• about
  • performers
  • media quotes

from the creators of the international hit stomp

Lost and Found Orchestra - London Premiere

’Uplifting’(The Times)

’Spectacular’ (The London Paper)

‘Utterly amazing’ (Sunday Express)

Hold onto your seats as the creators of Stomp go symphonic with their loudest, most energetic and entertaining new production yet.

For over 16 years, Stomp has memorably shown that household objects can be percussion instruments - and now they take the concept to an exhilarating new level with the creation of a very unique Orchestra.

Strings are replaced by a bowed saw section, woodwind and brass instruments become bellows, bottles and kettles - and there's even a part for vacuum cleaners, hair dryers and industrial kitchen cauldrons. Add dance, music, comedy and aerial performance to the mix, and see how cacophony turns to symphony in this irresistible celebration of found sound.

Part concert, part dance, part comedy, part pure performance - Lost and Found is the Southbank Centre's most invigorating offering this Christmas.

image from the performance

DIRECTORS & CREATORS:

Steve McNicholas

Steve McNicholas, from Yorkshire, has worked as an actor/singer/ musician/writer with various theatrical and musical groups, starting out with the Bradford Theatre group in 1973. Through the eighties, he worked in the UK with Cliff Hanger, Covent Garden Community Theatre and Pookiesnackenburger. As a singer he was also an original member of the Flying Pickets. TV work includes Rowan Atkinson’s “Mr. Bean”. With Luke, he composed the soundtrack to the Showtime movie, Riot and shares the Oscar and Emmy nominations for his work on Brooms and STOMP Out Loud. He shares directorial credits with Luke Cresswell on STOMP-based short films, commercials and the Imax film, Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey and most recently the Imax 3D film Wild Ocean.

Luke Cresswell

Luke Cresswell is a self-taught percussionist from Brighton. His session work as a drummer and rhythm programmer includes Norman Cook, Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, and Bryan Ferry. After working for several years as a street musician and performer, he first created STOMP in 1991. He received an Oscar nomination for the film Brooms and an Emmy nomination for Stomp Out Loud. Luke received a JUBA special achievement award for his work in percussive dance from the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. His work as a performer in Stomp includes the Oscars, the Emmys and Quincy Jones’ album, Q’s Jook Joint. He has directed, with Steve McNicholas, several award-winning commercials, short films and the Imax film, Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey and most recently the Imax 3D film Wild Ocean.

PERFORMERS:

Johannes Bohun

Born in 1978 in Vienna, studied drums at Vienna Conservatory. Has been playing and teaching since age 14. Joined Stomp in 2001 and toured with them for 4 years. When he’s not on the road with performing he’s in his studio in Vienna writing and producing music, working with different artists, for film and pursuing his own projects.

Simone Clarke

Simone was born and bred in London. She trained in performing arts at The North London Dance Studio. She is an able musician and is available for Bah Mitzvahs and weddings (and any other event that involves free food.) She also teaches music and dance at schools and colleges around London. Simone thanks all her family and friends for all their love and support.

Steven-Dean Davis

Steven-Dean originally from NC holds an Associates Degree in Photography with a minor in Music and a BFA in Acting/Directing with a minor in Dance. He began his career writing, recording and touring with various rock bands through out the east coast of America. He then performed both on stage in Musicals and Plays as well as in the orchestra pit as the Percussionist/Drummer in many Regional Theatres. He has appeared as George Sarat in Sondheim’s “Sunday in the park with George”, Macbeth in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, Rooster in “Annie” and Brad Majors in “The Rocky Horror Show”. During this time he also appeared in many Independent Films, Commercials as well as TV productions. He has appeared in "Matlock", "Mad about You", "Rosanne" and "The Young Indiana Jones". After performing the title role in the regional production of a new Rock Opera "Dracula, Prince of the Dark", he went to NYC and was offered a role in the Off-Broadway show STOMP. From 1995 until 2005 Steven-Dean toured with Stomp, as Rehearsal Director and Performing multiple roles, both on tours as well as sit-downs around the world. He can be seen with Stomp on the DVD "Stomp Out Loud" as well as the Feature Film “Vacuums”. In 2003, while touring with Stomp, he began developing a musical based on his one man show. In the fall of 2004, writing and recording began in LA and continued in Minneappolis in the spring of 2005. In the summer of 2005, development began on the Independent film version of the musical and the project will continue to be developed into a stage production bound for Broadway in the future.

Manasseh Jackson

Manasseh was born in Leeds in February 1963. At the age of 21 he taught himself to play drums and percussion and embarked on a musical career, playing in bands and recording studios. Since 1988 he has worked predominately with dancers and toured Europe working in experimental theatre. In 1991 he worked with the National Ballet of Zimbabwe and first got involved with STOMP in 1995.

