The high-energy group Yamato have certainly built up quite the reputation for their explosive drumbeats and it's easy to see why. Their show is a celebration of Taiko drumming, a centuries-old tradition in Japanese culture, while also fusing it with a modern, energetic take and they do it spectacularly.
Their latest performance at the Peacock Theatre is entitled Hito no Chikara, or The Power of Human Strength in English. And it's definitely a celebration of strength and stamina. From beginning to end, each of the eight members on stage demonstrates power, passion and resilience.
What you see before you is intense physical endurance as they dance, spin and jump around on stage while continuously drumming different-sized drums with full force. One of the standout sequences is when some of the drummers beat their respective drums with maximum force while also doing sit-ups. It's astonishing to witness. One of the drummers takes off his top and with their backs to the audience, you can see every muscle on their back and arms move as he fulfills each beat and each sit up.
They make it look so easy, smiling and laughing throughout, but even they admit they need a breather with a 20-minute interval. And somehow they return to the stage completely energised with more explosive sequences.
The tempo throughout is so varied from the most delicate of beat to the most ferocious, reverberating through the theatre, bringing it to life. Each sequence is an exciting crescendo and what is so clever with this group is that the overall performance is also one giant crescendo leaving the audience with no other choice but to deliver a well-deserved standing ovation.
It's extraordinary to even think how they have choreographed this together; every single drumbeat is in sync and every drummer works in tandem. The saying goes: Teamwork makes the dream work, and this is an inspiring example of what can be achieved together.
Don't expect to just sit in silence for the duration. You'll find yourself dancing to their beats in your seat. They add humour to their stage presence, which will have you laughing out loud and prepare for some audience interaction and participation, which leaves you feeling like you're a member of their team.
When you watch them in action, you know they're absolutely exhausted by the end, but you're left wanting more. Yamato are performing until May 30 and this is a performance you should not miss!
Review: Sunita Jaswal