There’s a Steps musical with a lesbian twist and it’s the cheesiest thing ever
The iconic sounds of 90s pop group Steps have been transformed into a new, very camp musical.
5, 6, 7, 8, the musical tells the story of four Steps loving office workers, as they struggle through the ups and downs of romance.
And with every twist in the show’s plot comes a new Steps song – whether it makes sense or not.
The show is small in stature, performed as part of the Camden Fringe Festival, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in personality.
Scriptwriter Shaun Kitchener, who previously penned lines for Hollyoaks, has put together a musical that almost makes real Steps look like they were never camp enough.
Just about everyone in the show turns out to be gay, or in love with a colleague, and there’s a very surprising lesbian twist that we’re fairly sure didn’t happen in the real Steps.
That said, Claire Richards did tell PinkNews earlier this year that she was shocked to learn H was gay, as she originally thought he was in love with her.
The stand out performance comes from Roberta Morris, a beautiful, charismatic performer who could give Claire, Lisa and Faye a run for their money any day with her vocals.
The show is also hysterically funny – actress Natalie Lister had audience members in tears with her brilliant comic timing.
At times the show has the feel of a high school musical to it – and not in a Zac Efron way – with a number of sound problems and some awkward over-acting.
The whole cast performances are reminiscent of the X Factor’s Sunday night openers – they may all be good singers individually, but nobody should be subjected to hearing them sing together.
Speaking ahead of the show, scriptwriter and director Shaun Kitchener said: “I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how much fun this show is going to be.
“5, 6, 7, 8 is an original story with Steps music threaded in.
“It’s about a group of work mates who are all in some kind of love-life-related rut – and what do you know, that ensemble-based story gives us loads of opportunities to thread in the bangers.”
If you’re looking for a light-hearted, very funny musical that will let you re-live the 90s, then 5, 6, 7, 8 is for you.
PinkNews gives it three stars.
5, 6, 7, 8 runs from 14-19th August, Upstairs at the Gatehouse; tickets can be purchased here. All profits will be donated to learning disability charity MENCAP.
