Spoiler warning:
The eight-member troupe of STOMP concluded their electrifying six-day run at Fallsview Casino’s Avalon Theatre on March 16, leaving Niagara Falls audiences with ringing ears and rhythmic hearts. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this percussion phenomenon demonstrated that three decades haven’t diminished its innovative spirit or raw energy. The intimate setting of the Avalon Theatre enhanced both the subtle nuances and thunderous crescendos of this dialogue-free performance, creating an immersive experience that transcended traditional theatrical boundaries.
From the moment the performers took the stage, it became clear that STOMP isn’t merely a show—it’s an industrial symphony of everyday objects transformed into extraordinary instruments. The performers, dressed in workman-like attire, commanded the stage with military precision, turning mundane items like brooms, garbage cans, and wooden poles into vehicles of rhythmic expression. The absence of dialogue highlighted the universal language of rhythm, allowing the audience to focus entirely on the intricate patterns and physical comedy that have become STOMP’s signature.
The show’s opening sequence established its percussive vocabulary with a simple broom routine that gradually built in complexity. What began as sweeping motions evolved into a hypnotic display of synchronization, with performers creating polyrhythms that seemed impossible from such ordinary tools. The choreography demonstrated remarkable restraint—knowing precisely when to pull back and when to explode with energy—creating dynamic waves that carried the audience through each segment.
Perhaps most impressive was the troupe’s ability to extract music from the most unlikely sources. A sequence involving matchboxes showcased their dexterity, as tiny flicking motions created delicate sounds that filled the theatre with surprising clarity. This contrasted brilliantly with the thunderous garbage can number, where performers transformed industrial containers into booming drums while executing acrobatic moves that drew spontaneous applause from the Fallsview audience.
The Zippo lighter segment demonstrated STOMP’s genius for building tension through simplicity. In near darkness, performers created a visual and auditory spectacle using only the flick and snap of metal lighters. The resulting patterns of light and sound transformed these pocket-sized objects into instruments of surprising emotional range, proving that STOMP’s power lies not in technological wizardry but in human ingenuity and precision.
What distinguishes STOMP from other percussion shows is its commitment to character and humor. Each performer projected a distinct personality through movement alone, creating silent narratives that wove through the rhythmic displays. One standout performer embodied a mischievous energy that provided comic relief between the more intense segments, using facial expressions and body language to communicate volumes without uttering a single word. However, some of these character moments occasionally veered into predictable territory, with certain comedic beats feeling somewhat rehearsed rather than spontaneous.
The hubcap routine showcased both the show’s industrial aesthetic and its remarkable attention to tonal quality. Performers manipulated these automotive discards with astonishing control, extracting metallic harmonies that ranged from bell-like clarity to thunderous crashes. The choreography during this segment was particularly impressive, with performers spinning, tossing, and catching the hubcaps while maintaining rhythmic precision. Yet, at times, the metallic cacophony bordered on overwhelming in the intimate Avalon Theatre space.
While celebrating its 30th anniversary, STOMP has evolved while preserving its core identity. Some routines have clearly been refined over decades of performance, achieving a level of precision that only comes from thousands of repetitions. Yet the show maintains a sense of spontaneity and danger—particularly during the pole sequence, where performers balanced precariously while creating complex rhythms. For audience members familiar with STOMP’s history, certain segments might feel less surprising than they once did, though the technical execution remains impressive.
The show’s pacing deserves special mention. STOMP balanced high-energy numbers with moments of relative calm, creating a rhythmic journey that prevented audience fatigue. A particularly effective sequence involved performers creating music using only their bodies—slapping, clapping, and breathing in unison to demonstrate that percussion begins with the human form itself. This stripped-down interlude provided a welcome contrast to the more bombastic numbers, though some transitions between segments occasionally disrupted the show’s overall flow.
The Avalon Theatre proved an ideal venue for STOMP’s acoustic range. The intimate space allowed audiences to appreciate both the thunderous stomps and the subtlest scrapes and taps that might be lost in larger venues. The industrial set design—featuring walls of repurposed objects—extended the show’s aesthetic into the performance space itself, creating an immersive environment that blurred the line between stage and scenery.
If there’s any criticism to be leveled at STOMP after 30 years, it’s that some elements that once seemed revolutionary have been imitated enough to feel familiar. The show’s format, while still engaging, doesn’t offer many surprises for those who have seen it before. Certain segments could benefit from reimagining to recapture the innovative spirit that made STOMP groundbreaking three decades ago. Nevertheless, the performers’ commitment and technical proficiency remain undeniable.
As the final thunderous applause faded at the Avalon Theatre on March 16, it was clear that STOMP remains a distinctive theatrical experience. In celebrating its 30th anniversary, the show demonstrated that its formula—finding extraordinary music in ordinary objects—continues to resonate with audiences. For visitors to Fallsview Casino, this limited engagement offered an opportunity to experience a global phenomenon in an intimate setting, where every snap, crash, and stomp created a percussive celebration that, despite occasional moments of predictability, delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance.
All photos by Dan Savoie
