Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre - "Here & Now - The Steps Musical (Manchester Opera House, UK & Ireland Tour) - ★★★★ REVIEW"

Host: Mickey Jo (MickeyJoTheatre)
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Episode Focus: Detailed review of the UK tour production "Here and Now" – a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Steps.

Overview: Main Theme and Purpose

Mickey Jo delivers a lively, thorough review of "Here and Now," the new jukebox musical built around the hits of the late-90s/early-2000s pop group Steps. Having seen both the Birmingham premiere and the Manchester opening, Mickey Jo discusses the show's premise, highlights, limitations, and its overall appeal—especially to fans of catchy pop, camp, and accessible theatre.

“We're not telling the story of Steps as a group. They do not feature as characters. They are not even acknowledged. It is theoretically possible that within the world of this show, Steps never existed.” – Mickey Jo [03:34]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Structure and Style of Here and Now

• Here and Now is more akin to "Mamma Mia!" than "Jersey Boys"—it uses Steps’ songs to serve an original story unrelated to the band itself.
• The show centers around four friends who work at "Better Best Bargains," a supermarket. Each is on a journey to find personal happiness, love, and fulfillment.
  • Kaz: Turning 50, hoping to adopt a child with her husband, and encourages her friends to go after their own happiness.
  • Vel: Facing the reality of her unfulfilling relationship.
  • Nita: Young, shy, and saving for art school—struggling to confess her feelings to a coworker.
  • Robbie: A gay man dealing with internalized shame and commitment issues.
• The narrative is light, camp, and leans heavily into the aesthetic of Steps—bright, pastel, visually playful.

“It’s pastels, it’s pinks, it’s blues, it’s bright, it’s vibrant. ... it’s glittery, it’s poppy, it’s fun, and it’s light.” – [08:14]

2. Integration of Steps’ Music & Brand

• Steps songs drive the plot, mostly concerning relationships, love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and friendship.
• The musical includes clever visual gags and references to Steps’ discography & choreography:
  • Supermarket aisles labeled "five, six, seven, eight" as a nod to Steps' hit “5,6,7,8.”
  • Fan-favourite moves and choreo sprinkled throughout.
  • “There's a megamix on the end… it works very well here.” – [12:23]

3. Song Utilization and Adaptation

• Almost all Steps hits are included, covering both classic and newer material.
• Songs are kept mostly in their original form, with few lyric changes, unlike other jukebox hits like "Mamma Mia!"
• While this is a treat for Steps purists, it sometimes hampers dramatic integration.
  • “I do sort of wish that we could rework the material as much as Mamma Mia seemed willing to do…” – [19:37]
• Notable numbers include inventive, contextually reimagined renditions, such as:
  • "Heartbeat" transformed from a love song into a song about loss and parental grief.
  • Mash-ups (e.g., “Tragedy” with “What the Future Holds”) to reflect dramatic moments.

4. Themes: Queerness & Representation

• Strong LGBTQ+ presence; reflects Steps' fanbase and the writer’s intention.
• Includes:
  • Central queer characters (e.g., Robbie’s journey).
  • A drag queen character, Amanda Smooch (River Medway), and playful, camp moments.
  • “It’s very fitting that there is earnest and genuine, charming queer representation within here and now.” – [15:03]

5. Strengths of the Production

• High-energy, campy fun: “It is more than a little bit camp... playful... a Happy Meal of a musical.” – [12:50]
• Accessible storyline with relatable, working-class characters.
• Moments of emotional depth, particularly Kaz’s story of loss.

6. Shortcomings and Criticisms

• Song Adaptation Issues:
  • Some songs are hard to stage as solos; the original music’s distribution (for a five-member group) creates “range and intensity” challenges when covered as solos (e.g., “Love’s Got a Hold on My Heart”).
  • Opportunities missed for re-orchestration/diverse arrangements.
• Narrative Weaknesses:
  • Some potentially strong plot moments happen offstage, robbing the audience of dramatic payoff.
  • “We just hear about the emotional fallout…” – [28:41]
  • At times, character choices or revelations arrive a bit late, making motivations less clear.
• Camp Going Overboard:
  • Occasional tonal clashes, such as abrupt shifts into serious drama (Kaz’s loss).

