BRIGHTON FRINGE – 2Shoulderpads: Galaxy Train, WundaBarn at The SpiegelGardens

Playwright: Maruichiro Maruo

Director: Chobi Natsuki

Original story author: Kenji Miyazawa

Theatrical adaptation of Night on the Galactic Railroad: So Kitamura

WINNER OF THE MERVYN STUTTER SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD 2025, SOLD OUT EDINBURGH FRINGE RUN 2025, RECOGNITION FROM THE ASIAN ART AWARDS

With boldness, beauty and a whole lot of bums, 2Shoulderpads brings their inspired Galaxy Train to the Brighton Fringe. Meeting with a standing ovation in the sold out circus tent, the production draws on Kabuki-inspired physical expression, classic Japanese storytelling, and their own masterful twists to build this theatrical journey full of humour and heart. 

With the majority of the cast wearing a mere couple of sewn-together shoulder pads to cover their modesty, held in place by alarmingly thin trails of elastic, we suspect we are in for a rather wild ride. 2Shoulderpads do not disappoint. 

Despite the exposed posteriors, the show is not sexual but the company knows their audience has likely come along for the novelty of the nudity so they have a great deal of fun. There’s a decent amount of physical comedy concerning those precariously placed shoulder pads, but after a while, we start to forget the near nakedness and the bodies become what they are, people. 

Riding an emotional rollercoaster, we are transported through a classic Japanese story written originally by author Kenji Miyazawa. Two young school boys have secretly imagined a tale together called Galaxy Train. Bullied, Giovanni and his only friend, Campanella escape their challenging lives, taking the express through the stars and meeting with all manner of other travellers. 

Drawing on techniques from Kabuki, a Japanese style of theatre as spectacle, that prioritises emotional intensity and visual impact over realism, traditional wooden clappers (tsuke) are also utilised to create sound climaxes, denoting changes in poses and scenes. The joyful fusion of storytelling brings so much to the performance and keeps us on our toes. With fragmented language and a host of illogical situations, there are times we feel in the belly of a chaotic children’s television show, only to be speedily transported into a surreal late night version of Starlight Express.

The cast (Chobi Natsuki, Maruichiro Maruo, Hikaru Tachibana, Yasuyuki Asano, Jumpei Shimada, Tomohiro Taniyama) are warm, endearing, charming and completely compelling. They are all class acts. Chobi Natsuki (also director) who plays Giovanni is an absolute gem. The way she reacts to the rest of the cast is inspired. She has us believing that she is indeed shocked by their antics, and she holds our hands on this incredible journey with considerable skill. Maruichiro Maruo (also playwright) is highly compelling and so loveable as Campanella he will break your heart.

This extraordinary production takes traditional theatre forms to new levels, with the company very much making it their own. Innovative, imaginative and deeply moving, this is one to watch. Hurry along to the platform to catch it while its still boarding. Expect a packed carriage. For this wild, wonderful journey, you will want a seat. 

Reviewed on 4th May 2026