Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 24 January 2026
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
4****
Get those curtain fringes perfected, hair twists with mini butterfly clips set solid and dust off your tight tops and hipster trouser combo off because Here & Now! The Steps Musical has arrived.
Full of glitter, heartfelt stories and an unapologetic love for all things Steps, it delivers a crowd-pleasing night. Built around the chart-topping catalogue of Steps, the show offers a warm, funny celebration of connection, chosen family and second chances.
Set in a seaside superstore on the brink of closure, we are introduced to a diverse group of work mates , each wrestling with their own hopes and disappointments. Their stories are mainly light, of the heart yet intertwined with sorrow and loss. Giving the audience plenty of reason to invest emotionally before the first key change hits.
Steps hits are woven into the story, often used to reveal character rather than simply give the audience nostalgia . Numbers like “Tragedy” and “Better Best Forgotten” land with comic precision, while the inevitable “5,6,7,8” becomes a joy, whipped into a euphoric frenzy by wonderful choreography and energy.
The cast throw themselves into the show wholeheartedly, with some show-stopping vocals that blew the audience away and more dance routines than you think could be done using what’s on hand in a supermarket! The set is a neon and glittery treat that reminds us how colourful the Steps era was
Here & Now! The Steps Musical offers joy, inclusivity and a great sense of fun. For fans and newcomers alike, it’s a feel-good night. Dancing, bags of ice, love and absolute banging tunes , what more could we need!