Shen Yun Performing Arts drew a packed house at Sydney Capitol Theatre on March 15. The performance combines classical Chinese dance and music to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Theatergoers said they were captivated by Shen Yun’s live orchestra, which combines both classical Eastern and Western instruments.
“Stunning. It’s just lovely to be right on top of that music and hear that, it’s very soul quenching. … And I think having that live music is a wonderful feature of the whole show and the performance. It’s very uplifting for that,” said Robyn Anne Preston, member for Hawkesbury and the deputy leader of the legislative assembly opposition.
“I think what I love in particular is the fusion between the Western idioms of Western music and the Chinese music, and just listening to the Chinese instruments, it’s just wonderful,” said Meryl Jackson-Kew, conductor of choirs and orchestras at On Kew Music.
Shen Yun’s performances tell stories of ancient myths and legends along with depictions of modern-day China, shining a light on the communist party’s human rights abuses. That includes forced organ harvesting of faith groups such as Falun Dafa. The spiritual practice teaches the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
“Persecution of people, not having the freedom to follow your beliefs. If your practice believes in truth, compassion, and forbearance, obviously, I can see why the Communist Party doesn’t like that. But it’s terrible to think of the price that people have to pay just to be able to express their beliefs,” said Rebecca Weisser, journalist and editor for The Quadrant Magazine.
“And we saw the little segment about the girl and her organs being harvested and things like that. And to think that’s happening in this century is just so wrong and so sad as well. So the fact that it can’t be performed in China is sad, but I think it’s important that it’s performed around the world, so the rest of the world can see what’s going on. Because until the world stands up and says ‘no’ nothing’s gonna change,” said Dr. Michelle Byrne, the former mayor of The Hills Shire.
“It was quite emotional at times because there was quite sad narratives and sad stories and sad dances, and then there was really uplifting and beautiful ones as well. So yeah, it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. But [I] left feeling—it was breathtaking really, just beautiful,” said Bob Willetts, a school principal and the deputy president to the NSW Primary Principals’ Association.
Others said they took home a message of kindness after seeing Shen Yun.
“I think anytime we talk about values and the values that unite us as humans is really important, so it’s an unexpected dimension to this show,” said The Hon. Susan Carter MLC, shadow assistant minister for attorney general and shadow assistant special minister of state for the New South Wales Legislative Council.
“I liked the fact that it’s all about kindness. And if we’re kind to each other, we can make the world a better place. And the fact that we’re all spiritual creatures on a journey, trying to make it back home—I really love that element. I really love the values that were coming through the performance,” added Dr. Byrne.
Shen Yun will perform seven shows at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth before concluding its 2024 Australian tour.
NTD News, Sydney, Australia.
