SHOW: SAT OCT 10TH, 2026 – 19:30 – CHEETALAND
Adults: £25.00 | Under 16/Student: £18.50 
Group Booking of 10: £236.50 (includes booking fees)
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre, 16 Upper Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5TE

Leonard Eto, one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative contemporary taiko players and ex Artistic Director of Kodo drummers, returns to the UK with “Cheetaland”. This follows the tour of his internationally award-winning collaboration “Kemono Michi” with classically trained ballerina lori Tadokoro in their performance fusing the tranquility and power of the forest with the uniquely Japanese aesthetic concept of “Ma” (negative space).

As well as a path trodden by animals in the wild, “Kemono Michi” means to choose a different way of life. From “Kemono Michi,” a work born from the forest experience that forms the concept of the piece, a new imaginative world called “Cheetaland” is born.

Iori Tadokoro is one of the few dancers who can fuse the aesthetic sense of Japanese drumming with the expression of ballet. Iori Tadokoro studied abroad in France under Daini Kudo for a period of time, performing in the production starring Marie-Claude Pietragalla. She is a main cast member of Leonard Eto’s “Kemono Michi” and also featured in the tours of Italy, Germany and Belgium.

Let the sound of the Japanese drums lead you on a new journey.

Cheetaland has been made possible thanks to funding from the
Japan Foundation.
 

Supporting acts will be Yamabiko from Leicester Taiko,
and Konjaku Daiko from Taiko West.   

WORKSHOPS

Sunday 11 October – 13:30-16:30 Kemono Michi Workshop – £40.00

“Kemono Michi means a path made by wild animals, but it can also be used metaphorically to mean a way of living that is different from the peaceful life of ordinary people. Technique, theory and harmony are very important in music, but trusting ones sensibilities and intuition is even more important. The aim of this workshop is to help you bring that intuition and sensibility into your ensemble playing” – Leonard Eto

This workshop will be played in our usual upright style.

There is a car park (address below) with plenty of space at the recording studios. Taiko can be quite physical so please wear comfortable clothing and bring some water.

Adults Only
Cancellation Policy

Sunday 11 October – 17:00-19:00 Katsugi Technique Workshop –  £30.00

Katsugi is a style of drumming that requires carrying the drum over one shoulder whilst playing. Leonard Eto is one of the primary innovators and developers of this style of drumming. The content of this workshop will be to give you an understanding of katsugi technique and how to control the drum to become one with it.

If you are able to bring your own katsugi okedo, please let us know as that may allow for more people to take part in the workshop.

There is a car park (address below) with plenty of space at the recording studios. Taiko can be quite physical so please wear comfortable clothing and bring some water.

Adults Only
Cancellation Policy