Last night, Manchester Opera House became a wonderful pink time machine. For a couple of glorious hours, I was transported straight back to the late 90s and early noughties, wrapped up in the infectious, feel-good soundtrack of Steps. In a world that feels heavy with division and frustration, a night of glitter, camp, and unapologetic pink sparkle was exactly the tonic I didn’t know I needed. Few shows manage to deliver such pure, unfiltered joy, and Here & Now does it in abundance.

The Story Behind the Glitter

Here & Now was born from a long-standing passion project for Steps and their creative team. The goal: to take the band’s greatest hits and reimagine them in a fresh, story-driven production. The result is a jukebox musical that feels both nostalgic and unexpectedly poignant.

The action unfolds in Better Best Bargains, a seaside supermarket where four colleagues are each chasing something more. Caz (Rebecca Lock) dreams of adopting a child before her milestone 50th birthday. Vel (Jacqui Dubois) longs to leave a stale relationship behind. Neeta (Rosie Singha) gathers the courage to confess her feelings to her workplace crush, Ben. And Robbie (Blake Patrick Anderson) wrestles with the idea of opening himself up to love.

Together, they pledge to seek out their own “Summer of Love.” But when Caz’s life turns upside down, threatening her adoption hopes, the story takes a tender turn. What follows is a tale of resilience, heartbreak, friendship, and redemption, woven together by the unforgettable soundtrack of Steps.

Here & Now Is A Glittering Rollercoaster of Emotion

I’ll admit, as the curtain rose, I wasn’t convinced. I’m not usually a fan of tongue-in-cheek comedy. Yet within minutes, I was won over. The warmth of the characters, their stories, and the razor-sharp wit had me hooked.

This is more than just a camp spectacle; it’s a kaleidoscope of life’s ups and downs, told with humour, heart, and a lot of sequins. The production embraces imperfection, showing how friendships and resilience can carry us through the darkest moments. It’s colourful, playful, touching, and utterly joyous. The set bursts with energy, the choreography is dynamic, and the cast gives performances brimming with heart.

The Soundtrack of a Generation

Of course, the soul of Here & Now lies in the music. Steps’ hits aren’t just dropped in—they’re carefully threaded into the narrative, giving them new meaning while retaining all their nostalgic punch. From Tragedy and One for Sorrow to 5, 6, 7, 8, Stomp, Deeper Shade of Blue and Chain Reaction, the show is one big love letter to the band’s catalogue.

By the time the megamix finale arrived, the entire audience was on its feet, singing and dancing without restraint. And when Steps themselves appeared for a one-off cameo, the atmosphere reached fever pitch, theatre walls rattled with cheers and applause.

Here & Now is More Than a Musical

It’s a celebration of friendship, diversity, and resilience, all wrapped up in glitter and set to one of pop’s most joyful soundtracks. In a world that so often feels bleak, this show is a reminder that sometimes, all you need is two hours of camp, colour, and classic Steps to bring a smile that lasts long after the curtain falls.

Where Can I See Here And Now

Here & Now is playing at the Opera House, Manchester, Tue 2 Sep – Sat 13 Sep 2025 and then at……..

• King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 16 Sep – Sat 20 Sep 2025
• New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Tue 14 Oct – Sat 18 Oct 2025
• New Wimbledon Theatre, Tue 4 Nov – Sun 9 Nov 2025
• Liverpool Empire, Tue 25 Nov – Sat 29 Nov 2025
• Theatre Royal Brighton, Tue 2 Dec – Sat 13 Dec 2025
• Stockton Globe, Mon 15 Dec – Sun 28 Dec 2025
• Grand Opera House York, Tue 10 Feb – Sun 15 Feb 2026
• New Theatre Oxford, Tue 17 Feb – Sun 22 Feb 2026
• Edinburgh Playhouse, Tue 24 Feb – Sun 1 Mar 2026
• Milton Keynes Theatre, Tue 31 Mar – Sat 4 Apr 2026

Disclaimer: I was gifted the tickets for review purposes. However, all opinions are my own. Check out where to park near the Opera House Manchester.