Stomp Returns to New Zealand And It’s Better than Ever!

Stomp Returns to New Zealand From 30 July, And It’s Better than Ever!

Tickets on sale 18 March for Wellington and Auckland

‘Stomp brings the house down’ The Independent on Sunday, UK
‘Brilliant and very funny’ New York Times
‘Pure stage magic’ The Sunday Telegraph, UK

The Broadway, West End and international sensation STOMP is back, and it’s better than ever!

Following their acclaimed performance at the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, STOMP returns to New Zealand from 30 July, with new routines, new choreography and new music.

Wordless, witty and fun, STOMP has become a global phenomenon over the last 22 years. Its universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and dance has resonated with audiences throughout the world, setting feet stamping, fingers drumming and adrenalin rushing for over 15 million people in 50 countries across 5 continents. STOMP is currently playing in the UK, US, throughout Europe and South America.

Eight performers use everything from supermarket trolleys to Zippo lighters, plastic bags to bin lids, and even the kitchen sink to hammer out an explosively feel-good rhythm.

STOMP is a show that continues to evolve – new music and choreography now join a fresh array of ordinarily mundane objects, onto which the cast work their musical magic. Two new routines that have been introduced in 2013 include “Trolleys” and “Frogs”. Trolleys taps into the everyday experience of negotiating a busy shopping aisle with a fully laden supermarket trolley, with the piece transforming into STOMP’s first ever fully fledged drum corps march. Certainly an eye-catching spectacle. Frogs explores the bizarre sonic possibilities of a variety of plumbing fixtures. It has to be heard to be believed!

In one spectacular routine, paint cans are tossed between the performers, as they simultaneously build an astonishingly complex rhythm over every surface of the airborne cans. With the emphasis very much on ‘spectacular’, the Stompers are also joined by inflated monster truck inner tubes strapped around their waists to create both a dance of bobbing, whirling rubber skirts and pounding, portable drum kits – the ultimate redefinition of ‘surround sound’.

Still remaining is STOMP’s signature high-octane mix of slick choreography, tight ensemble work, industrial percussion, and continuous comedy; as the irrepressible troupe of eight performers turn brooms into soft shoe partners, clapping into intricate conversations and water cooler bottles into sophisticated instruments.

Producer James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions says “STOMP has to be one of my favourite shows. It is a unique and supremely clever idea, to create music from everyday objects and combine it with side-splitting comedy and intricate choreography to produce a polished theatrical performance, the likes of which you’ve never seen before.”

Loved by audiences of all ages, this multi-award winning show has just celebrated its most successful year yet in its 11-year run in London’s West End, breaking the record for highest annual audience ever at the Ambassadors Theatre. And on Broadway STOMP is enjoying its 20th year, breaking the record for the longest-running show at the Orpheum Theatre.

The fun started back in 1991 at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, with a single drum hanging around Co-Creator/Director Luke Cresswell’s neck. STOMP was an instant hit, becoming the Guardian’s "Critic's Choice" and winning the Daily Express's "Best of the Fringe" award, and went on to play to capacity audiences around the world. In 1994 STOMP received an Olivier Award nomination for “Best Entertainment” and won the award for "Best Choreography in a West End Show". With appearances at the Oscars, the Emmy's, on prime-time US TV shows such as Letterman and Leno, and most recently at the London 2012 Olympics, STOMP has become a household name across the world.

STOMP last visited New Zealand in 2009 and enjoyed a sell-out season. “We are really excited about coming back to New Zealand,” says STOMP’s Co-Creator/Director Steve McNicholas. “If you’ve never seen STOMP you should come and see what all the noise is about, and if you’ve seen it before then this show has plenty of new routines to enthral.”

Venue and Dates

Wellington – 30 July to 4 August
8 Shows Only – St James Theatre
Book at Ticketeck.co.nz or
0800 Ticketek (0800 842 538)
Groups 10+ Save! Call 04 384 3842

Auckland – 6 to 11 August
8 Shows Only – ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Book at Buytickets.co.nz or
0800 Buy Tickets (0800 289 842)
Groups 10+ Save! Call 09 357 3354

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