Music review - "Stomp"

[Krayy]

I heard on the radio on Saturday arvo that Stomp was in town, and since I was feeling kinda generous, I decided to take wifey to the show that night.

A word of advice to would be showgoers....as well as going on to Ticketek to try to sort out tickets, head onto TardMe as well to see if there are any scalpers out there with better seats. We were in the gods and I didn't mind too much, but there was a lot of subtleties that we missed being unable to see their faces, although they used a lot of body language which overcame it somewhat.

Now on to the show......

Stomp is a show that focusses on making mainly percussion based music from every day objects from brooms and newspapers to trash cans and the kitchen sink. The excitement of the sheer physicality of the show is offset by the liberal amounts of visual comedy throughout, and at times we were almost laughing ourselves off of our seats.

I first saw Stomp in Sydney, and was stunned by the complexity of the rhythms that were created by using everyday objects, so I went into the show on Saturday with high hopes. Cora had never seen them before, and I really wasn't sure that she'd like it as much as I had. I needn't have worried, since after the first number, in which the performers used brooms as their instruments, she was hooked.

The pacing was quite good with lots of peaks and troughs, which was dictated by the stamina of the performers, as they needed a lot of energy for the last number and encore. The audience participation was well integrated and was perfectly balanced between the serious and the comedic.

What made the show for me was the characterisations that were apparent in the performers. Unlike the Village People, the characters were more british oriented with the larger personalities like the Punk, the Acrobat and the Geek taking centre stage often enough to be very familiar, but still be part of the group.

This show is highly recommended, and anyone who likes music with strong rhythms and bursts of loud sound. If you're into percussion (Jim2) you HAVE to see this show!!

10 out of 10. Currently playing at the St James theatre, Wellington. Give your best girl (or guy) a treat, and take her (or him) along.

[slowpoke]

I saw it a few years agon in Perth so it might have changed a bit since then but it was bloody amazing. It wasn't at all what I expected (I got begrudgingly dragged along by my much better half) and came away thinking I'd like to see it again! Yep, definitely go see it if you get the chance.

[Postie]

Cibby and I saw the show on Friday night, it was awesome. I enjoyed it so much and recommended it to my family enough for them (dad, brother x2, sister and brothers girlfriend) to go on Sunday. I should be on commision.

It was funny, which i wasn't expecting. I would have gone to see it again but it finished on the 18th (yesterday)

[Motu]

I've got a video of them somewhere - as well as the other stuff they are out in an alley using balls and stuff....a card game using cards and other table stuff,be nice to see them live,but probably not.

[yungatart]

hXc would looove to go see them, his music teacher organised to take a group of kids to one of the Wgtn shows, but alas, he is still in New Caledonia so is going to miss out. He and 2 classmates performed their own brand of Stomp at the HB Chamber Music festival on Friday night, using everything including the kitchen sink. Chamber music is quite "high brow" and three mad percussionists is not the norm for a contest like that. They performed really well, had the audience absolutely enthralled - wondering what was coming next - and took out the adjudicators award! Motu, would love to borrow your video... would ease the disappointment a little. Truth to tell, I think he would rather go to Stomp than NC