British dance-theatre group STOMP, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary through a series of performances, mesmerised Indian celebrities, including actress Shriya Saran and author Amish Tripathi, with their “magical show” here.
The group performed on Wednesday and Thursday for industrialists and celebrities like Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Nawaz Modi Singhania, Jayati Bhatia, Saurabh Shukla, Shriya, Tripathi and Shweta Shetty.
Starting their journey in 1991, STOMP, which consists of Luke Cresswell, John McAuley and Steve McNicholas, created a physical theatre performance using the body and ordinary objects from daily life.
The group has received patronage from Hollywood celebrities like Jim Carey, Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Steven Spielberg, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster and Ben Kingsley.
They have admirers in Mumbai too.
Tripathi said: “The performance was simply awesome. I am sure the show will do exceptionally well.”
Shriya found their performance here “truly magical”. “So much effort the cast and the crew puts in. I have beautiful memories watching it in London years ego. I am glad that it’s in India,” she added.
The actress will take part in a workshop that will be conducted by dancer and choreographer Terence Lewis on December 14.
The British Council and singer Ananya Birla will also conduct two separate sessions on December 13 and December 14 respectively.
This is the first initiative where the dance group, brought to India by Ashwin Gidwani, started their special performance on a philanthropic note on Tuesday. They performed with Mumbai bands Dharavi Rocks, Love and Care Stompers and Maharashtrian Lezim for some of the underprivileged children to spread awareness about the importance of art, education and environmental issues amongst the youth.
They were facilitated by Shiv Sena youth leader Aaditya Thackeray.
Talking about the initiative, Gidwani said: “This is a great way to empower underprivileged children by helping them find a voice by initiating them into dance and music, bringing creative experiences into their lives and creating positive bonds between different communities.”
How will Thackeray’s involvement in the initiative help’
Lewis said: “I think this will send out a very positive message among the youth about the importance of cultural exchange. I always believe that culture should travel and evolve with time and create a new cultural identity because at the end of the day, it is one world.”
The STOMP show for the public started on Friday and will continue till December 18 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
