It was third time lucky for Adam Buckley. The British tap dancer auditioned three times over four years to get into the musical, dance and comedy act STOMP.
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‘‘There wasn’t a lot of work in those years outside busking,’’ he said.
He finally succeeded in 2007 and has been performing with it ever since. He spent four years performing in London and has been touring internationally for the rest. This tour was his first time in Australia and the reaction here has been as gratifying and immediate as anywhere else.
‘‘A five-year-old and an 85-year-old still laugh at our jokes, anywhere around the world,’’ he said.
With his dance background he found learning and retaining routines wasn’t a problem, but most of it was nothing like what he was used to doing.
Where others saw shopping trolleys, newspapers, and other everyday objects, the creators of STOMP saw opportunities to create musical, dance and comedy numbers. Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas began STOMP in Brighton, England, in 1991 and it became an international hit, its success aided by the fact it does not have any dialogue, so its appeal is universal, and new sections and cast members can be added to keep it fresh.
Buckley has found himself wearing – and drumming on – an inner tube, suspended from a scaffold with drumsticks to play the backdrop, and using plastic plumbing piping to make frog noises. And that’s just to name a few.
‘‘It’s unique,’’ Buckley said.
While he was not trained as a drummer, he picked up the skills, aided by his dance background and the importance of rhythm in the routines. But each night, he said, was different, with its own tempo and feeling.
Each performer learned multiple roles in the show, he said, both to keep their talents and interest fresh and to ensure every part was covered.
He learned this the hard way. Early in his STOMP career he collapsed in the middle of a show and another member of the company who had a night off but happened to be in the theatre went on to finish the performance.
After the Australian tour finishes with the Sydney season next week, Buckley will return to Europe and more performances. He said he hoped to be home for Christmas to reunite with his girlfriend, a dancer.
Although he entertained plans to become a tap teacher in the future, Buckley said he was still enjoying STOMP.
‘‘I’ll stay with them as long as they’ll have me or until my body gives out,’’ he said.
STOMP is on at the Canberra Theatre until September 8. Tickets $69-$99. Bookings: 62752700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au
