Two days back we had the good fortune to witness one Broadway show right here in Bloomington. The name of the show is "Stomp". We three along with our friends enjoyed the show very thoroughly. I had to share that with you.
Stomp doesn't make comment on any burning or subtle issue, it doesn't take you to past or
future. It doesn't have any dialogues, it doesn't has characters of any particular nationality. For that matter it doesn't start at a starting point or end with a climax. It doesn't have any characters... nope, plain human bodies. In fact Stomp is a show that has NO story. Nothing... Nada! It is a musical so it must have a lot of songs...No! Then an extra-veganza of musical symphonies on various instruments played by the accomplished artists...Nah!!
Then what exactly is it ?? Why were we so impressed???
Stomp is a 1.5 hrs show where 8 different artists come and create music not out of any instruments we know that create music. But out of things and material we use in our daily lives. That's it? Yes... that is it. But ... I mean is that it? Yes...that is IT!
And what kind of material are we talking about...? Brooms, Garbage tins, sticks, rubber pipes, water barrels, sinks!, plastic bags, cigarette lighters...! News papers, stomping, kicking, sliding, clapping, snapping and even coughing...!!!!
It was a treat to watch them 'create' music out of as you can see ... anything! But they don't just create music they dance...! Boy do they dance...! Using every part of one's physic that you can think of. With vibrant energies that if combined can run a steam engine for few miles at ease out of it. And the visuals that they create are nothing short of stunning. And most of all they involve YOU, the audience in playing a part of it. How...? It is just to be experienced. Although as I said in the beginning it doesn't make any social comment or brings any psychological aspects into light, but it definitely leaves you a direct message with actual experience. It tells you that there is immense music and beat with you, don't let it die!
The various beats that they developed and the minutest spaces they use and create within those beats is simply heart throbbing. The synchronization and the harmony that they create out of that on the stage is simply unimaginable at least to me till that day.
David and Pramod and all the 'Sahayogis' on this group. If there was any physical theatre we imagined and talked about (and did very little in practice!), this was it! The humor they created was quite funny. But it wasn't based on any built upon situation, they made it appear spontaneous. But as a performing artist I know how immensely the would have needed to practice it. And get even more awed by that realization.
I have a feeling that David would know about this show and if it is true then I would really love to hear his impression or anything that he knows about this show.
This is a show that has originated in UK in 1991 and has established itself in American Broadway industry to such an extent that a few years back, a road in NY Broadway district is named after them. But I'm not going to dilute my experience by giving you those academic details. Although I do recommend that you read it out. Explore the show here: http://www.stomponline.com/ it has besides other details some audio and video clips that might give you a hint what it was. But I doubt if you can imagine it without actually seeing what it was.
I couldn't have thanked my stars enough to get an opportunity to witness the human creativity at its best!!
Mayur.
Stomp doesn't make comment on any burning or subtle issue, it doesn't take you to past or
future. It doesn't have any dialogues, it doesn't has characters of any particular nationality. For that matter it doesn't start at a starting point or end with a climax. It doesn't have any characters... nope, plain human bodies. In fact Stomp is a show that has NO story. Nothing... Nada! It is a musical so it must have a lot of songs...No! Then an extra-veganza of musical symphonies on various instruments played by the accomplished artists...Nah!!Then what exactly is it ?? Why were we so impressed???
Stomp is a 1.5 hrs show where 8 different artists come and create music not out of any instruments we know that create music. But out of things and material we use in our daily lives. That's it? Yes... that is it. But ... I mean is that it? Yes...that is IT!
And what kind of material are we talking about...? Brooms, Garbage tins, sticks, rubber pipes, water barrels, sinks!, plastic bags, cigarette lighters...! News papers, stomping, kicking, sliding, clapping, snapping and even coughing...!!!!
It was a treat to watch them 'create' music out of as you can see ... anything! But they don't just create music they dance...! Boy do they dance...! Using every part of one's physic that you can think of. With vibrant energies that if combined can run a steam engine for few miles at ease out of it. And the visuals that they create are nothing short of stunning. And most of all they involve YOU, the audience in playing a part of it. How...? It is just to be experienced. Although as I said in the beginning it doesn't make any social comment or brings any psychological aspects into light, but it definitely leaves you a direct message with actual experience. It tells you that there is immense music and beat with you, don't let it die!
The various beats that they developed and the minutest spaces they use and create within those beats is simply heart throbbing. The synchronization and the harmony that they create out of that on the stage is simply unimaginable at least to me till that day.
David and Pramod and all the 'Sahayogis' on this group. If there was any physical theatre we imagined and talked about (and did very little in practice!), this was it! The humor they created was quite funny. But it wasn't based on any built upon situation, they made it appear spontaneous. But as a performing artist I know how immensely the would have needed to practice it. And get even more awed by that realization.
I have a feeling that David would know about this show and if it is true then I would really love to hear his impression or anything that he knows about this show.
This is a show that has originated in UK in 1991 and has established itself in American Broadway industry to such an extent that a few years back, a road in NY Broadway district is named after them. But I'm not going to dilute my experience by giving you those academic details. Although I do recommend that you read it out. Explore the show here: http://www.stomponline.com/ it has besides other details some audio and video clips that might give you a hint what it was. But I doubt if you can imagine it without actually seeing what it was.
I couldn't have thanked my stars enough to get an opportunity to witness the human creativity at its best!!
Mayur.
