director Ikuo Fujitaka
performers Taro Harasaki, Junnosuke Kodani, Haruki Kawazu, Kyota Sonoda, Koki Sato, Haruto Mizuno, Takumi Azami, Ryusei Ishida, Daiki Sakai, Shima Sasaki, Ai Anekawa
lighting Ryo Harada • sound Kenichi Horiuchi
Peacock Theatre, London • 11-15.Mar.25 ★★★★
The staging is relatively simple, making the most of spinning shiny backdrops, Matrix-like outfits and clever lighting. There is also of course a dizzying array of drums, accompanied by various flutes, stringed instruments and cymbals. Performers continually switch between the instruments, taking the stage for solo pieces, duets, duels and outrageously lavish numbers in which everyone joins together to create ripples of textures, rhythms, sounds and visual shapes. The patterns are complex, and the thrilling musical synchronicity is both exacting and carefully nuanced.
They also happily play up their personalities, smiling and grandstanding to create impact as individuals within the group. And watching them live allows us to hear some of the more subtle tones in isolation, as they use a full range of methods to create seemingly endless sounds with one stick on one drum. All of this results in a show that's almost overpoweringly upbeat, both because of the nature of the music and the way the sparky performers maintain a connection with the audience. These are astonishingly skilled musicians and dancers. And at a time when we need as much happiness as we can get, their joy is infectious.
photos by Drum Tao • 11.Mar.25
