Yes, but will I like it?

Stomp at the Vaudeville Theatre

This is essentially a dance show but if the idea of that usually sends you running for the hills don't be put off. A young, sexy group of performers on a 'building site' set bang out rhythms on a variety of industrial objects including brooms, dustbins, sink plungers, paper, polythene bags, plastic tubing even matchboxes and the proverbial kitchen sinks. There's seemingly nothing they can't syncopate a "tune" on. You'll be amazed how intoxicating it all becomes.

What's it about?

There is no story as such, in fact not a single word is spoken but each of the performers has a strong individual personality and as they make rhythms and dance routines together you begin to follow and enjoy the one-up-man-ship, alliances, affections and animosities behind everything they do.

Who's in it?

No stars just eight very charismatic, energetic young dancer/musicians. The show is so demanding that no one can perform it every night. Therefore there's a pool of twelve performers from which you'll see any combination of six men and two women.

Who'd enjoy it?

On the night I saw it, the show held a packed audience of mostly young people spell-bound and had them roaring for more. It's perfect for non-English speakers because there are no words and it's ideal for teenagers who are easily bored. They won't be bored by the exhilarating energy of "Stomp".

What should I look for?

The show's a long running international hit with at least six different companies performing it around the world. The fact that it's not reliant on dialogue and so can play in any language is a major factor but there are other clever elements that are worth noting alongside the skill of the performers and ingenuity of directors Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas.

The two skilfully vary the types of sounds you hear, so that all that noise is never allowed to get on your nerves and because there's no tunes in the traditional sense, only percussive rhythms, its appeal isn't restricted to fans of any one particular style of music.

Early on in the evening, the performers encourage us to try and clap out a rhythm for ourselves. To begin with we can't but as the show continues and we get more practice we actually do manage to co-ordinate some complex stuff, helping us feel involved and part of the action.

But for me a big appeal is that Stomp's about friendship. The gang of very likeable people on stage have the same group dynamic as any group of school mates, work colleagues or brothers and sisters. They bicker as they compete but there are also heart soaring moments when they suddenly all work together and share something wonderful.

Verdict:

An exhilarating, unusual evening that'll keep you listening to the rhythms all around you for days to come.

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