It’s rare to see a demonstration of skill on this scale. For nearly two hours, the nine performers gave their all to a show of taiko drumming which was spectacular, stunning and mesmerising. It’s easy to see why they attract reviews full of superlatives: they really do have to be seen to be believed.

While the show is necessarily a display – and one to the artistic director’s credit, from costumes to choreography – the drummers also connected with the audience throughout. They injected humour with the odd well thought-out sketch – which team will bring in the biggest drum and who can get the audience clapping.

One can’t guess at the training that has gone in to perfect their control of drumsticks, which in their hands appeared to be made of rubber.

The pièce de résistance featured an extraordinary and highly-accomplished performance by three of the troupe with golden cymbals the size of their palms. They brought the house down.

They say their greatest goal is to send audiences home with a new vitality and passion for life, and from the energy discernible from crowds of happy folk after this performance, they are. No wonder taiko drumming workshops are taking off.