Review

Write a review for a play that you attended this semester (professional, community or educational). This is a slightly edited version of a dance paper I wrote for my dance class this semester, but I really wanted to share it with the class.



On September 19, 2009 I went to see the production of STOMP in Pittsburgh at the Benedum Center. STOMP is a percussion, dance show that combines percussion, movement, and visual comedy to create a very unique and very exquisite show.


The show uses eleven dancers. There were nine male dancers and two female dancers, all of different ethnicities. All of the dancers were in and out of different scenes dancing and playing different percussive rhythms as part of their dance and choreography. Each scene used different amounts of dancers and often dancers would go in and out of scenes. They also interacted with each other, visually not verbally, which created some comedy in the production.

The costumes were very simple, modern type costumes. The dancers had on jeans or shorts that were very baggy. They had on tank tops or tee shirts. Their costumes were very intercity street clothes. They even had a dirty look to them. I believe this added to the effect of the percussion “instruments” being what most people would consider trash (i.e. garbage cans, signs, pots, pans, jugs, etc.)

The set was decorated in the “trash” items I mentioned in the previous paragraph. As you first walked into the theater, the curtain was not closed and you could view the stage and the set in its entirety. The set had a wall or flats built with two platforms attached, creating two floors or levels to the space. There were also ladders to climb up and down between the levels. The floor was a black flooring that was, to my knowledge, a sound stage to pick up all of the sounds made by the dancers.

As soon as the show began, the set became the dancer’s prop. They would use sticks to bang on the barrels, cans, signs, and other pieces of the set. All of the props used (with an exception of the drum sticks) were “recycled” items and items that we are exposed to in everyday life. They used lighters, sand, sinks, tubes, along with many other items. Without these props there would not have been a show. The creativity that went into choosing these props and then choreographing scenes to use these props in dance and percussion is incredible. It simply amazes me how all of these props were used to create such an amazing show.

When you walk into the house of the theater, music from a recording is playing. This music is very urban and upbeat and it sets the mood for the show. But when the show starts, all of the “music” is made by the dancers. All of the music, noises, and other sound effects are made solely by the dancers. These noises are made by themselves personally, and by them using the choreographed dance movements that are in conjunction with the props to make percussive sounds. This is my absolute favorite part of the production. It amazes me how they create so many different rhythms and sounds using the “instruments” they have and create their own soundtrack.

The lighting of the show had a lot of impact in the choreography of the show (and vice versa). The lighting changed a lot with the intensity of the sounds and movements. If it was a loud strong movement sequence, the lighting was bold and bright and sometimes even red or changing. If it was a calm, slower sound, the lighting was often blue or green or even a dim light. In one scene the light was completely dark because the prop and choreography dealt with lighters and the flame of these lighters. A great deal of spotlights was also used to spot dancers and at times even their prop.

All of the elements of dance were used very effectively and efficiently. The dancers used the entire space they were given. They obviously had a great sense of time. And their efforts and force were apparent through their actions of percussion and dance.

The dancers used a lot of different levels during the course of the performance. At times they would crawl around the space or crouch down real low, using low levels. They would also use various high levels by jumping and elevating themselves. They also used the different levels of the set. They used all of the stage so all of the stage directions were used. They did several scenes within the whole space, but they also did certain scenes within one area. For example, the lighter scene was all done downstage center. The performers used all of the general space, as I mentioned, but they also used a lot of personal space as well. They would use their props in little movements within their personal space, but they also did large movements expanding their personal space use.

Because this is a percussion, dance show time was a very key element to focus on. The beat and tempo had to be felt and engaged by all of the performers, if not, their movements would be off and their sounds would be messed up which would cause the show to be at lower quality. They used many, many different rhythms in their movements and their sounds. Each dancer was often doing different beats and rhythms within the same scene. They would also accent and use syncopation a lot of their movements to go with the sounds of their instruments. For example, when they were using the barrels that were strapped around their necks, the dancer would do a different movement when it was his or her turn to hit the barrel or create their sound.

Effort and force were also elements that were apparent during the course of the production. All of the ranges of these elements were used.

