BRISBANE, Australia—Over the Easter weekend, Queensland Conservatorium Theatre, in the heart of Brisbane’s premier arts precinct, showcased the critically-acclaimed Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour.
Shen Yun comprises three companies based in New York.
One of the Shen Yun companies is currently here in Australia, after which it will go on to New Zealand, returning to Sydney for a seven-show run from April 24 to April 27. The other two companies travel around the United States and Europe.
Mr. Rackham, the manager of a retirement village in Queensland’s Gold Coast, was among the appreciative audience members at Saturday’s matinee.
He had nothing but praise for the New York-based production whose intention is to revive China’s divinly inspired heritage.
“I think it’s rather wonderful, particularly the spiritual aspect. The ancient culture is quite new to me, and it’s very interesting,” Mr. Rackham said.
Chinese classical dance, the centrepiece of the Shen Yun shows, is the most comprehensive dance system in the world. It is known for its expressiveness and its strength and flexibility training.
“The dancers are very athletic, but also very flowing, very smooth, and the colour is absolutely fantastic,” Mr. Rackham said.
“It makes me feel very warm. I’m actually very interested to research a bit further back into the ancient culture of the Chinese ... its 5,000-year bracket, and where that really comes from, and where we’re going [with] that—very interesting aspect,” he said.
Mr. Rackham thought the show was also very educational.
“I’m quite surprised there are a lot of heritages and Buddhist content [in the show]. That surprised me, and even the references to Tibet. It’s very warming, because they’re cultures that I value.”
He was philosophical about what he perceived as a message telling him that world history is important.
“Where we have come from, where various civilisations and big groups have come from is very important.
“Also the message that there is actually somewhere we go, as well. Some of the words in the poetry that came up [in the backdrop scene] ‘not to be burdened by the illusions we have on earth,’ that there is always something better. Even if you’re a persecuted group [Falun Gong], which is always unfortunate, there is something better to go to.”
Knowing the True Picture Offers Ultimate Hope is a call for people to discern the truth, not to become lost in the delusions of the world.
“That whole philosophy is very warming,” Mr. Rackham said.
Brisbane has a matinee on Sunday, April 12. Shen Yun will be in Toowoomba on Monday, April 13.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