7. Performance Highlights

• Rebecca Locke (Kaz):
  • Heart, honesty, and incredible vocals: “She is such an extraordinary talent... She gives this show a real beauty by meeting this material with such honesty and warmth and vulnerability and heart and wit. She is so funny.” – [31:21]
• Blake Patrick Anderson (Robbie):
  • Charismatic, with deeper moments revealed later in the show.
• Jackie Dubois (Vel):
  • Solid, though Mickey Jo recalls Charlene Hector’s previous, standout vocal performance in the role.
• Rosie Singer (Nita):
  • Youthful, charming energy; a voice with potential for more exposed moments.
• River Medway (Amanda Smooch):
  • Delivers comedic, drag-infused scenes; “a great comic delivery of deadpan lines.” [31:56]
• Finty Williams (Patricia):
  • Scene-stealing supermarket manager—campy, tyrannical, and hilarious.

“Finty Williams as Patricia… is this sort of tyrannical presence in this elaborate pink and blue outfit … absolute diva played brilliantly well … scene stealing stuff and a big contributor to the overall tone of the show...” – [33:30]

8. Direction and Choreography

• Directed by Rachel Kavanagh—now slicker and more pacey since the Birmingham premiere.
• Matt Cole’s choreography: “If you don't know Matt Cole's work from the likes of Newsies, then you should know that we are dancing, dancing with a capital D...” [36:23]
• Design by Gabriella Slade: hyper-saturated, pop candy aesthetic.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the central appeal:

  “It’s a fun, camp, charming, sweet and upbeat night out… Sometimes a Happy Meal is exactly what you need, and sometimes you want a musical that feels like a Happy Meal.” – [12:47]

• On song-context creativity:

  “I really like about jukebox musicals... when the writer will pay attention to these lyrics and consider a new context that would bring out even more from this material than, you know, the original interpretation. That is where you're going to find the really winning moments.” – [17:28]

• On queer community representation:

  “Their fans are hugely important to them and they understand the presence of the LGBTQ community within their fan base.... it’s fitting, it’s very fitting that there is earnest and genuine, charming queer representation within here and now.” – [15:02]

• On camp & tone:

  “The vibe of Here and Now – it’s like going out for drinks with friends you haven’t seen together in six months. It’s also like taking your eccentric aunt shopping in Poundland.” – [35:33]

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 01:32 | Review begins – Intro, overview of Steps & show | | 03:34 | Original story & character breakdown | | 08:00 | Set and camp aesthetic, Steps references | | 12:23 | Fan interaction, choreography, megamix | | 14:00 | Song selection, depth in lyric adaptation | | 15:00 | Queer representation & cast diversity | | 17:28 | Song-contextual creativity, moving moments | | 19:37 | Song adaptation limitations compared to Mamma Mia| | 22:30 | Criticism: song key & arrangement difficulties | | 25:30 | Drag numbers, staging observations | | 28:41 | Weakness: off-stage events, narrative flow | | 31:17 | Praise for leading performances | | 33:30 | Scene stealers: Finty Williams and ensemble | | 36:23 | Direction, choreography, and summing up |

Final Thoughts

“Here and Now” delivers exactly what a Steps musical promises—pure pop escapism, infectious energy, queer celebration, and a hearty dose of camp, with well-cast leads and dynamic choreography. While it sidesteps deeper character study and at times struggles with song adaptation, it’s a memorable, joyous night at the theatre—especially for the devoted Steps fanbase and newcomers seeking an entertaining, accessible musical experience.

“It is more or less exactly what you're expecting it to be when you hear: musical featuring the songs of Steps.” – [35:43]

Recommendation: If you love Steps, jukebox musicals, or just want a bright, fun night out, catch “Here and Now” as it tours the UK!