sam.txt

http://www.nightnews.net/fringe2008.htm#samurai

Samurai Spirit - Kamui
venue :: Zoo Southside
see links :: http://www.k-kamui.com/e/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLjN11RyG1g
category :: Dance & Physical Theatre
Reviewed date :: 22 08 08

Review: This was a well-attended show in the main auditorium over 
at Zoo Southside by 'Kamui,' an 'authentic sword performance' troupe
from Japan, led by Mr. Tetsuro Shimaguchi. The opening starts with
thunder and heartbeats, lots of very fast action with glinting 
blades lit by spotlights and has a strong 'Seven Samurai (Akira
Kurosawa)' and spaghetti western feel to the proceedings. Of course
Mr. Tetsuro Shimaguchi has choreographed fight scenes for the 
Quentin Tarantino movie "Kill Bill Vol. I" and appeared in other
movies featuring sword performance so his influences may well 
include all of these. This certainly accounts for the 'Kill Bill'
dark suits worn by 'Kamui' in some of the set piece displays. The
furious action is pretty constant and if the audience have come for
'blood and thunder' they are not disappointed. 'Kamui' work their
way through their traditional arsenal, as swords and spears give 
way to pike staffs and a change of pace comes from a pretty display
with parasols. There is a display on how to sheathe and unsheathe 
a two-handed sword, action with fans and no less lethal wooden 
practice swords. 'Kamui's' art is one in which life and death was
decided in a moment and without hesitation in previous centuries. 
After Kamui's stunningly successful Fringe 2007 'Chambara' show, the
theme for Fringe 2008 is 'the soul of the Japanese samurai.' The 
action in this is endless and the opponents are seemingly 
inexhaustible. The set piece display which worked best for me in 
terms of movement, choreography, lighting and music, used wooden 
swords and staves about mid way through the show. Otherwise, the 
best individual part of the whole show was a short tableau about 
defending a 'lady' which relied on theatrical narrative to set the
context for the action displays, one in which there were no final 
winners. This production despite its excellent staging and displays,
could well benefit from more theatrical or other content to string 
the set pieces together. The audience participation and the later 
clowning elements, though well handled may break the pace of the 
show but also leave it looking a little disjointed. The light humour
towards the end worked well and the routine about the 'dim witted' 
student has a point, underlying the consequences of failure and the
grim nerve you probably need to play these swordplay games for real.
The end of the show has 'Kamui' doing their thing in dark suits in 
energetic and aesthetic displays of swordsmanship. These are nicely
lit and go down especially well with the audience who are lavish in
their applause and appreciation. There is a surprise encore at the 
end after which warmth and friendliness of the 'Kamui' company 
radiates from the stage. Overall, a winning performance from a very
talented and incredibly hard working company.
4 gold bats

by John C Vassallo