DANCING IN THE AISLES

DIANNE BOURNE SPEAKS TO THE MEMBERS OF STEPS ABOUT THE GROUP'S STAGE SHOW WHICH FEATURES A HOST OF THEIR BIGGEST HITS AND IS SET IN A SEASIDE STORE

- 

FRESH from rave reviews on its premiere run in Birmingham, it's time for Manchester audiences to get a slice of colourful pop fun with the arrival of Steps musical Here and Now.

All five members of the reunited band - Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Ian 'H' Watkins and Lisa Scott-Lee - have worked on the new show which now heads to Manchester ahead of a full UK and Ireland tour this year.

The show features a host of the band's biggest hits, weaved around a new story that sees a cast of characters working in a seaside superstore.

Steps said Manchester was the natural next stop for the show, thanks to their hardcore fans based in the city.

Speaking to the M.E.N. at the launch of the show, Faye said: "From the moment we started talking about this idea 7 years ago, to where it's come to today with the incredible writers, creative team, we've got award-winning writers and directors, we are more than blown away with how this has turned out.

"We've been able to see the audience reactions for ourselves in Birmingham, it has just been amazing, we feel so proud."

The musical is produced by the band and ROYO with Pete Waterman, with an original book by Shaun Kitchener.

"It is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographed by Olivier Award winning Matt Cole.

In the synopsis for the musical, the action begins at Better Best Bargains, where it's Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone's dancing in the aisles. But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal, the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy.

Have they all lost their chance of a 'happy ever after'? Or does love have other plans in store?