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VANCOUVER—Game designer Kayo Wildman and his wife Tanya Wildman, who writes for a Russian newspaper, were blown away by Shen Yun Performing Arts’ portrayal of Chinese traditional culture at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Friday night.
“Wonderful,” said Mrs. Wildman.
“Amazing, breathtaking,” said her husband.
Both were highly impressed by the opening piece “Descending to the World,” in which the Lord Buddha calls on heavenly beings to descend with him to Earth to “make a magnificent history for humankind,” according to the program notes.
“The opening scene when they are in the clouds—inspirational,” said Mr. Wildman.
“It’s like the whole story,” said Mrs. Wildman.
“It is just very interesting. This is the story which tells you about different cultures and different traditions about china. They’re just gorgeous.”
New York-based Shen Yun is a classical Chinese dance and music company that aims to revive China’s 5,000-year-old divinely inspired culture.
The company tours internationally each year with an entirely new lineup of dances, songs, and musical scores, bringing the Middle Kingdom’s rich heritage to audiences around the world.
“It really captures the beauty of culture and puts it in a nice perspective for the audience to take. I really like it … it`s really beautiful. All the performers are so elegant,” said Mr. Wildman.
Mrs. Wildman said it was the first time she had seen the likes of Shen Yun’s signature digital backdrops, which is animated to allow interaction between screen and stage.
“It is the first time I see how, actually the heroes coming from the screen to the stage, first time. It`s very unusual and very unique.”
Shen Yun has three companies touring simultaneously, each with its own live orchestra. The orchestras combine Western and Chinese instruments.
“The music is beautiful, the dancing is beautiful,” Mrs. Wildman said. “I like the ancient culture and story about it.”
Reporting by Fany Qiu 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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