OK, so I thought this was going to be a smallish affair and I’d have time for a coffee at the venue before the show. NO! I got there 30 minutes before the start and there were at least 400 of the 500 audience members already queueing in front of me. So if you want a good seat down the front, I’d suggest arriving at about lunchtime!
The troupe Tao is from Japan, formed in 1993 and first performed overseas in 2004 at the Edinburgh Fringe. They now spend over half the year performing around the world. Taiko drumming is a traditional art/religious form in Japan.
The show is a spectacular series of drumming (with flute accompaniment plus a few other instruments). There are 11 people in the cast of the show (3 female) and all get a chance at the front of the stage. The amount of drums used in this show is staggering and I’d hate to think of their excess baggage costs. The two huge drums at the back stayed for the whole show and there were dozens rolled out for each piece.
The fire and energy of the performers was amazing as they played their instruments and raced about on the stage. The instrument changes were smooth with hardly a break between pieces. The playing was excellent and the audience gave them a standing ovation at the end of the show. Anyone else consider it a little strange that we thank a percussion group by clapping? Just me? Oh well.
So if you love drumming and want to see an excellent and powerful show, I can definitely recommend this. You can also buy CD’s (£15) and DVDs (£20) after the show and even have them signed by one of the cast. I’d suggest this is a good idea or they’ll never be able to get the plane fares back to japan.
Visit the Fringe website for bookings details.