The Spice Girls have reunited to launch a stage musical called Viva Forever after their hit song.

The group met on the same grand staircase that proved to be their first step to stardom – that of St Pancras Hotel in London, which famously featured in the video for the quintet’s debut single Wannabe as they colourfully ran amok in the building.

It was the first time they had been together publicly since they completed their 2008 reunion tour. The group ruled the charts in the late 1990s, becoming one of the UK’s biggest exports with hits such as Two Become One and Spice Up Your Life.

The musical tells the story of a girl being launched to stardom through a TV talent show and her relationship with her mother. The girls said the theme of motherhood was important and they want their children to enjoy their songs.

Geri Halliwell said her daughter Bluebell had learned about the group’s music from her school friends.

“I haven’t really told her about the Spice Girls and she keeps coming home, and I was really surprised about this − she’s only six − saying that her school friends know who we are.

“I feel really proud of that − that she’s just loving the music and singing along to it.”

LA-based Victoria Beckham added: “My kids are really creative and love music. They’ve always loved musicals.

“My parents have always brought them up to take them to the West End and when we’re in New York we go to Broadway, so it’s always been a huge part of all of our lives, musical theatre.”

Reminiscing about auditioning the backing dancers for their reunion tour in 2007, the girls revealed they are keen to be involved in the casting, and hinted they were hoping to see girls from their old drama schools audition.

The show opens at the Piccadilly Theatre on December 11 and tickets are on sale now.