From the bang of the first drum decimating the quiet hush, it is obvious that Yamoto’s Chanbara is something special. Capturing the new age ideology and traditionalism that is the essence of Japan, it is a vibrant, flamboyant extravaganza that leaves you wanting more.
Visually exhilarating, the choreography is outstanding. Weaving in and out of each other like a rich tapestry, it’s goose bump inducing stuff. Chanbara keeps you interested from start to finish, probably because of the variety on offer, as there are many moods that descend over the audience in the short hour. Its pieces range from the hypnotic beauty of the umbrella dancers, the boundless energy of the martial artists to the casual humour of the physical comedians.
The music is bold and powerful, reverberating throughout the venue with thunderous force. A backdrop of talented instrumentalists creates an authentic Japanese flavour. Seeing the drummers grin and cheer each other on as they perform their dexterous manoeuvres shows they are having a lot of fun- and so is the audience!
It’s almost saddening as they begin to wrap everything up, ending with a stunning encore. If you have any interest at all in Japanese music, culture or just seeing a great show - get your ticket now!
5/5
Alisdair Murray
