Kodo, the legendary taiko drumming ensemble, returns to Sage Gateshead with most spectacular show to date.

25th February, 2014, Sage Gateshead “Dynamic, electrifying vision ....Nothing will prepare you for the 1,000 lb. drum assault, the precise timing or the wall of sound. An essential experience." Time Out "Musicians, theatre directors and all interested in the sheer power of sound to feed emotions should take note." The Guardian Comprising a breath-taking combination of athletic and electrifying drumming, exquisite musicianship, stunning visuals and pure theatre, Kodo – the legendary taiko drumming ensemble – returns to the UK for the first time since 2010 with their most ambitious production yet: Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Legend. North East audiences have the chance to experience the immense power and sheer spectacle of the Kodo phenomenon as they catapult ancient Japanese culture into the 21^st century with a landmark in Kodo’s history: the first UK tour with new Artistic Director, Japanese icon Tamasaburo Bando, an actor and film-maker, world-renowned for his roles in kabuki theatre, the traditional classical Japanese dance-drama. Tamasaburo has instigated a bold new direction for Kodo: combining the visceral intensity and athleticism of their stunning productions with the controlled, nuanced performances of kabuki. They both draw on the deep well of traditional Japanese culture, rooted in a long lineage and sense of place (from rituals of harvest celebrations and demon dances to refined theatres and the most delicate of hand motions), combined with absolute discipline and mastery of their art. Now their joint labours are coming to the UK in early 2014, with a tour that features several re-envisioned and new pieces guided by Tamasaburo’s distinct aesthetic and experience. In Legend they have created something completely fresh and new: integrating highly choreographed dance routines and costumes inspired by cultures from all corners of the globe and even music taken from classical and jazz styles. Kodo Ensemble Leader, Tomohiro Mitome, says “We have enriched our performances with artistic expressions previously unseen on the Kodo stage, incorporating new costumes and Western instruments.” Hailing from the remote Japanese Sado Island, Kodo is the first and most influential taiko ensemble in the world, comprising a 26-strong troupe of musicians and dancers who transform centuries-old traditional Japanese ritual and performing arts into exhilarating, contemporary stage shows. Since its foundation in 1981, Kodo has given nearly 4,000 performances across all five continents, from war-torn Croatia to Carnegie Hall and from the Nobel Peace Prize to the Football World Cup. Their unique re-imagining of ancient instruments, traditional music and dance has inspired the likes of Stomp and Cirque du Soleil. One Earth Tour 2014: Legend is an un-missable experience – transporting audiences to the magical culture of Sado Island and bringing this unique and remarkable art form thrillingly to life.