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Mr. Baldwin, CEO of RIB-X who build custom super yachts, clearly appreciated the overall effect and the incorporation of so much historical content within Shen Yun.
Yacht designer Colin Baldwin was enthralled by Shen Yun at the Barbican Centre in London on March 9, 2013. (He Bin/The Epoch Times)
LONDON—Yacht designer and company CEO Colin Baldwin was among the audience on Saturday, March 9, for the sold-out closing night of Shen Yun at London’s Barbican Centre. He said that he thought the performance “was absolutely fantastic”.
Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company brought their run of six London performances to an end on Saturday, having enchanted audiences with their dazzling revival of 5,000 years of Chinese culture.
Shen Yun can be translated as meaning “the beauty of divine beings dancing”, and at its heart is Chinese classical dance—an art form with ancient roots and its own system of training in both physical expression and specific postures. Mr. Baldwin was clearly impressed.
“I thought the movements, the colours, the skill of the dancers was just absolutely superb,” he said. “The whole show was superb.”
Shen Yun dancers perform scenes depicting ancient legends, ethnic diversity, and the beauty of nature. Mr. Baldwin particularly liked the vibrant northeastern folk dance An Early Spring and thought the dancers’ skilful display of twirling handkerchiefs was fantastic. In this scene delicate movements evoke the joy felt at the melting of winter snows and the arrival of the first spring flowers.
Shen Yun’s costume artists collect countless designs of traditional attire, ranging from those of emperors, ministers, and generals to the everyday clothing of the common people. The flowing costumes complement the delicate dance movements to create a visually stunning spectacle.
Mr. Baldwin, CEO of RIB-X who build custom super yachts, clearly appreciated the overall effect and the incorporation of so much historical content within Shen Yun.
“Just the rhythm, the movement, the colours, the costumes were unbelievable. They seem to move—when the dancers were on the stage it was like a sea. They just moved together in perfect harmony. There was soul in the dancing, it wasn’t just movement. You got a feeling that there was a passion. To sum up 5,000 years in 120 minutes is pretty good going,” he said.
Shen Yun seeks to revive the traditional values that are at the heart of ancient Chinese culture. The dancers cultivate an inner beauty and purity and these qualities are expressed through their performance.
The yacht designer explained what, as an audience member, he felt he obtained from Shen Yun’s focus on 5,000 years of history.
“You get a sense of belonging,” he said. “You could see most of the dancers were there because they wanted to be there. It wasn’t just a job. You got the feeling they genuinely wanted to be part of the show.”
Mr. Baldwin said he would recommend the show to others: “Spend the money, go and enjoy yourself, and you will be surprised and entertained and enthralled!”
Reporting by NTD Television and Simon Miller.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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