Here & Now: The Steps Musical Comes to Leeds Grand Theatre

April 30, 2026 Off By

The new musical, Here & Now: The Steps Musical, is set to be performed at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 5 May to Sunday 10 May 2026. The production is based on the songs of the British pop group Steps and features a story centred around a group of friends working in a seaside superstore.

About the Musical

Here & Now: The Steps Musical is written by Shaun Kitchener and directed by Rachel Kavanaugh. The show is co-produced by the pop group Steps and incorporates many of their well-known songs into the narrative. The story follows Caz, a woman approaching her 50th birthday, and her friends who work at Better Best Bargains, a seaside superstore. The plot explores themes of friendship, love, personal growth, and the challenges of life.

Main Cast and Characters

Lara Denning stars as Caz, the lead character who experiences a change in her life’s direction. Denning describes Caz as a loyal, warm, and feisty woman with relatable vulnerabilities. Denning has an extensive background in musical theatre, including roles in Sunset Boulevard, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and Matilda.
Jacqui Dubois plays Vel, one of Caz’s best friends and a long-term employee at the store. Dubois highlights Vel’s loyalty and relatability, noting the show’s appeal across generations. Her theatre credits include The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King, and Fame.
Rosie Singha portrays Neeta, described as an optimistic and kind character with a crush on a fellow staff member. Singha emphasises the show’s diversity and representation, noting the presence of South Asian heritage in the cast.
Blake Patrick Anderson plays Robbie, characterised as a playful and commitment-averse store worker who embarks on a journey of love. Anderson was involved in the original cast and workshops and has appeared in productions such as Be More Chill and Rent.
River Medway, known from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, takes on the role of Jem, a customer at Better Best Bargains and Robbie’s love interest who is also a drag queen. Medway highlights the inclusive nature of the show and the representation of different identities.

Musical Numbers and Themes

The musical features many of Steps’ popular songs, including “Better Best Forgotten,” “One For Sorrow,” “Stomp,” “Last Thing on My Mind,” and “Say You’ll Be Mine.” The songs are integrated into the storyline to reflect the characters’ experiences and emotions. The show addresses themes such as making mistakes, friendship, love, and self-discovery, with a nostalgic element for fans of the band.

Tour and Reception

Here & Now: The Steps Musical is currently touring the UK and Ireland. The cast members have expressed enthusiasm about bringing the show to different audiences and locations. Early reactions to the production have been positive, with particular praise for the story and the incorporation of Steps’ music.