During the one scene, several of the dancers were actually suspended from the upper level of the set on bungee cords. These movements were smooth movements and they were also swinging movements. There was another scene with rubber pipes that was very free flowing and light. These movements were often lower to the ground and they were in a slower music rather than the loud, direct sounds and motions of other scenes in the show. Every scene in this production experimented with all of the different forces and efforts we have discussed. The most apparent effort used would be the percussive element. The entire show was obviously percussive and many of the sequences would repeat themselves several times during a specific scene.

STOMP is an exploration of movement and sound. It explores the relationship between the two ideas. It also explores how everyday items can be used in an abstract way to create art. During the show, you can see how the dancers discover new ways of making movements and sounds with different items. There is a scene with bags in which three of the dancers sit on the stage and experiment with different types of bags and they sounds that are made by each. There is another scene where the dancers play with sinks, water, and dishware (i.e. cups and pans). They discover that a different amount of water in the cups and pans creates different pitches of sound. Discoveries like these are made during the entire show. Often times, these discoveries are made with comedy and lightheartedness.

The idea of this dance relates to my life in many ways. I am always experimenting with new ideas and discovering new things. I love creating things out of everyday items and I love learning how to make the best of what I have. I also come from a family of percussionists. As I was watching this performance, I would see the dancers banging on these everyday items and I would think, “Wow, this is no different than a normal day at the Olmstead residents.” (And that the honest to goodness truth! Percussionists are always hitting things and causing a ruckus).

STOMP was created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. In 1981, the two were members of a street band. They worked on many small percussive street musical comedy productions. Eventually they created in what is now known as STOMP in Brighton, U.K. in 1991. I believe that this production shows their creativity and passion for two very intense art forms, dance and percussion. It shows that they have a great talent and love for taking simple things (like a garbage can) and turning it into the center for a great production. Cresswell and McNicholas seem to have a passion for taking everyday items that you wouldn’t think to be an instrument or of any importance and making them the center of attention and the source of entertainment. I admire this passion and creativity very, very much!

The performers conducted themselves in a very professional manner. In fact, we got to meet a couple of them after the show. They were very sweet people and they are very happy to meet and greet their fans. Each of the dancers were well rehearsed, confident and you could tell they loved what they were doing and they have been doing it for quite some time. Each of the dancers clearly communicates the intent of the creators and they did so in a very entertaining, comedic manner.

The way the dancers used the set and the props as their music is probably the aspect of the piece that worked for me the best. I was always amused by what each dancer was doing with their prop. I was never bored with any of the scenes because I was always wondering which prop they were going to use next and how they were going to use it. And just as I figured out how they were using their prop, they switched their technique and found a different way of using said prop.

If I had to make one aspect of this piece stronger (even though I don’t think I would), but if I had to, I would maybe do a little more to the set. Rather than have just a simple stationary piece as a wall, I would maybe had a little more depth or change the set at one point during the show instead of keeping it the same throughout the entire production. However, I believe the way the set was created worked very well for what they were doing.

I do not believe this piece would be received by an audience in the same manner if it had been done 50 years ago. This is a very, very modern piece and I believe people 50 years ago, would not have believed or respected what was being done. 50 years ago, street performers were seen as the lower class that was thrust into poverty and tried to earn some money by banging on some trash cans. They were not respected by higher society. Nowadays however, we appreciate the art more and we are more engaged by the art form. I do not believe that STOMP would have been put down 50 years ago, but it would not be as popular as it is today.

“Discuss on person you know that would relate and enjoy the work, and why.” Well, to be quite honest, I cannot pick one person I know that would relate and enjoy this work. I, however, can pick three people. These three people are the Olmstead men, my grandfather, my father, and my younger brother. All of them are percussionists. My grandfather (as you know) has been involved in several percussion, dance ensembles somewhat similar to STOMP. By dad and my brother are always finding something to make noise on, whether is it the steering wheel, their laps, pots and pans, or even the TV remote, they are always making sounds out of something. In fact, I took my younger brother (who is 14) to see STOMP. I watched him a lot as we watched the performance and he was totally engaged the entire time. I even caught him drumming a long with the performers on occasion. I absolutely loved this performance and I am really glad I was able to go see it. It is actually coming to IUP in the spring and I do intend on going to see it again and hopefully the guys (papa, dad, and Andrew) will all be able to come see it with me!