For two weeks, Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to packed theaters in the heart of London.
Its showcase of China’s 5,000-year civilization has won praise from some members of Britain’s House of Lords.
“It’s a magnificent show with the most incredible dancing and acrobatics. And it really brings the culture to life in a very powerful way,” said Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff.
“I think it’s fantastic. I love the dancing, I love the colors—the colors are absolutely beautiful. The storytelling is lovely. And I congratulate all the cast on all the work they’re doing,” said Rosalind Miriam Altmann, a current member of the House of Lords, praising Shen Yun performers.
“I think their kindness and their enthusiasm and the meditation and the spirit seems to shine through,” she added.
Shen Yun uses dance and music to bring to life the stories and inner essence of ancient Chinese culture. attracting audiences from all walks of life.
“It was stunning, absolutely stunning, and was the embodiment of perfection. It was very moving, spiritual experience,” said Sam Butterworth, the chief marketing officer of multiple companies.
“It’s magical,” said Jimi Tihofsi, a London-based film producer, adding that the flawlessness of the production looks like a film.
“The movement that they have, the way they have connected with a backdrop with all these pictures, and the way they kind of connect both of them together, you think this is not real,” he said.
“I think the energy is a very kind of happiness that starts very peaceful, and also uplifting at the same time,” said Natasha Jouhl, a soprano. “It’s not like anything I’ve seen before and I will remember it for the rest of my life.”
Jouhl said she was deeply impressed by the vocalists in the performance. “That bass that I heard singing, the one number was really so from the heart,” she added, referring to his solo performance.
“Really amazing, very inspiring, forthcoming, kind of almost triumphant, really, [with] words that will appeal to so many people on so many different levels. It was really moving.”
Traditional Chinese culture is considered by many to be divinely inspired.
In contrast, the Chinese Communist Party is officially an atheist regime and fears Shen Yun’s freedom of expression, so it does not allow Shen Yun to perform in China. Shen Yun states on its website that it was founded in 2006 by Falun Dafa practitioners and is on a mission to revive the essence of Chinese culture through the performing arts.
“I’m fascinated that Shen Yun has those principles about freedom of speech, about deities, about religion. And that freedom of speech is to be cherished because it is the higher calling in all of life,” said Tom Browne, who is a vascular surgeon.
“Of course, it also highlights difficulties and problems of today. This show itself is the most incredible celebration of a history of magnificent culture,” said Finlay.
“I’m lucky to see it, so I’m sorry to all the Chinese that can’t see it,” said Tihofsi. “It’s sad that you have to come to London to see something so Chinese.”
Shen Yun will continue to perform in London until March 13.
NTD News, London, UK.
