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Theatricals Dates: 9
- 21 March, 2004 Reviewer: Alexandra Farolan |
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Created and directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas |
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Stomp is an amazing percussion performance featuring eight uniquely talented performers. Who would have known that such synchronized rhythms and beats could escape from simple household items and junkyard paraphernalia? I've already read and heard so much about this show that I figured I might've been getting my hopes too high. But seeing it at the Vogue has definitely met and exceeded my expectations. It is hilarious with cute and comedic gags and scenes (yet no dialogue!). And what will surely arise with most audience members is the fascination of the musical possibilities of everyday items like matchboxes, brooms, water jugs, kitchen sinks, and garbage cans. Even the musically retarded will appreciate what Stomp has to offer. So unless you don't like fun or creativity, or are really scared of the dark, this "stomping" performance with consistent audience interaction is recommended for everybody of all ages. Stomp kicks off with a janitor-looking guy sporting a mohawk hairdo sweeping with his back turned to the audience, seemingly oblivious to the watching crowd, and sweeps in a rhythm till his body is fully turned to the viewers. His sweeping slows down to a stop as he looks to the crowd almost confused by our presence. The immediate comedic interaction with the audience foreshadows a fun show.
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After getting back to his solo sweeping, tapping, and shuffling, the he is greeted by seven more workers who show up on stage one by one and together they make sensible rhythms and beats out of brooms. The audience clearly
enjoyed the use of the upside down brooms and sitting behind me, I could
hear the squealing laughter and the wows of an obviously entertained youngster.
Enthusiastic applause and cheering followed every performance, from scenes
of quiet darkness to the big clangs of tin and decorated metal-fencing
background, Stomp incorporates matching choreography of never-stopping
step and tap moves. The finale of tin and rubber garbage cans and garbage
can lids received an almost immediate standing ovation from the audience.
The encore, which resulted from the clapping of the audience, kept the
show going until the very end when everyone of the eight Stomp members
stepped offstage, leaving us still clapping to a beat. © 2004, Alexandra Farolan
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