“You’ll run out of superlatives before they run out of energy”
An instrument 400 years in the fine-tuning, the humble Japanese taiko drum takes centre stage here, and by centre stage we mean front, back left, right and everywhere in between. The nine-strong troupe of drummers dial up the energy to 100 and never really dial it back as they proudly beat their striking glossy black and blood red instruments. YAMATO is a truly astonishing feat of human stamina, athleticism and finesse, harnessing the power of percussion and launching it straight at the rapt audience.
Premiering their “Power of Human Strength” program in the UK, the concept is that drumming as a human act becomes the counterfoil to a rejection of AI and digital interference in human connection. Artistic Director and founder Masa Ogawa combines physical prowess with comedy and cultural pride. The staging makes excellent use of levels to deploy the various sized drums to great effect, combining spotlights to emphasise the size of the largest ones, called the odaiko, which emit the most incredibly deep bass tones. Set design consists large backdrop depicting of a black mitsudomoe (three interlocking swirls forming a circular pattern denoting the interplay of heaven, earth and humanity).
In truth, this is more than a performance; it’s an experience. The speed at which the nine drummers are able to hit every note in perfect time is nothing short of spectacular, often starting a composition slowly and softly before building up to a powerhouse crescendo of rhythm and vigor.
Not content to be perceived as a one-trick pony, YAMATO also deploys multi-instrumentalists when the drums get too intense. Use of the shamisen stringed instrument and a bamboo flute provides a particularly memorable number in which five of the musicians strum frenetically downstage whilst three drummers pound the taikos upstage above them. It almost feels a waste to be sat down and not be forming a moshpit, such is the level of high octane on display.
The audience, varied in age, gender and nationality, genuinely appeared in awe. YAMATO provides such a unique experience of an instrument still important within Japanese culture. They have created an evening that unites all of these people without using words, transcending spoken text for human understanding and a playful knowing nod to their own expertise. The drums become their own characters; small ones with trippy, playful high notes; humongous ones, immovable with a bellowing bass that rips through the auditorium, causing genuine gasps. The drummers know it too- therei expressions portraying the fun they too are having, often commenting with a wink at how sweaty it is or how strong they are, mixing playfulness with sincerity.
This is an all-round crowd pleaser of a show, with real heart and talent from Japan so popular they keep getting invited back to the Peacock Theatre. It is abundantly clear there is nothing like this show available anywhere. Not the stamina, the personality or the gym membership budget. Every drummer is at the absolute top of their game, in peak fitness, bursting with pride for their instrument and their show. This show is spectacular and thrilling regardless of age and not to be missed; a perfect example of the human connection through shared experience of a fleeting moment in time that cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence.
YAMATO: Hito No Chikara is on at the Peacock Theatre, London until 30th May 2026. Tickets here.