LONDON—An enthusiastic audience at the Eventim Apollo greeted Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 11.
Kevin McWilliams, managing director at ITSM Maturity & Implementation Services, said: “I thought it was extremely colorful. It’s very good.”
He said it’s more than just ethnic dances: “It goes back with history; it gives tradition. It gives meaning to lots of the ancient ways of thinking, so it’s really, really good.”
Mr. McWilliams said he was reminded of a TV series from his childhood that told the story of the Chinese classic “Journey to the West.”
“It was that brilliant because it actually—it brings [the story] to life in a very good dance,” he said. “It was really enjoyable.”
He enjoyed how the ancient legends were told through dance. “They all look beautiful. They look great. They look so colorful, and it’s great.” He said the costumes were “absolutely brilliant.”
The opening dance features the heavens opening, gods of all realms descending, and the Creator coming down to create Chinese culture. “That was a really good dance. It really was,” he said.
Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Although Shen Yun is helping the world understand more about China through its global tours each season, it is unable to perform in China.
Mr. McWilliams said Shen Yun does more than revive traditional Chinese culture: “I don’t know if that’s reviving. I think it’s reminding.”
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Paul and Catherine Harrison enjoyed many aspects of the performance. Mrs. Harrison, a patent attorney, said, “I love the coordination and the skill that makes it look so effortless.”
Mr. Harrison was enchanted by the skill and grace of the dancers. “I love the dancing, the way they were just so graceful and elegant and smooth. It’s just beautiful to watch,” he said.
Many in the audience express amazement at the animated 3D backdrop that interacts with the characters in the story.
Mr. Harrison said, “The way they used the graphics at the back, it’s quite really clever. People were jumping in and out of the screen. Almost. You don’t even notice they’re doing it. So well-coordinated. So, yes, it’s very good. Lovely.”
The opening scene, where the heavens open, many gods descend, and the Creator comes down to create Chinese culture, caught the attention of Mrs. Harrison. The backdrop was used here to the delight of the audience.
“I was surprised, and [the story] is very clear. [The use of the backdrop] makes it very clear,” she said.
Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Although Shen Yun is helping the world understand more about China through its global tours each season, it is unable to perform in China.
Mrs. Harrison said she would recommend Shen Yun to friends and family.
This was the first time for Mr. Harrison and he said he had a great time.
Mrs. Harrison said family members have recommended Shen Yun to them. “We’ve been before. My father and my brother have been before, and they recommended it to us.”
As the emcees note during the performance, Shen Yun cannot be seen in China. The traditional Chinese culture, a divinely inspired culture, that Shen Yun brings to life is one that the current Chinese communist regime has worked to uproot through violent revolution ever since it took power in 1949.
Reporting by Jenna and Yvonne Marcotte.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
From The Epoch Times
