Theatre Group GUMBO

Theatre Group GUMBO was established by Director Kayo Tamura in 1994. Based in Osaka, this group has performed original works in 47 cities in 13 countries and received many awards.
GUMBO began touring internationally in 1997 performing abroad at Edinburgh, London, Portland, Colchester, New York, San Diego, Orlando, Tampa, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Victoria, Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, Iloilo, Taipei, Siem Reap, Chattogram, Karachi, Chiang Mai, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Natimuk, Mildura, Darwin and Launceston. GUMBO has received international awards including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival "Spirit of the Fringe" award in 1998, Melbourne Fringe Festival "Special Commendation" award in 2003, Australia's "Green Room Awards" in 2013, Hong Kong Fringe Club "Honorary Membership" in 2015, San Diego International Fringe Festival "Fringe Of The Fringe" in 2016, "Artists' Pick Award" in 2017, "Outstanding Comedy" in 2016 & 2017, Tampa International Fringe Festival "Best in Fest Award""Tech Choice Award" in 2018, Orlando International Fringe Festival "Black Venue BlueStar's Pick" and Edmonton International Fringe Festival "Critics' Choice Media Pick" in 2019, Frigid Festival NYC "Best Ensemble""Staff Choice", Orlando Fringe Festival "Patron's Pick", San Diego Fringe Festival "Best Of Fest""Audience Favorite", Hollywood Fringe Festival "Pick Of The Fringe" in 2022. Edmonton Fringe Festival "Artist Pick", Vancouver Fringe Festival "Spirit Of The Fringe", London Pub Theatre Awards "Standing Ovation Award" Nomination, and Colchester Fringe Festival "Spirit Of The Fringe""Artist's Pick""Volunteer's Pick" in 2023.

Outline of Career

NEWS
"Are you lovin' it?"
at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

31 July 2025

19:20 (60mins) Fri 1 - Sun 24 Aug at ZOO PLAYGROUND

We are bringing our smash hit Are You Lovin' It?, which has won 17 awards around the world, to Edinburgh!
GUMBO takes you on a surreal, hilarious journey through the wild world of WacDonalds. Meet a Japanese businessman, Trump, and Krazy Kitty in this absurd, side-splitting comedy you won't want to miss!
This satirical-physical comedy with Japanese game show & anime flavor has been described as Fast-Food Capitalism and is a perfect reflection of the world TODAY!

Winner of "Media Pick" at Edmonton Fringe, "Patron's Pick""Blue Star's Pick" at Orlando Fringe, "Best of Fest""Outstanding Comedy" at San Diego Fringe, "Best in Fest" at Tampa Fringe, "Best Ensemble" at FRIGID NY, "Artist's Pick" at Colchester Fringe UK.

★★★★★

This kooky, edgy, cartoon-like show may be the strangest show I've ever seen at the Fringe. Five stars simply for audacity and invention. - Edmonton Journal

★★★★★

Madcap, off-beat, but bitingly savage in its satirical approach, demonstrating American Globalization through the true world leaders, a fast-food chain. - Britishtheatre.com

★★★★★

This piece is so uniquely original and the performers so engaging that you probably won’t see anything else like it at this year’s Fringe. - Gigcity.ca

Here is ...a company of Japanese Dadaist clowns - 12thnight.ca

The savagely surreal satire of Fast-Food Capitalism. - Orlando Weekly

The most in-your-face, Outrageous, political and subversive show. - Orlando Sentinel

Venue:
Dates and Time (60 mins): 19:20 Fri 1 - Sun 24 Aug

Written by Theatre Group GUMBO
Directed by Kayo Tamura
Cast: Kayo Tamura, Nono Miyasaka, Ryo Nishihara, Noah Alfred Pantano
TICKET: https://zoofestival.co.uk/programme/are-you-lovin-it/

VENUE: ZOO Playground (Playground 2)
SHOW DATES AND TIMES (60 mins):

19:20 Fri 1 - Sun 24 Aug

PRICE: £12
AGE GUIDANCE: 12+

Content Warnings: Audience participation

TICKET

NEWS
"SHUNGA ALERT"
at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

31 July 2025

July 31- Aug 24 at Underbelly Cowgate (Big Belly)

Sexy hilarious Japanese puppet show. You have been warned!

Warning: adults only! An X-rated documentary-comedy about the sexual culture of Japan.

The story of an artist, a sex doll and a virtual idol trying to create the sexiest shunga of all time, told with clowning, puppetry and live projection. Learn everything you wanted to know about sex in Japan but were too afraid to Google.

Filthy, offensive and visually stunning! Don't say we didn't warn you!

Winner of Best of the Fest at the San Diego Fringe Festival.

Tickets: https://www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/events/event/shunga-alert
Date: 31 July - 24 August
Time: 9:40 pm (60 mins)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate (Big Belly)
Suitability: Age 18+ (Restricted)

Warnings: Nudity, Scenes of a sexual nature, Strong language/swearing

TICKET

NEWS
"Forest Of Truth"
at Orlando Fringe Festival

11 May 2025

May 15-25 at YELLOW VENUE

This is the FRINGE of the FRINGE! An award-winning raunchy satire about LOVE from Japanese madcap clowns GUMBO, a winner of PATRON'S PICK at Orlando Fringe 2022.

A WINNER of "Fringe Of The Fringe" at Colchester Fringe 2024 UK,
"Artist Pick" at Edmonton Fringe 2023, "Spirit Of The Fringe" at Vancouver Fringe 2023,
"Fringe Of The Fringe" and "Outstanding Comedy" at San Diego Fringe 2016

★★★★★ Completely absurd and laugh-a-minute. -GJD Reviews, UK
It's as if H.C.Andersen has taken acid and time travelled to the Garden of Eden. -Paul T. Davies, UK

A veritable earthquake of passion...It's crazy... It's fringe-y. -Liz Nicholls, 12thNight.ca

This is the FRINGE of the FRINGE! An award-winning raunchy satire about LOVE from Japanese madcap clowns GUMBO, a winner of PATRON'S PICK at Orlando Fringe 2022. Featuring special guest Noah Alfred Pantano.

Welcome to the Forest of Truth! Stepping through the boughs of the densest trees, Man and Woman 'fall in love'. However, the mythical residents of the forest have other plans. All the awkward aspects of love are on full display here - along with over-the-top costumes, ear worm music and seductively silly dance moves, you’re sure to fall in love in the Forest of Truth.

Written by Theatre Group GUMBO
Directed by Kayo Tamura
Cast: Kayo Tamura, Nono Miyasaka, Ryo Nishihara, Noah Alfred Pantano
TICKET: https://orlandofringe.ssboxoffice.com/events/forest-of-truth/

VENUE: YELLOW VENUE (812 E Rollins St Orlando)
SHOW DATES AND TIMES (60 mins):

Thu May 15th 6:55pm / Fri May 16th 10:45pm / Sat May 17th 3:25pm/ Tue May 20th 7:45pm

Thu May 22nd 6:40pm / Sat May 24th 8:55pm / Sun 25th 3:45pm

PRICE: $15
AGE RATING: 13 & Up

Warnings: Adult Language, Audience Interaction, Mature Themes, Sexual Content

TICKET