Review: Hito no Chikara – The Power of Human Strength, Peacock Theatre

One lone performer on a raised stage. Baton raised. Silence. BOOM. The sound reverberates in our bodies, the audience look up and hold their breath as one. And so, Hito no Chikara – The Power of Human Strength begins. And what an extraordinary experience it is.  

The Taiko, outside of Japan, refers to any of the Japanese drums called Wadaiko, used in both Japanese folk and classical music. They vary in size and they are used to magnificent effect in the latest show from Yamato. They are a small troupe, comprising both sexes, dressed in traditional costume, the men bare-chested. After the force of the opening number, the lead male performer comes to the front of the stage to introduce themselves. They are based in Asuka-mura Nara Prefecture which is known by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan and they are here to share their work. His English is not very good he says, with a grin. Except of course it is and his good-natured humour is infectious and infiltrates much of the show establishing an easy rapport with the spectators. 

This tour has been created to confront a world shaped by technology with human spirit, resilience and passion and that it does in spades. The backdrop displays an ever-evolving series of shapes and images, in a celestial-like design. Clearly computer generated in a nod to the theme of the show, it is a perfect foil to the energy and nuance of the musicians.

The stage features more than 40 taiko drums, each with its own unique character and sound. The largest, crafted from a 400-year-old tree, measures nearly two metres wide and weighs 500 kg. 

The intensity of each number is astonishing: the artists dripping with sweat at the end of each lengthy piece. The surprising variation and softness, from such powerful percussion instruments is striking: the choreography intricate, and the range fascinating. At one point some of the largest of the Taiko are lifted up and held for the length of the routine whilst the instrument is being beaten furiously: oh, for that arm strength! But there is also lots of humour: a crescendo of small cymbals in perfectly arched synchronicity chatter to the audience; pseudo competitions are created in musical playoffs, and mock battles between drummers play out using different sized drums. We lap up every moment of it. 

This is a deeply physical experience; an ongoing conversation between music and spectator where the physical pulse hits your solus plexus. Two young girls behind us are mesmerised, grinning from ear to ear, and continue to act out the beat between themselves in the interval. A deeply inclusive experience, the explosive energy, thumping rhythms, and infectious humour of the players transcends any physical impairment.

And in a further demonstration of human relationship and connection we are encouraged to join in with a call and response section at the end and respond as one: arms lifted; bodies flooded with the thumping energy created. To my knowledge that’s the first time I have had a conversation with a drum.

Artistic Director Masa Ogawa
Music Composer Masa Ogawa
Lighting Designer Masa Ogawa
Costume Designer Akiko Ogawa
Production Manager Chisako Ninomiya
Technical Manager Naoki Ekihiro
Drummers: Mika Miyazaki, Marika Nito, Kenta Ono, Naoki Ekihiro, Nene Miura
Jo Nakamura, Daisuke Jonai, Tatsuya Iwaki, Wakaba Sudani

Hito no Chikara plays at Peacock Theatre until Wednesday 20 May