Among the audience was Inderpal Singh, an IT consultant, who was very pleased to have come to see the show.
“I just thought it was amazing, absolutely amazing. Firstly, what the human form can achieve! But also the wonderful kaleidoscopic culture,” he said.
Mr. Singh was taken aback by the variety of Chinese culture: “All these different pieces, Mongolia, southwest China, it just showed there’s so much more to it.”
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts showcase classical Chinese dance, with a mission to revive China’s 5,000 years of rich culture and profound values.
“Coming from Indian culture, I just loved the way that these ancient dance moves and music has been kept alive and brought to the modern context—that was really, really powerful, not just emotionally, but also visually, and with the sound,” said Mr. Singh.
Mr. Singh also appreciated the humour in the show. “It wasn’t just a dry thing of dancers going through their routines. It does seem that it has all been put together with a lot of thought.”
“It’s almost like a historical narrative. Like a tapas bar—you’re getting a taste of everything!”
‘Very disciplined’
Judy Wiles, a former ballerina and teacher at the Royal Ballet, was also present.
“Very impressed, very impressed. They all move as one, they all hear the music the same way. The musicality is wonderful,” she said.
In addition to praising their technique, Ms. Wiles also praised the spirit of the dancers.
“You cannot get that standard of performance if it is just surface. They can feel the music and a love of dance comes over and that’s the most important thing: a love of movement. It was wonderful. I wanted to be up there!
“A corps de ballet, a beautiful corps de ballet. Very, very disciplined and very charming.”
Reporting by Chin Liang and Louis Makiello
Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will be at The London Coliseum from April 5–10. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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