When noise becomes music to the ears, it is called Stomp.
Stomp is a very unique combination of percussion, movement and comedy. It has been performed all over the world since 1991. Excitement ruled over me when I boarded KLM via Amsterdam to head to London and finally see this much talked about show with fellow members of the press. I have to add that we were lucky enough to have Dutch chef Jonnie Boer of De Librije’s recipes aboard KLM. A Michelin-star rated chef’s food on a plane... I have never enjoyed airline food as much as on this trip!
I didn’t know what to expect from the show. Stomp actually had always been in the list of shows I would like to watch but never really got to see it because I would always get sidetracked to other “bigger” shows or musicals when in New York or London. Now that I had finally seen it, I wouldn’t actually mind watching it again!
Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas collaborated for 10 years to come up with a show like Stomp, which was created in Brighton in 1991. It previewed at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and premiered at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh where it became The Guardian’s Critics’ Choice and won The Daily Express Best of Fringe Award. Until 1994, the original cast played sold out performances all over the world and received a Lawrence Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment and won Best Choreography in a West End Show.
The show is composed of eight “Stompers.” They make sounds with matchsticks, Zippo lighters and mops… even kitchen sinks and trash bins. What makes the show unique is the brilliant choreography of how precise it is for each Stomper to make a particular noise at a particular time, whether it be a solo noise and more importantly, when they have to do a precise noise all at the same time. Because the show is very impressive, Stomp has been seen by 15 million people in 48 countries.
Those who have seen Stomp actually do watch the show again since the people behind the production do make changes in the show. Certain objects are quite new to the show like the inner tubes of a tire and rubber tubes used for wire insulation. There are new routines, new choreography and new music. They now call Stomp “fresher, faster, funnier.”
So what does it take to become a Stomper? We were handed an audition flyer and basically, anyone can audition. They ask you to snap, tap your foot, anything that can make the producers see potential for rhythm. They are lucky to get eight from 1,000 who audition. They learn how to stomp for four to six months, they rehearse for six to eight weeks then they are ready for the show.
Our host Lunchbox Theatrical Productions chief executive James Cundall says Stomp is one of his favorite shows. He says, “It’s clever. It’s a show you can take anyone to and everyone will enjoy it.” True enough, the theater was filled with an audience ranging from eight to 80 years old and everyone gave the performers a standing ovation at the end.
Of course we all did our little side trips of shopping and eating (my favorite British roasted pork belly!). We were also taken to two more shows, Dirty Dancing the Musical and We Will Rock You, which hopefully will also be brought to Manila in the future.
Seeing Stomp was definitely the highlight of this trip and I am looking forward to watching it in Manila, especially excited about what they intend to do with a much bigger stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Stomp will only have eight shows from Oct. 18 to 23 at the CCP. Don’t miss it and see what the noise is all about!
Stomp is brought to you by official hotel Dusit Thani Manila, Visa and official ocean carrier OOCL. Media partners include The Philippine Star, Radio High 105.9, Crossover, Monster Radio 93.1, etc, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV and Business World.
(Get your tickets from Ticketworld by calling 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph. Also check out www.lunchbox-productions.com)
(Visit www.klm.com)