Saturday

Stomp! - Making Music From The Mundane

Stomp has been going for so long now it's almost a household name. In fact, it's been 20 years now since its original inception in 1991. Originally a piece of street theatre performed in the seaside town of Brighton, Stomp quickly became so much more and was an instant smash success. Touring worldwide, Stomp swiftly gained critical acclaim and won many awards as people across the world recognised the magnificence of its simplicity. And that is why Stomp has been so successful - because it is simple. In short, Stomp does something which had never been done in theatres before. It turned everyday objects into musical instruments. It turned movements into rhythmic sounds and combined the two into an extraordinary musical extravaganza which breaks through cultural and language barriers and captures the imagination and interest of audiences across the world.
The brilliance of Stomp lies in its simplicity. Because there is no plot and no script it can easily be enjoyed by any audience, of any age from any country. There is no confusing story or plot to worry about, the audience can just sit back and enjoy the precisely choreographed performance.
It's a fun-packed, lively show, performed by an enthusiastic energetic cast who never seem to falter. Where they do, it's used as a clever joke to entertain and engage the audience.
Stomp probably boasts the widest range of props ever used in a stage performance, yet they are remarkably simple and insignificant. Everyday items are turned into musical instruments - including bins lids, plastic containers, brooms, plungers and even the odd kitchen sink. The secret to Stomp lies in the name. The cast bang, crash, thump and stomp their way around the stage, creating a magnificent musical experience which everyone can enjoy and appreciate. The show opens the audience's eyes and ears to the world around them - seeing simple everyday household items being turned into musical instruments gives you a different outlook. The sound and movement is fantastic and the climactic scene has a gladiatorial edge to it as dustbin lids as smashed together in what feels like war of the dustbin men.
The magic of Stomp is undeniable. Despite its age, it is still a breath of fresh air, even for modern theatre. It is a change from the norm and a welcome one at that. You cannot but help being impressed by the masterful talent of the cast as they stomp, wosh, brush and crash their way about the stage. Its wonderful simplicity is also its genius.
Stomp has to be seen to be appreciated, but the fact that it has since spawned a US show, several tours worldwide, DVDs, Blu-rays and various television adverts speaks volumes.

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