We sat down with Taro Harasaki, lead performer, of Drum Tao the internationally acclaimed Japanese drumming ensemble coming to Peacock Theatre from Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th March.

This will be Drum TAO’s first time performing in London—how does it feel to bring The Dream to a new audience at the Peacock Theatre, and what are you most excited about sharing with the UK?

First of all, I’m extremely happy and excited that Drum TAO can finally fulfill its long-held dream of performing in London for the first time! It has been 21 years since we first set foot in the UK at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2004, and it has taken a long time to reach London. But now, the time has finally come to captivate the people of London! I can’t wait to perform in London!

Drum TAO is known for blending traditional Japanese drumming with contemporary elements like choreography and modern visuals. How do you personally approach balancing these traditional roots with more modern interpretations in your performance?

Drum TAO aims to create a one-of-a-kind entertainment show centered around traditional Japanese drums called Taiko drums—something that no one else can replicate. You could even call it the “Japanese version of Cirque du Soleil.
While showcasing the elegance and spirit of traditional Japanese culture, we also pursue modern beauty and excitement. This unique fusion allows TAO’s performances to captivate even the younger generations, who might otherwise shy away from traditional arts.
It’s a seamless blend of timeless coolness and contemporary style—naturally coming together to create a thrilling experience.

The Dream has toured across Japan, Singapore, and Europe—how has the audience reception varied in different countries, and does that influence how you perform on stage?

People outside of Japan tend to express their emotions more openly, so the excitement after the last song in the show is always off the charts. In contrast, Japanese audiences are generally shy and more reserved in their reactions—or so you’d think. But after watching a TAO performance, even they break out in a level of enthusiasm that seems almost uncharacteristic for them!
I have no doubt that the people of London will be among the most excited audiences in the world. Their energy will fuel TAO’s performance even more, and I’m already looking forward to seeing that incredible synergy unfold!

The physical demands of taiko drumming are incredible. Can you share a bit about the training and preparation required to maintain the level of athleticism and precision Drum TAO is known for?

We gather at 5:30 in the morning and go through an intense training routine, including a 12km mountain run, strength training, and nonstop drumming practice for an hour—all of which would probably be beyond your imagination! (Haha)
If I had known about this training before joining TAO, I would have definitely never joined! (LOL)

Drum TAO incorporates a variety of traditional Japanese instruments alongside the wadaiko drums, like the shinobue and koto. How do these instruments shape the emotional landscape of The Dream?

Melodic instruments have the power to deeply stir human emotions. In Japan, we call this “kinsen ni fureru” (touching the heartstrings), which is a different kind of appeal from that of percussion and rhythm instruments.
In particular, Japanese melodic instruments such as the shinobue (bamboo flute), koto (Japanese harp), and shamisen(three-stringed lute) evoke the beauty of Japan’s landscapes, painting vivid imagery before our eyes. Although we are called “Drum” TAO, our performances cannot be told without melodic instruments.

Over the years, Drum TAO has represented Japan on a global stage, earning millions of fans worldwide. What message or feeling do you hope audiences take away after experiencing The Dream for the first time?

Above all, I want people to watch, feel, and experience our show with a free and open mind, without overthinking anything. Whether you’re interested in Japan and its culture, love music and entertainment regardless of your background, or simply feel stuck in your daily life—this show is for everyone. I want all kinds of people to come and experience it freely. During our recent performance in India, one of the local staff members we worked with told me, “TAO’s show is something everyone must see at least once in their lifetime!” That says it all!