Does waving pretend swords or bits of stick around very slowly in symmetrical formations to a pounding drum accompaniment constitute good entertainment? Not in my book, but I am probably in a minority judging by the way Chanbara is packing them in.
A collaboration between the sword masters behind the sequences in Kill Bill and drumming outfit Yamato, the only danger real here is of the imminent arrival of a headache. In fact the drumming is the best part of the show because although the performers are billed as eight of Japan's pre-eminent master Samurai swordsmen the choreography is so ponderous all the skill is dissipated. What you get is power but very little beauty.
The sexual politics are also pretty doubtful with strong men protecting cowering women and lots of overt Freudian imagery as pretty circular parasols are penetrated by manly swords. It is tedious stuff and although it may pass for athletics it is certainly not art.
· Until August 28. Box office: 0131-556 6550.
