Ichi Go Ichie: Once in a Lifetime

Waikato Times Review
What: Ichi Go Ichi - Once in a Lifetime
Who: Wa San Bon (Japan) and the Wai Taiko Drummers
When: Saturday, Feb 21
Reviewed by: Cate Prestidge
A large crowd gathered  under dubious skies on Saturday night to see this exciting show at the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival. Featuring professional Japanese Taiko Drummers Kenji Furutate and Hidenori Yura and Hamilton's own Wai Taiko, Ichi Go Ichie showcased a great mix of drumming styles.
While rain caused a few sightline problems in the first part of the programme, the audience quickly adapted and settled in to enjoy the early kumikado (group drumming) pieces by Wai Taiko which combined flute, drums and harp. They showed enthusiasm and skill and, despite the intermittent rain and a fairly casual approach by the MC, the audience was warmed up nicely when Kenji and Hidenori took the stage.
Both Japanese drummers looked and sounded impressive, combining physical strength, agility and passion as they performed with a range of bachi (sticks) and drums. The visual spectacle and sound was mesmerising and they were skilled at changing mood using pause as well as different tempo and intensity.
The second half opened up to clear skies and the audience had an uninterrupted view of the performers during their solo and duet pieces. By now we were all fans of "Hide-san" and "Kenji-chan" and a small but enthusiastic mosh pit started. This grew as all the drummers combined in an exciting finale which included a performance of fire breathing. A deserved standing ovation led to an encore - a satisfying end for this fabulous display of the art of Taiko.

For more information, visit: http://www.waitaiko.com