Death of a Samurai

If you were to imagine a mashup of Shakespeare’s comedies, Japanese myth, ear-splitting rock music, manga and martial arts you might be some way towards understanding Death of a Samurai. What you might not imagine, however, is the sheer fun and invention that A-LIGHT bring to their show.

The plot itself is as convoluted as the mashup might suggest. Kinoko, a girl with magical powers, is kidnapped in the woods. Her father, a werewolf, pursues her. Added to this there’s a boy with three eyes, magical love potions, trained killers and a love-ninja. Each performer, however, is so well characterised that—even when sections are performed entirely in Japanese—Death of a Samurai never becomes difficult to follow.

There’s nothing subtle about the production but that’s its foremost strength. It bewilders your senses—there are flag dances, and bubbles, glitter, flashing lights—and A-LIGHT do it all at such speed that it’s impossible for the audience to be anything but enthralled. The choreography, whilst rarely complex, is so relentless and precise that it takes on particular urgency. Added to this, there’s a delightful infusion of humour throughout, particularly in their portrayal of the ridiculousness of love.

The fable of Death of a Samurai proves surprisingly satisfying too, never getting lost in the adrenaline-pumping invention surrounding it. As a tale of growing up, of leaving our parents behind and of the choices that adulthood brings, this is a witty, original and inspiring production.