From street buskers to references on The Simpsons, the rise and rise of Stomp has been phenomenal. Having debuted at the Brighton Festival 20 years ago, the rhythm-based theatrical extravaganza has toured continuously for the past 16 years, playing to more than 15 million people in 48 different countries.

“We had no idea it would be so big,” says co-founder and co-director Luke Cresswell.

“We had ambitions that we would try to get it to Paris and New York, but we never thought it would keep going… it has been in New York for 17 years now! I think there’s a frustrated drummer in everyone.” Born and bred in Brighton, Cresswell was fomerly a street entertainer, performing and busking alongside musicians in band Pookiesnackenburger when his lack of percussion prompted him to experiment with everyday items.

“I could only carry one drum, so I started to use whatever I could find, be it a dustbin, lamp-post or bike,” explains Luke. “That in itself made the busking theatrical – as a street performer, the more inventive you can be, the more interested people will be and you’ll make more money.”

Joining forces with Steve McNicholas, who was working in theatre group Cliff Hanger, the duo headed to the Edinburgh Fringe where they learnt the theatrical and comedic elements Stomp is famed for.

“At the time Stomp exploded, theatre was very staid – a particular audience would see theatre, a particular audience would see bands – and I think Stomp crossed them,” says Cresswell. “We’re very lucky that the show has three basic elements; rhythm, humour and movement. There’s no language barrier, so we can play all over the world – its accessibility makes it open to anybody, regardless of age or background.”

Although based around the seemingly simple idea of creating a beat using everyday items and rubbish, it’s the company’s passion for movement that took the idea to the next level.

“You can make rhythm from absolutely anything – it then becomes ‘how can you get interest from that?’ If you played with a bicycle wheel, it might be interesting for two minutes, but would it be interesting for ten?” says Cresswell.

“To make it interesting, give ten people ten bicycle wheels and get them moving. I was always interested in choreography. The initial idea was one person with a broom… then two people, then three… then they’d swap the brooms and make sound.”

The show is constantly evolving, with new solos and subtle changes to the programme added regularly. The Brighton shows, inspired by the large-scale Las Vegas Stomp Out Loud show, will see at least two new routines performed on stage.

“We’ve got a new piece nicknamed ‘doughnuts’,” says Cresswell. “They’re these huge tractor inner-tubes, maybe six or eight foot tall. They look great, sound great when you hit them, and you can wear them like giant tutus.

“There’s another routine with paint cans – it involves lots of things being thrown and caught, but the performers are throwing and catching in rhythm… it’s a bit like juggling and drumming at the same time, which is great to see!”

*Starts 7.30pm (Tues-Sat) and 2.30pm (Sat and Sun), tickets from £15.

Call 01273 709709.