Review: Crimson Sky, TaikOz

TaikOz Photo: Karen Steains

The beating of drums is just one irresistible attraction of Crimson Sky, the exciting TaikOz production that premiered at the Glen Street Theatre  last night. The composition is a dedication to the forms of Wadaiko and the performers and their passion on stage comes from their deep desire to create new music while providing a rhythmic spark for the audience.

Last night they accomplished this as the two-part session swayed its audience into a lucid trance.

The evening is unique for several reasons. Firstly, the aestheticism of the stage is designed to be equal with instruments on all sides. It feels rigid at first, too organised and stale. This feeling changes with the opening number, “Of The Fields”. Six performers wear Slung Drums, an instrument dedicated to intricate rhythmic play.

TaikOz Photo: Karen Steains

What followed was a dynamic performance full of colour and excitement.

It added to the experience that the key players on stage were not afraid to share a laugh or a smile with each other and their now calm and soothed audience. Their energy and strength was a beautiful dedication to the music that seemed to be emitting from within.

Their motto, introduced by Satsuki Odamura at the beginning of the evening, is evident throughout each performance: “To beat with every muscle, bone and sinew in our bodies, with an open and joyous spirit.”

During “Exploration”, a piece inspired by the rhythms of Senegalese singer Yousou N’dour and the score in the film Zatoichi, I was so lost in the melodic drumming that rose and fell, shouted and whispered, and the silent focus of the performers that when the lights for intermission came on, I was not quite ready to return to reality.

This is the powerful effect this group can create with their music. Throughout “Toward the Crimson Sky”, the second and most muscular part of the evening, the collective movement of the audience seemed to sway subconsciously with the sensuality and intensity of the music.

This ingeniously beautiful and indescribably enjoyable piece, composed by Ian Cleworth and created from a Haiku written by Miura Yuzura, is presented in three parts.

Finally, we are introduced to the solo bass koto, a sound that cuts through the room in the most dramatic fashion. Low gongs follow in part two and the music dips and dives harmoniously creating a rippling effect  through the music and the audience as well.

I highly recommend the performance I experienced last night. It was overwhelmingly satisfying and unlike anything I’ve seen for quite some time. TaikOz brought a Crimson Sky to an otherwise gloomy night. Treat yourself to the same change of heart.

Crimson Sky is on until September 7 at Glen Street Theatre, corner Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose.