There was DRUM TAO performance at Tryon Festival Theatre on Wednesday, March 11. The performers were from Japan, and their impressive performance using “Wadaiko-drums”, Japanese flutes and harps made the performance perfect.
Written by Aejin Shin
Composition
The template said, 'DRUM TAO was awarded several prizes including Outstanding Cultural Contribution form Oita prefecture'. In addition, in February 2016, their off-Broadway show in New York ended up with a great success. After watching the performance, I thought they deserved the awards. They played drums of various sizes, ranging from small handy ones to big ones which performers can even ride on. Also, the way the drums were played was brilliant. Standing between the drums, people played multiple drums of various sizes together. In addition, their movements were so in sync with each other and well-organized that I felt it was a masterpiece performance.
Interesting element
Their performance had two distinct factors which differentiate them from any other performance. The first was that the performers tried to communicate with the audience. They skillfully bought out applause and responses from the audience. They put their hands on their ears and made a listening gesture again and again until the audience gives them back a round of applause. Also, through catered performance pieces that Americans can relate such Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk dancing in between performance, the American audience could relate to the performance more.
Secondly, the performance was full of humors. With all the lights off, the performers wore fluorescent yellow-colored clothes and presented techniques that made them looked like one person teleporting around the stage. It also drew laughter from the audience by making intentional mistakes and putting in humor elements from time to time.
The performance was a combination of traditional Japanese instruments and modern choreography. Performers created performances that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of one's age and gender by utilizing humors and eye-catching performance. I would like to recommend this performance to everyone!