Kodo
Drumming troupe Kodo, whose name means ‘heartbeat’, were formed in 1981, a theatrical drumming spectacular and their current collaboration is with the avant-garde internationally acclaimed French-Canadian director Robert Lepage. This amazing show marries ancient Japanese culture with the 21st century, and it has just come to Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.
Description
The instruments on stage appear simple at first glance, but they demand physical strength and skill – with drums and percussion instruments of all shapes and sizes ranging from the mighty O-Daiko, a huge drum centre stage to very small bells. The sound of the O-Daiko – the largest of the impressive family of drums that the ensemble brings to the stage and the largest drum of all taiko is truly impressive. Some O-Daiko drums are so large they are too big to move and they are made from a single piece of wood. To play it requires the utmost concentration and the vibrations reverberated throughout the theatre, a captivating experience!
The troupe appeared very serious until the end of the performance when there were a few smiles. Talk about Repetitive Strain Injury – apart from the physicality required, these guys must have a bucket load of mental strength to produce the continuous drum rolls without relief for sometimes several minutes a time, only reducing or increasing the level of noise with minute changes to the force that the drums were played with.
Analysis
The discipline required, the sharpness, every single move choreographed to perfection, every facial expression, such intensity – it was fascinating and extremely compelling. You seriously didn’t know where to look first, so much happening on one stage. A small bell would ring, then percussion instruments that sounded like rain falling then humming and singing – from which area of the stage was the noise emanating?
Of course, the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall lends itself so well to this kind of act with wonderful acoustics and just the right size of venue so that everyone in the theatre could see the passion in the musicians’ faces clearly.
Some interludes were beautiful and soulful. Sometimes reminding me of Irish music, sometimes overtly Japanese and at other times reminiscent of those relaxing soundtracks of monks singing that play gently in the background whilst you have a body massage then suddenly – bang! The music would swell from the humming of buzzing insects, growing in intensity and sound until the musicians were pummelling the drums so quickly that the eye cannot actually catch when or where the drumstick makes contact with the skin of the drum, just amazing.
You could feel the pounding of the drums within each bone of your body, as though you were a tuning fork! The music for the majority is loud, very loud yet in an organic, natural way.
Both male and female members of Kodo are so muscular, their bodies reflect the level of strength and fitness required to become so proficient on these magnificent instruments. The theatre was a little quieter than usual which was understandable under the circumstances with the fear of Covid-19 but the audience showed their appreciation and gave two standing ovations.
Summary
The match of Kodo and Robert Lepage truly provided a visual and auditory art experience to remember, a celebration of music, life and physicality.
Overall Rating: 9/10 – Outstanding
