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Hugh Clarke attended Shen Yun at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver Jan. 12, 2013. (Ryan Moffatt/The Epoch Times)
VANCOUVER—It was a packed house at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Saturday afternoon for the third of Shen Yun Performing Arts’ five-show run in Vancouver.
Among the audience was Hugh Clarke, former VP of Corporate Communications with Endeavour Silver Corporation, who had seen Shen Yun perform twice before.
“It’s exciting, it’s fun to watch,” said Mr. Clarke, who was with Endeavour Silver for nine years, during which time it grew to become a billion-dollar company with three operating silver mines in Mexico.
His profession as a corporate communications professional spanned 30 years in the field of business and finance, including a broad range of positions in banking, stock markets, and public companies. He retired from Endeavour Silver in August 2012.
New York-based Shen Yun, which has a cast of more than 100 classically trained Chinese dancers, choreographers, musicians, and vocalists, tours internationally each year with an all-new lineup, bringing the Middle Kingdom’s authentic traditional culture to audiences around the world.
“It’s all very dramatic, exciting, and fun,” said Mr. Clarke, adding that he enjoyed the presentation between each piece by the emcees.
Using the ancient art form of classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun features a collection of story-based dances or mini-dramas depicting stories and legends from China’s long and rich history.
Mr. Clarke said he particularly enjoyed the piece “Ancient Elegance,” in which graceful dancers “glide like whispers on the wind,” according to the program notes.
“I liked how synchronized they were. They never moved out of step—they were extremely well-coordinated.”
Shen Yun’s dancers are supported by a philharmonic orchestra that includes Chinese instruments leading the melodies. The dancers take the stage in new costumes for every piece.
“It’s nice having the live orchestra, it makes a big difference,” said Mr. Clarke.
He noted that the performance was multifaceted, incorporating many different aspects.
“It’s certainly dance and music but there’s more to it than that,” he said.
Reporting by Ryan Moffatt and Joan Delaney
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s Touring Company will play five shows in Vancouver Jan. 10-13, while the New York Company will complete its tour of eastern Canada with five shows in Toronto Jan. 17–20. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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