KITCHENER-WATERLOO, Canada―City Councilor and former mayor Ms. Brewer said Divine Performing Arts portrayed “hope for the future” in their performance at Centre in the Square Theatre Tuesday night.
“I thoroughly enjoyed that,” she said. “The music was enjoyable, to watch the scenery—super, and the beautiful colors made it a super night, just super.”
Ms. Brewer said the music from the live orchestra fit so well with the scenes on stage. “It was just part of that whole scene.”
She said she thoroughly enjoyed the mix of music, song, and dancing, combined with Divine Performing Arts unique animated backdrops.
“Tonight was just such a good evening … The music and dance interpreted everything that was on the stage tonight … I like the colorful spring flowers, it was colorful, just colorful.”
That dance, Welcoming Spring features quick footwork, crisp movements, and stunning bursts of colour.
New York-based Divine Performing Arts Company takes inspiration from 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and seeks to revive traditional Chinese performing arts.
“I think we all learn from history and this certainly was history,” Ms. Brewer said.
“Through history and through your life you read parts of what we saw tonight. I’m not sure I truly understand it but I appreciate [it].”
Her granddaughter, a student at Wilfred Laurier University, echoed her enthusiasm.
“It was excellent, it was such an amazing show. I liked the spring flower dance [Welcoming Spring].”
She said learning the true history of Mulan in Mulan Joins the Battle was a highlight.
“I liked the whole story, about doing a selfless act for your family and for the country… putting them first.”
While the pages of Chinese history are filled with tales of exemplary women, perhaps none so managed to fulfill the twin Confucian duties of service to one’s parents and one’s country as the heroine Mulan. Mulan’s aging father finds himself torn: he wishes not to defy the Emperor’s decree to defend the country now beset by invaders, yet at his age he cannot go into the battlefield. Seeing this, Mulan entreats her father to allow her to join the army in his place.
It was one of many dances depicting Chinese myths and legends presented in the performance.
The full-house audience gave the entire show standing ovation.
After two more shows on Wednesday, Divine Performing Arts will move on to Toronto for a six-day run.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
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