SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun, ‘It has taken me to heaven,’ Says Education Manager

Feb 06, 2015

BRISBANE, Australia—The acclaimed Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at Concert Hall, QPAC, on Feb. 4, for a very appreciative audience.

Lynn Schmidt has a background in the Human Resource Business and Educational Management. She was deeply moved by the spiritual aspect in the Shen Yun performance and was saddened to learn that the people in China do not have the opportunity to have the same experience.

“I feel like it has taken me to heaven,” she said. “I think it is so very sad that China and the Chinese people don’t have an opportunity to have what we have, for it lifts our spirit and it makes us so happy.”

Traditional Chinese culture and art forms—formed over millennia by the three pillars of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism—were largely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and decades of suppression by the communist regime, says the Shen Yun website

Among the many aspects that distinguish Shen Yun are the dancers’ rigorous discipline, wholehearted dedication to their art, and their emphasis on moral character. These qualities are also integral to traditional Chinese culture, which is believed to be divinely inspired.

“There has to be a spiritual guidance and a spirit within for them to be able to achieve what they’re achieving, and it is one of the most beautiful messages,” she said.

‘I Feel Ecstatic’

Netra Gurung attended Shen Yun performing Arts on Fe. 4 at the Concert hall and said, "It was the soft music, the beautiful movement and then you are elevated into another world or in other dimensions." (Epoch Times)

Netra Gurung, a civil engineer, has designed railway tracks and bridges for over 15 years. He was ecstatic about seeing Shen Yun.

“I feel ecstatic, it’s really great, I enjoyed 110% what I found out. I’m very happy. It’s one show in a lifetime. Not to be missed.”

Mr. Gurung was touched by the music, “It was the soft music, the beautiful movement and then you are elevated into another world or in other dimensions.”

“I would like to tell the performers, this is one of the unique shows that had ever been. I have watched a lot of other shows but this is one, you know I can’t explain in words, one of the best of the best.”

‘The costumes are very beautiful and vibrant’

Pippa MacKenzie, a project delivery executive in an engineering company, who has studied classical music for many years, was drawn to watch the performance through her passion for design and music.

“I think the costumes are beautiful, they are very vibrant. They seem to reflect the nature of the scenes that are depicted in the background,” she said.

“Every detail is given meticulous attention and is a result of artistic inspiration and careful polishing. The designers stress harmonic balance and contrast. Their objective is an authentic presentation of the attire that comes from China’s divinely inspired traditional culture, and a consummate stage effect,” the website says.

“The colours are extraordinary they’re very eye catching and it’s lovely to see the history of the Chinese costumes through this performance,” she said.

Ms. MacKenzie was very interested to experience the ‘Eastern meets the Western music’ as mentioned in the advertisement material. She said the music was wonderful and she had never heard anything like it.

“I was very interested to hear of the differences in the music as far as the Western music we have, say in a piano we have 8 keys to an octave, whereas in the Eastern music there are 12 keys, so I did hear that it’s difficult to combine both. I think they have done an extraordinary job, and it’s very pleasing to hear. It’s lovely.”

“The acting in classical Chinese dance involves coordinating facial expression with physical movement, which, when merged together, results in an amplified form of expression,” the Shen Yun website said.”

“I think it’s beautiful, very entertaining. I’m amazed with the ease of the dancers, they make everything look very easy, they’re very elegant, very colourful and it’s quite extraordinary to watch. I’m very thrilled to be here,” she said.

Ms. MacKenzie was also very happy to learn about the history of Eastern culture.

‘It’s just amazing’

Concetta Masterson enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2015. (Laurel Andress/Epoch Times)

Concetta Masterson, a pre-medicine student, and her sister Milana, a business and law student, also attended the performance.

Concetta was inspired by the portrayal of the Chinese culture, especially the compassion element.

“I think that it really encourages you to take some of those values like compassion into your daily life and inspires you to try to be more like the ideals that they promote in their performance,” she said.

“I love it, it’s so different to anything that I’ve seen before but it’s really incredible. I really love all the costuming and everything, it’s just amazing.”

Both sisters were amazed at how all aspects of the performance worked together in harmony.

“I would just say how exquisite and perfect the movements are and the music is, and how well I think it fits together, and it’s beautifully crafted,” said Milana.

Milana said she plays the piano and felt it gave her greater appreciation of the soprano soloists accompanied by the piano.

“I could really relate to the piano piece and fully appreciate how amazing the piano segment was. It was incredible! And with the orchestra there— as well as the dancing segment,” she said. “They complement each other so beautifully.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Margo MacVicar

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