about the show The London Apollo Theatre, Hammersmith which introduced the world to the highly successful Riverdance will play host to the latest musical extravaganza in the form of blast!, an extraordinary show coming to London directly from its showcase in America. blast! is a culmination of five years of research to produce a distinctive theatrical instrumental event and will receive its world premier at the London Apollo on December 9th, 1999. blast!, produced by the Star of Indiana and Brass Theater is, quite simply, a cast of 70 young brass, percussion and visual performers brought together for a unique combination of music and theatre. Costumes are by Red or Dead, winner of the 1995, 1996 and 1997 British Street Designer of the Year Award. The company started in 1982 by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway and is now firmly established as an international designer label. Star of Indiana was founded twelve years ago in Bloomington, Indiana USA by businessman Bill Cook to benefit young people in music education. It became involved in the world of drum and bugle corps, winning the world championship in 1991. From here Brass Theater developed, combining a musical theatre of brass and percussion music with dance and exciting visuals on stage. The show will consist of 40 brass players, 12 percussionists and 16 visual ensemble. Although mainly a troupe of young Americans, there will be 6 brass players from the Royal Academy of Music who successfully auditioned for a part in the show. Perfectly executed music is performed as members march in high-speed, intricately choreographed drill routines. The visual excitement is further advanced by members performing synchronized drills using rifles, sabers and flags, all twirled and tossed in perfect unison. The resulting spectacle is both thrilling and highly entertaining. With the performance lasting just under two hours, all cast members need to possess great athletic agility due to fast and demanding acrobatic movements. Trampolines, poles and bars to swing from, platforms to leap up and down and ramps to surround the audience are just some of the props required for this frenetic extravaganza. Original music as well as classical pieces are performed as ensemble pieces with selected artists performing complex solo pieces. about the show  |  auditions  |  current news Copyright 1999. Star of Indiana, Inc. All Rights Reserved.