Yamato the Drummers of Japan Perform at Ruth Eckerd Hall

Energetic performers pounded drums of varying sizes with an enthusiastic vigor, each stroke creating a booming thunder that went resonating throughout the theatre. With muscular arms, and strong bodies, they put every inch of their physicality into each separate drum beat.
Yamato plays homage to the Japanese tradition of Matsuri, (the source of Japanese mythology and performing arts and the gathering that traditionally occurred whenever drums were played.), but is perhaps more reminiscent of contemporary rhythmic experimental theatre productions like Stomp or Blue Man Group.
The performance varied between intense and thunderous group numbers, and comedic musical vignettes, creating a smooth and even tempo throughout the show. The performers are obviously well trained, and the show was flawless, which was especially apparent in a number which required six drummers to play in complete unison.
The vignettes were especially effective as they combined clown technique (where humor is shown through physicality, as opposed to “Circus Clowns”, think Lucille Ball’s gracefully awkward physical comedy, rather than the greasepaint and big shoes of Bozo the Clown) with flawless musical and comedic timing, and managed to create a story only through physical movement and musical beat. Every emotion was conveyed through only these two mediums.
Yamato originated in 1993 in Asaku, Japan. The group began performing internationally in 1994, and won numerous accolades at the Fridge Festival in Edinburg, Scotland.