LISTENING to tin cans being banged for an hour and 45 minutes might sound like a headache-inducing nightmare.

So I was slightly sceptical about the production of Stomp, performed at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, and wondered how bashing household items and junk could keep an audience entertained for an entire show.

We've all seen Stomp's Coke advert, and it is undeniably impressive, but how could the cast transform this unique form of music making into a full-length theatre production?

The show began with one member of the cast gently sweeping a broom across the stage floor.

As others joined him, they all beat their brushes on the ground in perfect unison.

Dust clouded around them and bristles flew across the stage, coming away because of the sheer ferocity with which they banged their 'instruments'.

The fierce determination and concentration on their faces had me transfixed, as the noise reached a deafening crescendo.

I was hooked.

Various items were used for each piece, including match boxes, rubber rings, basketballs and even kitchen sinks, in a hilarious section that had the audience in stitches.

Every sound was accounted for, not a single noise was out of place and the exceptional rhythm, coordination and fitness of the cast was unbelievable.

Comedy was regularly inserted into the show, providing some light-hearted fun and humour in between the intense thunderous percussion.

The highlight for me was a simple, but incredibly effective piece using lighters.

The cast stood in the dark in a straight line across the stage, flicking their lighters on and off to a perfectly rehearsed beat.

It was mesmerising, and must have taken hours of practice to perfect.

The audience participation was fun and made us all realise just how talented the cast of Stomp are when we struggled to repeat a relatively simple rhythm.

Many of the pieces started off with the tiniest of noises, such as the scrunching of a plastic bag, before building into an almighty roar of noise which consumed the auditorium.

Who knew a range of bags could make such an incredible sound?

We were listening to an orchestra of instruments never heard before, opening our ears to sounds you never knew were possible from such ordinary objects.

It was creative, ingenious and extremely clever.

The show was also visually exciting - there was sword-type fighting with sticks, somersaults and performers stomping across the stage elevated on bins attached to skates.

As the cast reached a thunderous finale, I couldn't believe that an hour and 45 minutes had passed so quickly.

The show was a triumph and I joined everyone on their feet to applaud what was a thoroughly entertaining, inspiring and original performance.

Box office: 02380 711811, mayflower.org.uk