BATSU! Presents: GANBA!! at Underbelly Bristo Square review
Leave it to the creators of BATSU! to prove that organised chaos can work just as brilliantly for children as it does for adults. Swapping late-night punishments for ninja training, GANBA!! is an infectiously joyful family show that never talks down to its audience, instead inviting everyone – regardless of age – to become part of the adventure.
From the moment you enter the dojo, it's clear this isn't going to be a passive theatrical experience. Guided by Steve-san, an eager American ninja-in-training, and the wonderfully commanding Sensei Marika, audiences are led through a series of increasingly ridiculous challenges as they prepare to defend the dojo from the mischievous Batsu no Akuma, the Spirit of Punishment.
Audience participation is at the heart of GANBA!!, but it never feels forced. Children eagerly volunteer, while adults soon realise they're just as likely to be drawn into the action. Whether learning sword techniques, shouting Japanese phrases or tackling brilliantly silly challenges, every activity encourages teamwork over competition. Before long, a room full of strangers is enthusiastically cheering one another on.
What elevates the show beyond simple family entertainment is the message running through it. The Japanese phrase ganba – meaning something close to "you've got this" or "keep going" – underpins the entire production. It's a celebration of perseverance, reminding children that trying, failing and trying again is all part of the adventure.
The cast are exceptional throughout, combining razor-sharp comic timing with an impressive ability to adapt to the wonderfully unpredictable responses of young audience members. Every interaction feels generous, ensuring volunteers are celebrated rather than embarrassed, while the physical comedy lands just as well with adults as it does with children.
By the final showdown, the audience has transformed from spectators into a team, united in one last battle against the Spirit of Punishment. It's a wonderfully uplifting ending that captures exactly what the show sets out to achieve.
Funny, inventive and full of heart, GANBA!! is a fantastic addition to the BATSU! universe. It celebrates imagination, resilience and the joy of taking part, leaving children feeling like heroes and adults grinning just as widely. It's family theatre done exactly right.
BATSU! Presents: GANBA!! will be playing at Underbelly Bristo Square at 11.05am until 16th August
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Written by Liam Arnold for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.
