Yamato Drummers

A colossal six feet tall drum kicked things off with a bang, and the ensuing loud rhythmic fun was relentless. The nine-piece Japanese drumming ensemble was an effective mix of impressive technical skill, comedic timing, and silly pageantry. The second piece stood out technically, with delicate rattling and different pitches, while later on a cymbal-throwing contest combined with an amusing grunting duel drew hearty laughter from the enthusiastic crowd. After an hour and a half, I did yearn for a sound that wasn’t boom, thunk, clap or clang, but it was an exhilarating and fun performance.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 18 February 2013

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