Lorraine Le-Blanc

Lorraine trained for 3 years on the Performance Arts course at London Studio Centre. She has worked in the West End, performed with various dance companies, worked in TV and video and has been teaching extensively in London and Europe for many years. Lorraine has been working with Stomp since 1997. She has come home after being in the USA for the past 3 years where she was performing and working as rehearsal director for the US touring company of Stomp. Lorraine is very happy to be part of Steve and Luke’s new show and is having a great time rehearsing for the Lost and Found Orchestra and is looking forward to performing the end result. Lorraine reckons she’s got the best job in the world and continues to smile…….

Paul Gunter

Paul is a percussionist, drummer and vocalist based in Brighton but originally from the home of the famous Flipflopwot flan. His first job was as Dibby Boddle model for Russ Abbott and since then he's "never looked back". He is delighted to be part of the Lost and Found Orchestra where he has found that his skills with homing pigeons have stood him in good stead. He owes it all to Steve Wrigley.

Hillel Meltzer

Broadway: Jumpers, Scapin (Dir. Bill Irwin) Off Broadway: STOMP (First American Cast), A Dybbuk, The Alchemist, Isn't It Romantic. Regional: Twelfth Night, Midsummer, Shrew, Marvins Room. Film & TV: Robots, STOMP Out Loud (HBO), Pulse, Mad about You, Game Day, Roseanne, The Cosby Mysteries, Mr. Frears Ears, Sesame Street.

Fraser Morrison

Started his musical career seriously at the age of 10 playing trumpet in the school band. Stopped being serious at the age of 14 taking up the drums to play in a “punk” band. First met Luke Cresswell live on stage in Edinburgh as an unsuspecting audience participation member (should have known better). Went on to work with Luke on “Beat the Clyde”, a special Olympics opening ceremony and the Lagoon show in Brighton. In 1991 he was asked to do STOMP for a three week run at the Edinburgh Festival, which became a 15year marathon. Fraser finds it mildly ironic and immensely satisfying that his trumpet playing has been seriously rekindled thanks to LFO albeit while using a piece of plumbing pipe and a traffic cone......What a joy.

John Sawicki

John is a native New Yorker who works as a studio drummer and a performer. Attending College for music education, teaching and my passion for music led me to my new Stomping grounds. I have recently recorded an album entitled “Street Drum Corps”, with DJ Lethal from Limp Bizkit. My support from my family is greatly appreciated. I especially thank my father for passing down the talent and for being my mentor and friend. Music to me is my heart beat without it I wouldn't be able to function.

Matt Scanlon

I am from Poughkeepsie, New York. I have been working with Luke and Steve since 1996. Currently I am based in London, performing in Stomp. I dedicate this show to the late, great Mario Torres, best friend and fellow Stomper. I thank God, Neisha-Yen & Bailey Marie, Kearon, Luke, Steve and you.

performers back stage

Images © Kevin Meredith

performers back stage

Images © Kevin Meredith

performers back stage

Images © Kevin Meredith

performers back stage

Images © Kevin Meredith

performers back stage

Images © Kevin Meredith


Media Quotes

Latest reviews from the London premiere at Royal Festival Hall.

'Uplifting… the best Christmas treat in town.'
(Times) ★ ★ ★ ★
'Mesmerising soundscapes.'
(Metro) ★ ★ ★ ★
'Ferocious, melodious…a spectacular.'
(London Paper) ★ ★ ★ ★
’Unforgettable’
(Independent) ★ ★ ★ ★
’An ebullient, boisterous spectacle’
(Time Out) ★ ★ ★ ★
'Utterly amazing, not to be missed!'
(Sunday Express) ★ ★ ★ ★

Reviews from the 2006 performance of Lost and Found Orchestra at Brighton Festival.

'What hit me hardest is its sheer poetry. But nobody could miss the entertainment value here, and its world premiere on Saturday night was greeted with a full-throated ovation.' (The Financial Times)
'It is exhilarating and strangely beautiful... unpretentious, infectious and great fun.' (The Guardian)
'The score is highly accomplished, moving from moments of intense drama and slapstick comedy to breath-taking poignancy. Full of surprises, this symphony of unexplored sound is a triumph on every level.' (The Argus)
'A celebration of energy, rhythm and inventiveness. A sprawling, exhilarating event...it's already unmissable.'
(The Independent)
'You might be reminded of Philip Glass and Michael Nyman, of early Art of Noise, Tom Waits or even Björk at her most bonkers. Lost and Found Orchestra is its own thing, though. It might be all sound and energetic frenzy, signifying little, but it's the opposite of rubbish - and, after such a triumphant try-out, we haven't heard the last of it.'
(The Daily Telegraph)
'Stupendous, is the best word to describe the opening concert of the Brighton Festival. Cresswell participates as well as conducts the ensemble, ending with a tremendous climax which had a packed concert hall on its feet...a sheer delight.'
(The Stage)

performance shot