Audiences lined up at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow to see the spirit of Chinese music and dance brought to the stage by New York-based performing arts company Shen Yun.
“Absolutely beautiful, elegance personified, the costumes are fabulous, the dancers are incredible. It’s heavenly, it’s culturally stimulating, the colors, the passion, the passion for what is going on on-stage is just incredible – a joy!” said Mark Irvine, a BBC presenter.
“It was inspiring, it was uplifting, it was joyful, it was funny,” said Tracy McLaughlin, a doctor.
“You can see the classical training, you can also see the cultural aspects coming out of the dancers, the ethnicity, there’s no other show like it. It’s definitely one that everyone should go see,” said Marianne McMullan, a former professional dancer.
Legends, myths, and ancient wisdom from China’s 5,000-year history are brought to life on stage and screen.
Joe Rennie, director of an award-winning graphics company, said it’s a different side of China than what is seen in the media and on television.
“It’s great to see that and to go back and see the traditions that they upheld years and years ago,” he said. Dr. McLaughlin agreed. She added: “[Shen Yun] shows how we’ve lost some of our values in modern culture.”
“There was one particular performance where it showed modern China and it showed how we’ve lost some goodness and virtue and peace and it brought that to life,” she said.
Mr. Irvine said watching Shen Yun was “a chance to experience something that you would never get to see anywhere in the world.” He said the message of Shen Yun is “just how wonderful the culture of China is, and some of it may be lost and some of it may never be seen by the West.”
Audience members noted the skill and dedication of Shen Yun’s musicians.
“Spectacular. It’s very good, the musicians and the orchestra are absolutely amazing and so professional to watch and to see it live!” said Mr. Rennie.
“The performers, the dancers, the musicians, the orchestra, the costumes—there was so much to love about it!” enthused Dr. McLaughlin.
The beauty of the performance took audiences in Glasgow by surprise. Mr. Rennie’s wife, also a company director, said the dancing was “very expressive.”
“The girls are just beautiful, the men as well, very beautiful, very talented.”
“The explosion of color, of culture, of love, of passion. It’s an experience and if anybody watches this that has never seen Shen Yun please go, please please book and go because it is just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.”
Shen Yun produces an all-new production every year with new music and new choreography. The final leg of this UK tour is in Manchester from Feb. 20 to 25.
NTD UK News, Glasgow
