Yamato Drummers new show UK premiere

Date: 2008 February 07 05:37

Posted by Joe

The Yamato Drummers of Japan will be performing the UK premiere of their new show Shin-on in London from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 30th of March. Fans of the traditional Taiko drumming will certainly be in for a treat, and if you haven't seen such a performance before, this is a rare chance to see such a special show. Performances will be in the Peacock Theatre, and as always with popular events, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

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Press release as follows:

Yamato Drummers of Japan

UK PREMIERE
Shin-on (Heartbeat)
Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street (off Kingsway), London WC2
Wednesday 19 - Sunday 30 March 2008
Tickets: £13 - £36
Ticket office: 0844 412 4300
www.sadlerswells.com

'If you're looking for inspiring drumming and infectious dance rhythms, you'll be disappointed. This is much, much more' The Guardian

Ten years on from their West End debut in 1998, high-energy performance group Yamato Drummers of Japan return to the Peacock Theatre from Wednesday 19 - Sunday 30 March 2008 bringing with them the beautiful, ancient art of Japanese Taiko drumming.

The UK premiere of their new show Shin-on (Heartbeat) sees ten performers display their breathtaking expertise on 20 drums, varying from huge barrel-like Odaiko drums to hand-held instruments. Exquisite bronze cymbals, Shami-sen drums, daring vocals and bamboo flutes are also used to create a beautiful kaleidoscope of sound which builds from delicate tapping to explosions of thundering beats.

Taiko drumming is a physical as well as musical spectacle - the drums can measure six feet in diameter and require ample athleticism. The lithe and supremely confident drummers perform with bare arms and feet and with total body awareness they strike their instruments with elegant but powerful movements.

Yamato is a company steeped in cultural history: the name Yamato refers to the name for ancient Japan during the eighth century. The company was formed by Masaaki Ogawa in 1993 in Japan's ancient capital, the city of Nara. Nara is now the capital of Taiko drumming and boasts over one hundred Taiko drumming companies. Since their inception the Yamato drummers have delighted audiences all over the world with the skill and energy of their performances which combine theatrical panache with the ancient traditions of Japanese drumming.

The Yamato Drummers of Japan were last seen at the Peacock Theatre in March 2006 when they performed Kami-Nari (Thunder) to critical acclaim.

'We put our souls into these unusual instruments, whose sounds stir the hearts of people everywhere, and our performances are infused with the idea that the drumbeat, like the heartbeat is the very pulse of life'. Masaaki Ogawa.

Performances: Wednesday 19 - Sunday 30 March 2008, Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm;

Saturday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 4pm