Now playing at the Leicester Square Theatre until April 22nd, SIRO-A is an international multi-award winning show from Japan.On a freezing London night in March AGI paid a visit to this intensely unique new brand of performance, which bills itself as “the next generation of entertainment”.
Often described as Japan’s answer to the Blue Man Group, SIRO-A was developed by six men: two DJs – Iwai Hiroyuki (sound programmer) and Sato Ryosuke (video artist), plus four main performers – Daiki, Arai Toshiya, Abe Toshinori and Yohei.
Brilliant is the only word to describe this show. Although it has links to a variety of different forms of art – one can notice elements of Japanese avant-garde theatre, mime, electronic/house music, and slapstick comedy – what sets SIRO-A apart is the way in which it fuses these elements together to create something entirely different and fresh.
It really is hard to describe how inventive some of the individual segments of the program can be without seeing it for yourself, but if you love video games, lasers, clubbing, magic, or post-modern art, you will certainly find something to appreciate here.
At times, it can be mesmerizing, and the interaction between video screens and live-action performers occasionally has you confused about where reality ends and fantasy begins. It is not always clear what is merely an illusion or a trick of the eye. One particularly amusing gag involves iconic t-shirt designs and name brands.
That’s not to say that everything is perfect, however. The timing of the movements is sometimes slightly off, but that’s to be expected in such a fast-moving show when every second counts. The creativity never wavers, though, and even if you don’t love one particular ‘track’, you will most likely enjoy the next one. Although the show is only an hour long, you definitely get your money’s worth. The audience certainly seemed to be having a lot of fun. Look no further if you want to see where the future of theatre might be heading.
By Tim Holm
Performance info:
Leicester Square Theatre
8 Leicester Square Place
London WC2H 7BX
Show times vary: 13 Mar 2013 to 22 Apr 2013
General Admission: £17
