Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped inside a video game?
Japanese show Siro–A gives a pretty good impression,
what with its mix of techno chiptune music, futuristic presentation and
Japanese references. There’s even
appearances from Mario and Pikachu.
The name translates
as “impossible to define” which is apt – this is more an experience than a
show. It’s like a modernised version of
traditional Kabuki theatre, the four lead performers in white make-up and
jumpsuits combining mime, dance and magic with 21st century
technology and electronic beats. Lights, lasers and
projections dazzle the audience in a dizzying display of imagery that ranges
from psychedelic futurism, to traditional swordfights out of a wuxia film and kaleidoscopic
kawaii characters. It's beautiful, fascinating and mesmerising all at once.
‘Box’ for instance
sees the group catching projected images on handheld slabs and boxes, all
intricately choreographed and precisely delivered. ‘Ball’, meanwhile, is performed in
silhouette, combining mime and a projected bouncing ball with hilarious
effect. And that’s just the start. Dance moves are recorded as projections on a
screen and gradually layered in bright, artful colours; western films are
replicated through projected words and mime (Frozen was particularly amusing); and the four performers are
joined by digital clones as they pop in and out of screens across the
stage. There is even some (somewhat
embarrassing) audience participation.
Best of all, though,
is a new sequence called ‘Phantomime’, involving video recording, projection
and dance in a complex sequence that sees a man enter a haunted house where he
is manipulated by a masked spirit. It’s
not only incredibly cool to watch, but reminiscent of fighting some sort of
video game boss. All that was missing
was a controller.
The four performers
are better gymnasts than they are dancers, though their physicality remains
impressive. And whilst they take their
work seriously, there are tonnes of physical comedy moments and hilarious facial
expressions. The real stars, though, are
DJ Kentaro Homma and video artist Daichi Norikane – without their incredible
talents, the show would lose its unique selling point.
That said, there is
nothing else like Siro-A around,
however you choose to define it. It’s an
experience full of unique charm that could only come from a group of whacky
Japanese performers.
4/5
Watch: Siro-A runs at the Leicester Square Theatre until 11th January.
