Review: HERE & NOW, New Wimbledon Theatre

Here & Now arrived at New Wimbledon Theatre this week with all the sparkle, nostalgia and high-camp energy you’d expect from a show built around the hits of one of Britain’s most beloved pop groups, Steps. Set in a seaside supermarket, the musical blends tongue-in-cheek humour with heartfelt moments, delivering a production that’s equal parts fun, flamboyance and genuine warmth. With a clever book by Shaun Kitchener and direction from Rachel Kavanaugh, it captures the feel-good spirit of Steps while finding its own theatrical identity.

Rather than relying solely on the familiarity of its soundtrack, Here & Now builds a surprisingly charming world inside the fictional Better Best Bargains supermarket. The story follows four co-workers – Caz (Rebecca Lock), Vel (Jacqui Dubois), Neeta (Rosie Singha) and Robbie (Blake Patrick Anderson) as they navigate friendship, love and life’s disappointments, with a pact to make the most of their summer. It’s a simple premise, but it gives the show just enough structure to connect its catalogue of pop hits with a sense of character and heart.

Kitchener’s writing strikes a balance between camp comedy and sincerity. The humour is broad and self-aware but the emotional beats still land. Themes of loss, self-acceptance and rekindled connection are woven through the glitter and choreography, ensuring the show never feels like a mere jukebox cash-in. Kavanaugh’s direction keeps the tone buoyant, maintaining an easy flow between laughter with occasional moments of tenderness.

The supermarket set is bright and colourful, brimming with visual jokes and clever design touches. Lighting design and projection add a slick, concert-like polish, while Matt Cole’s choreography reimagines Steps’ signature moves with flair and originality. Iconic numbers such as 5,6,7,8, Tragedy, and One for Sorrow are given a new life and are cleverly integrated into the story. A standout moment comes when One for Sorrow is reinterpreted as a stripped-back ballad.

The cast delivers across the board. Rebecca Lock as Caz, brilliantly combining sharp comic timing with genuine vulnerability, while Dubois, Singha and Anderson all inject infectious energy into every scene. River Medway as Jem brings one of the biggest laughs of the night, turning Chain Reaction into a glorious spectacle that had the audience going wild. The chemistry among the cast feels authentic, and their sheer enjoyment radiates from the stage.

If there are minor shortcomings, they lie in the predictability of the storyline but overall, it’s a confident, joyous celebration of music, friendship and fun.

Here & Now delivers exactly what it promises, a night of exuberant escapism, packed with pop hits. It’s colourful, camp, and utterly charming. Whether you’re a lifelong Steps fan or simply in need of a good night out, this musical will leave you smiling, singing and unable to get those classic Steps songs out of your head.

Here & Now is at New Wimbledon Theatre until 9 November, then touring until May 2026