Trash cans, brooms and Zippo lighters create the explosive music of Stomp, an off-Broadway show coming to Shanghai this October. It uses everyday objects to create a musical masterpiece with no dialogue or storyline, instead utilizing dance and percussion to captivate the audience.
Debuting in 1991 in London, Stomp has toured the world, taking up residence in cities such as Sydney, New York City, Las Vegas and London. Its creators, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, have been perfecting Stomp since they met in Edinburgh nearly three decades ago. The show is an authentic combination of the two creators' backgrounds: Cresswell with his training as a rock-band drummer in Brighton and McNicholas'experience in theater.
Image via 247tickets
The show's goal is simple: to create a performance which captivates viewers enough for it to become theater. As McNicholas says, he wants to "make every percussion moment a performance moment." The music often has a sense of humor to it, as the performers joke and annoy one another without any dialogue. This playful attitude keeps the show fresh and intriguing, as sounds from everyday life are used to form relationships among the cast members. When watching this from the audience, it's impossible not to tap your foot along with the performances.
Making appearances on Sesame Street and the 2012 London Olympic Games closing ceremony, Stomp has retained its success and continues to garner international fame. By bringing street performance to the stage, this heart-pounding experience is perfect for families and will make you see ordinary objects in a whole new light.
Oct 11-12 & 17-19, 7.30pm; Oct 13-14 & 20-21, 3.30pm or 7.30pm. RMB180-780. ET Space. See event listing. Book tickets here.
[Cover image via 247tickets]
