Yamato, The Wings of Phoenix Review ★★★★★

You haven’t really heard drumming until you’ve sat through a performance by Yamato, The Drummers of Japan. The range of sound they elicit from their varied taiko drums is mind-boggling; and you can only marvel at their athleticism and the indomitable energy they pour into their show.

Th current show, The Wings of Phoenix, is perhaps so titled to mark a rebirth on the company’s 30th anniversary after the constraints of the pandemic, which may have been partly responsible for their five-year absence from London; it closely follows the format of the previous one, Passion - and why not, if the formula works so well?

The curtain goes up on a crepuscular stage lit by flickering paper lanterns. At its centre is a massive drum placed on a raised platform against a backcloth designed in swirls of red and orange.One deep bang of the drum opens proceedings; an eerie melody rises from two flutes. There’s an almost religious atmosphere, as if to remind the audience that taiko drums are also a key part of Shinto religious ceremonies.

Soon, though, the rest of the 10-strong cast of men and women join in, banging a lively rhythm on drums of different sizes, each with its specific sound. They don’t just bang their drums: they put their entire bodies into the performance, their arms executing well-coordinated movements, hips swaying to the rhythm, feet occasionally stamping, shouting encouragement to each other.

The show proper is now well and truly underway, all its explosive energy overflowing the stage. Visually it’s all a blur of colour, the long open coats they wear over their jeans blending tones of red, blue and gold, the highly polished shells of their drums gleaming dark brown.

Fascinating as all these drums are, pride of place must go to the gigantic odaiko, which is hewn from a 400-year-old tree, its basso profondo voice unexpectedly versatile: if struck gently it sounds like the rumble of distant thunder; if hit more decisively it emits a bellow that reverberates through your body.

Yamako Drummers. Photo: Wolfgang Koch

The performers’ fitness and stamina are almost superhuman, the result of intensive daily training, which involves starting every day by running 10 kms.

Still, some breaks into the high-octane drumming are required; at intervals other instruments take centre stage: besides the flutes, they play the koto, which looks a little like a horizontal harp, the shamisen – a kind of long-necked banjo, the three strings of which are hit with a big plectrum – and the small bronze cymbals called chappa.

There’s also a lot of comedy, and audience participation by means of clapping and shouting is encouraged, orchestrated by the very engaging, mohawk-coiffed Masaya Futaki.

In short, Yamato’s The Wings of Phoenix combines extraordinary skill with intense entertainment value, and is one of the most engaging family shows in London at the moment.