SYDNEY—“I think it’s wonderful, I love it.” said Edith Krohn Grant, who was once a professional ballerina, after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time, at the Capitol Theatre on Feb. 8.

Ms. Krohn Grant received training from the Borovansky Ballet Academy in Melbourne. She performed in the touring Borovansky Ballet Company’s 1958 production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

“Everything, from the dancing to the technique they have, beautiful costumes and the backdrop. It’s wonderful,” she said. “It was fantastic.”

New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premiere classical Chinese music and dance company. It features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, accompanied by a live orchestra, reviving China’s divinely-inspired culture on stage.

Classical Chinese dance is Shen Yun’s hallmark. Over different dynasties, classical Chinese dance was honed and refined into a distinctive art form. Today, alongside ballet, it is one of the most expressive dance systems in the world.

“It’s different to the classical ballet of course,” she said. “I liked it very much.”

Ms. Krohn Grant felt the choreography was beautiful and felt China’s cultural essence shone through.

“From the costumes you can see it, from the scenery you can see it. And [dances depicting] modern-day in between and then you go back again [to ancient times] with beautiful ladies with beautiful movement,” she said.

It’s a Masterpiece

Also in the audience was Chinese and International real estate investment specialist Ms. Maggie Csanits. A former dancer in classical Chinese dance and folk dance, she was moved by the expressiveness of classical Chinese dance.

“It’s a masterpiece,” said Ms. Csanits. “I’m so touched!”

She was really moved by the choreography and the ability of the dancers to convey so much meaning through their dance.

“The way they make their movements, it is very good,” she said. “It is like they are talking to you.”

She added, “It’s absolutely awesome.”

Her husband, Markus Csanits, a chemical engineer and managing director at Machine and Chemical Technology, felt he learnt more about Chinese culture through the stories depicted on stage.

“My wife is Chinese, so it was really interesting for us to see all the stories that I already learnt. But there were new stories that I haven’t heard of,” he said.

“I got the chance to learn more about the Chinese history and culture. The stories behind it are traditional.”

Shen Yun performs mini-drama pieces derived from stories and legends that are based on documented events spanning past dynasties to the present day. The stories exemplify moral values such as loyalty, selflessness and courage.

According to the Shen Yun website, “These stories also bring out faith in the divine, reflecting the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”

“5,000 years all in one afternoon. That is not easy to do,” he said. “It was very entertaining. It is technically very good.”
Mr. Csanitis said. “I will definitely come back … I was really, really impressed.”

Founded in 2006, Shen Yun has grown to four touring companies that perform in more than 100 cities every year, each year with an all-new program.

Reporting by NTD Television, Mary Yuan and Mimi Nguyen Ly

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006