Sumo wrestling returned to London recently after 34 years — thanks to the recent Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall. Now it looks like the Japanese sport could become a 'thing' in the British capital.
Case in point: Tokyo Nights, an immersive dining/spectating experience, running multiple nights next June at Greenwich's Borough Hall.
Co-created by the people behind Secret Cinema, The Grand Expedition and Chambers of Flavour, Tokyo Nights will see four former professional sumo wrestlers battling it out in a Dohyo (ring) inside a setting inspired by the neon streets of Tokyo. While enjoying the action, you'll be able to tuck into sushi and sake pairings; it's described as "part sporting spectacle, part theatre, part interactive food and drink event".
Says David Sharibani, a Tokyo-based, London-born artist who is working on the designs for Tokyo Nights: "Tokyo and London are both cultural powerhouses — different in character but alike in creative spirit. The two cities have long respected and inspired each other, and transporting sumo to London continues that dialogue."
Tickets for Tokyo Nights, which begin at £70 a pop, are not yet on sale, but you can register for first access now.
