A Stomp-ing night out

Well last night saw a trip to the local theatre to see Stomp. For anyone who doesn’t know what this is, take a look at the site. It’s something that’s quite difficult to define. It’s very percussive (taking me back to my drumming roots), very choreographed, very witty, and just an awesome night out. If they are touring to somewhere within a reasonable distance of where you are then you positively have to go and see them. The rhythms they produce are built up from the seemingly very simple, straight-forward, but with 8 people joining in these soon become very complex. I sat for most of the hour and three quarters last night with a huge grin on my face (at the points where I wasn’t laughing out loud anyway) and tapping away with my feet. I defy anyone to go and not get caught up in the rhythm and performance.

If there is one image that will stick in my mind it is this (and please bear with me on this as I can think of no other way to describe it!!). Picture a marching band, actually no, picture the drums section of a marching band. Now only picture the snare drums (the ones that are on a strap around the neck and lie flat rather than the bass drum which is upright). Imagine people playing them in a marching band. Got that?? Good. Now imagine that the drumming section you have in your head has 4 people in it. Got 4 drummers?? Ok. Now replace the drums. Replace them with sinks. Straight from the kitchen, and of varying sizes. One just square sink and 3 complete with draining boards. Now picture these 4 guys wearing marigolds, and rubbing the edges of the sink to make a squeaking sound. And then they produce drumsticks and play the sinks. I kid you not, this really happened. Then picture them having mugs of different sizes that are full of water (and so produce different notes when hit). And as the water is being poured from them the notes change. But not just randomly as this is perfectly choreographed again to produce a tune. It was incredible. 4 guys playing sinks and mugs.

I really can’t stress enough how good this show was. It is in Stoke-on-Trent for the rest of this week and then is heading off to other places (although I have no idea where and am too lazy to look!!). If you can get to a show then I’d highly recommend it. The percussion and movement is incredible. The comedy will have you laughing out loud, and the show, for my money, is only rivaled by something like the Cirque du Soleil. If you do go, look out for the musical Zippo lighter section, and make sure you have shoes that won’t cause blisters when you tap your feet for nearly 2 hours!!