Hit pop band stepping out into musical genre

STEPS 'THRILLED' THEIR SONGS ARE NOW A STAGE SHOW

- By ANDY PHILLIPS

A NEW musical weaving the songs of hit band Steps around a fictional tale of supermarket workers is on its way to Theatre Royal Plymouth - and it would be a real tragedy if you missed it.

The pop quintet might have formally split in 2001, but they have come back together to oversee the production of the musical Here and Now which has already embarked on a UK and Ireland tour to rave reviews.

At a recent press event in Manchester attended by The Herald, the group explained how it has taken almost a decade to transform the fictional tale of workers at Better Best Bargains - a book written by Steps fan Shaun Kitchener - into a dazzling jukebox musical.

The band, who made music history with 14 consecutive UK top-5 singles, including two number ones, even returned to the stage themselves to promote the show, putting on a Steps 'mega mix' after the musical's final act.

But fans will have to wait until March 24-29 next year to see them in Plymouth, though it will also show at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro from March 17-22.

All five original members of the band - Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian 'H' Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee - attended the Manchester press event, and revealed their excitement at seeing their music performed in an entirely new format.

Claire said: "We've been talking about this for a very long time... it's probably been about eight years, eight to 10 years in the making. So to actually get it on stage and get it on tour, so it's very exciting."

Welsh singer 'H' explained the basis of the story, set in a seaside town, which forms the backbone of the musical.

He said: "It's a discount store at a seaside resort, and it's a store that we're all familiar with - there are lots of colourful characters, there are lots of real people with real situations and dilemmas, and there are a group of four friends that embark on their summer of love.