Revisiting STOMP's High Octane Acts

Rocky Christopher Fajardo

After Stomp creators Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas' statements on Cameron Mackintosh's purchase and plans for the show's current London home, the Ambassadors Theatre, BWW's Philippines-based reporters joined a media contingent on a trip to London to experience the one-of-a-kind noise and energy that Stomp has been creating for the past 12 years in the West End.

The five-day trip comes shortly before the show hits Manila for its second staging at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in a special limited run from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22.

"Great reaction, just a bit reserved in the beginning, but by the end, it was flying!" Luke Cresswell recalls how Stomp was initially received by the Philippine audience.

STOMP staged its first Manila production in 2011, and as it returns to the Main Theater of the CCP in two weeks, it will be featuring two new routines, which were first introduced in 2013 - "Frogs" and "Trolleys."

As an added bonus, it was also confirmed by Concertus Manila that a 17-year veteran Filipino Stomper, US-based Andres Fernandez, will be joining the Manila production, together with some members of the current London cast, for Stomp's two-week run.

"Even now, we're still changing [things]. Everything in the show has changed from the start... The concept of making rhythm with everyday objects--humor without dialogue, but with rhythm, that's never changed. Some of the key instruments, like the brooms and the dustbins, we still use those. Most of the choreography has changed; it's got more complex," says Cresswell on the 20-year evolution of Stomp.

"We played Brazil and they were so into the rhythm that they just carried on; they took it out to the streets, playing everything. It was very infectious, very good! I've yet to perform or see the show in a country where it doesn't work; it's just they have different ways of it working," Cresswell continues.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad also sends his congratulations to Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Concertus Manila for bringing Stomp to the Philippines and giving the Filipinos a chance to see world-class British theatrical acts.

"The show [STOMP] originated in Brighton, on England's south coast. Many recall their spectacular performance in the London Olympics. The cast is a great example of the creative arts that the UK has become famed for and I'm delighted that Filipinos will get a chance to see this vibrant act," he adds.

STOMP 2014 is brought to the Philippines by Concertus Manila and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, in cooperation with Diamond Hotel, OOCL, and CCP.

For tickets visit ticketworld.com.ph.

Photos: Rocky Christopher Fajardo