashamedly a jukebox show and the critics were ready to pull it apart.
However it not only managed to fend off the bad reviews, it had praise heaped upon it for being the feel-good smash hit we all needed...and in 2026, as it's mid way through a UK tour, that enthusiasm for 90s pop shows no signs of stopping!
Here & Now is based in a seaside superstore; Better Best Bargains, and follows the story of Caz, who discovers that the shelves of the store are stocked with lies and betrayal and the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy - all pun's intended!
Back in 2024, the show played to a theatre filled with invited guests, paying audience members and the band themselves - so the stage was set for a great evening but with an audience who are primed for a positive outcome. This time round, Here & Now is on its own - but it managed to prove itself and captured Wolverhampton under its spell!
Here & Now remains a beautifully constructed riot of colour, fun and music from the first beat to the very last bar.
This show is unashamedly camp, brash and in your face and every member of the audience was absolutely there for it. The laughs, applause and camaraderie was palpable and created an unbeatable atmosphere.
The first point of congratulation has to go to Shaun Kitchener who wrote the book, and what a brilliant job he's done. Here & Now takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster with belly laughs coupled with tears and that's predominantly down to Kitchener's funny, clever and elegant script.
This musical is as hilarious as it is heart-warming and it hits all of the right notes effortlessly. Whilst it's absolutely down to the cast to deliver what's on the page, Kitchener should be applauded for giving them the tools to do that so well.
Talking of the cast, they are very much the backbone of the show - and what a slick, well choreographed bunch they are - and one who seem to be having the time of their lives on stage.
Jacqui Dubois, Rosie Singha and Blake Patrick Anderson take on the roles of Vel, Neeta and Robbie respectively and are just brilliant. This is a story about camaraderie and solidarity and you could feel the energy and see the chemistry between the trio.
However, for me, the night belonged to Lara Denning who was, quite simply, world class.
The audience was a real mix of generations - primarily kids of the 90s who were reliving their childhood, but also younger people who might have heard a few songs and older age groups who were the parents of the Steps generation. What Denning managed to do this evening was unite all three generations together with a stunning vocal performance.
Her rendition of One For Sorrow was a stand-out moment with silences that allowed you to hear the tears flowing in the auditorium. What Denning did with that song vocally was incredible and I could happily listen to it over and over and never get bored.
In fact, talking of music Here & Now has a predictably brilliant soundtrack with some incredibly strong arrangements. The show takes a cross section of some of Steps' biggest hits and re-jigs them to fit the show.
The narrative weaves lyrics into the characters lines and immaculately hypes up the auditorium who erupt into applause almost spontaneously after each track. Iconic dance routines are sacrificed, with the ensemble instead taking inspiration and incorporating some of the moves (you can't sing Tragedy without the hands, right?!) but this isn't a Steps gig on stage.
Equally, whilst some of the songs are big dance numbers there are also a handful which are stripped back to just a voice and single instrument and that really exposes the lyrics of the songs and the storytelling nature of so many of them.
Songs you'd never normally give a second thought to whilst you do the hand movements at a gig, or when you hear them on the radio - but when a show deconstructs Heartbeat and aligns it to a story about baby loss, you very quickly realise the poignancy of the words and they take on a very different meaning.
Here & Now is a masterclass in jukebox musical theatre and not just a show for Steps fans, it's a show for anyone who loves the genre and should definitely be one on your to do list.
Here & Now plays at Wolverhampton Grand until 15th March 2026. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk.
