Pandemonium: the Lost and Found Orchestra
Encyclopedia
Pandemonium: the Lost and Found Orchestra is a music based physical theatre
piece created by the founders of the percussive theatre show Stomp
, Luke Cresswell
and Steve McNicholas
.
Its origins lie in the theatrical conceits of Stomp and the film/tv soundtrack work of Cresswell/McNicholas. The basic premise was to create an entire orchestra
, replacing each section with invented instruments and found objects, bringing the elements of physical theatre and silent comedy from Stomp
to an eclectic orchestral concert.
It was initially commissioned for the 2006 Brighton Festival
, which was celebrating its 40th anniversary, re-appeared at the Sydney Festival
in the Sydney Opera House
the following year. After playing the Royal Festival Hall
it had a short run at the Carré Theatre in Amsterdam
in early 2009. Reworked and renamed for 2010 performances in the USA, what was formerly known as "The Lost and Found Orchestra" or "LFO" became the show, "Pandemonium", as performed by the LFO.
Physical theatre
Physical theatre is used to describe any mode of performance that pursues storytelling or drama through primarily and secondarily physical and mental means. There are several quite distinct but indistinct traditions of performance which all describe themselves using the term "physical theatre",...
piece created by the founders of the percussive theatre show Stomp
Stomp (dance troupe)
Stomp is a percussion group that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance.-History and performances:...
, Luke Cresswell
Luke Cresswell
Luke Cresswell is a co-creator of the dance percussion act Stomp. He is a self-taught percussionist and one-time member of British busking/cabaret musical group Pookiesnackenburger...
and Steve McNicholas
Steve McNicholas
Steve McNicholas is an English director, composer, actor and co-founder of dance percussion act Stomp.McNicholas has worked with Cliff Hanger Theatre Co., 7:84, Covent Garden Community Theatre, Pookiesnackenburger Buskers and the Flying Pickets. His work in television includes Rowan Atkinson's Mr...
.
Its origins lie in the theatrical conceits of Stomp and the film/tv soundtrack work of Cresswell/McNicholas. The basic premise was to create an entire orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, replacing each section with invented instruments and found objects, bringing the elements of physical theatre and silent comedy from Stomp
Stomp (dance troupe)
Stomp is a percussion group that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance.-History and performances:...
to an eclectic orchestral concert.
It was initially commissioned for the 2006 Brighton Festival
Brighton Festival
The Brighton Festival is an annual arts festival which takes place in the city of Brighton and Hove in England each May. It was founded in 1966, and is the largest multi-art form festival in England...
, which was celebrating its 40th anniversary, re-appeared at the Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival is Australia's largest and most attended annual cultural event running every January since it was first held in 1977. Its program features around 80 events including contemporary and classical music, dance, circus, drama, visual arts and artist talks...
in the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
the following year. After playing the Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
it had a short run at the Carré Theatre in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in early 2009. Reworked and renamed for 2010 performances in the USA, what was formerly known as "The Lost and Found Orchestra" or "LFO" became the show, "Pandemonium", as performed by the LFO.