Jan McNulty Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 UK PREMIERE YamatoChousensha - The ChallengersThe Peacock, WC2ATuesday 14 – Saturday 25 MarchPerformances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm; Saturday matinee performances at 2.30pm; Sunday performances at 2pm & 6.30pmTickets: £15 - £38 (under 16s half price, maximum two half price child tickets per full paying adult)Ticket Office: 020 7863 8222 or www.peacocktheatre.comAlmost 20 years since their West End debut in 1998, high-energy performance group Yamto Drummers of Japan return to The Peacockfrom Tuesday 14 – Saturday 25 March with the UK premiere of Chousensha - The Challengers bringing with them the ancient art of Japanese Taiko drumming, which is used traditionally in Japanese Shinto rituals.Yamato brings new life to this ancient art form with their innovative showswhilst paying respect to its rich history. In a display of strength and ferocious skill Chousensha takes inspiration from the drummers’ own lives and experiences, challenging their bodies and pushing them to their physical limits, using their entire bodies to produce thunderous music.Taiko drums can measure six feet in diameter, weigh up to half a tonne and require ample athleticism. The lithe and supremely confident drummers perform with bare arms and feet and with total body awareness.Yamato is a company steeped in cultural history. The name Yamato refers to the name for ancient Japan during the eighth century. The company was formed by Masaaki Ogawa in 1993 in Japan’s ancient capital, the city of Nara. Nara is now the capital of Taiko drumming and boasts over 100 Taiko drumming companies. Since the company’s first performance at the Shinto shrine festival, they have given over 3,500 performances in 53 countries and regions to 6 million people. Yamato is based in a village called Asuka and the members of the company live together in a community and create everything for the shows, from the musical compositions to the choreography and from stage and props to the bachi (the drumming sticks).Following The Peacock performances, the show will go on a UK tour:Tuesday 28 MarchInvernessEden Court01463 234234Thursday 30 MarchBrightonBrighton Dome01273 709709Friday 31MarchHigh WycombeWycombe Swan01494 512000Saturday 1 AprilTorquayPrincess Theatre Torquay0844 871 3023Monday 3 AprilColchesterMercury Theatre01206 573948Tuesday 4 AprilStoke-on-TrentVictoria Hall0844 871 7627Wednesday 5 AprilReadingThe Hexagon Theatre0118 960 6060Sunday 9 April GlasgowTheatre Royal Glasgow0844 871 7647Tuesday 11 April DurhamGala Theatre0300 026 6600Wednesday 12 AprilMalvernFestival Theatre01684 892277Thursday 13 AprilPooleLighthouse01202 280000Saturday 15 AprilTruroHall For Cornwall01872 262466Sunday 16 AprilMilton KeynesMilton Keynes Theatre0844 871 7652Wednesday 19 AprilRhylPavilion Theatre01745 330000Saturday 22 AprilFolkestoneLeas Cliff Hall01303 228600Monday 24 AprilBristolHippodrome Theatre0844 871 3012Tuesday 25 AprilOxfordNew Theatre Oxford0844 871 3020Wednesday 26 AprilGuildfordG Live01483 369350Friday 28 AprilYorkGrand Opera House0844 871 3024Saturday 29 AprilBirminghamNew Alexandra Theatre0844 871 3011Sunday 30 AprilLiverpoolEmpire Theatre0151 702 7320Monday 1 MayManchester Palace Theatre0844 871 3019 Notes to Editors:ABOUT SADLER’S WELLSSadler's Wells is a world-leading dance house, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding, the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 100 new dance works to the stage and its award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour internationally. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies, an Associate Company and three International Associate Companies. It also nurtures the next generation of talent through research and development, running the National Youth Dance Company and a range of programmes including Wild Card, New Wave Associates, Open Art Surgery and Summer University.Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 9% of its revenue from Arts Council England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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