OTTAWA, Canada—Two judges, Patrick Smith and his wife Bonnie Warkentin, found Friday evening’s Shen Yun Performing Arts show at the National Arts Centre nothing short of delightful.
“How well rehearsed they were, and their costumes, it was beautiful, it was beautiful,” Mr. Smith said.
“The choreography is remarkable. The dancing and the colours, the costumes, and everything is so well put together. It’s quite a delight,” Ms. Warkentin said.
At the basis of Shen Yun’s performance is classical Chinese dance, “a dance form built on profound traditional aesthetics,” according to the program book.
Shen Yun’s dancers impressed both judges. It was the first time they had seen the show.
Regarding the colouful costumes, according to Shen Yun’s website, “The objective is an authentic presentation of the attire that comes from China’s divinely inspired traditional culture, and a consummate stage effect.”
That “consummate stage effect” was not lost on the couple.
“It’s a very professional show,” Mr. Smith said. “Everything that’s put together, the music, the dancing, the choreography, the costumes—everything is excellent. It’s well done.”
The 5,000-year journey through Chinese civilization that Shen Yun takes the audience on was termed a “culmination of culture” by Ms. Warkentin.
Mr. Smith has extensive experience in criminal and complex civil litigation. He has been appointed a Superior Court of Ontario Judge and has been extensively involved for several years in the education of lawyers and judges. He is a member of the Superior Court of Ontario Judicial Education Committee, a faculty member of the National Judicial Institute, and past instructor at the Ontario Bar Admission Programme.
His wife’s area of expertise is in estate litigation, estate planning and family law. She was a partner with Willoughby McLeod Warkentin LLP from 2003 to 2008 and a partner with Willoughby, McLeod from 1996 to 2003. She is is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice in and for the Province of Ontario.
The Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company was performing its 2014 program for the second time in Ottawa after opening night on Jan. 2. The company performed in Quebec City the week before and will head to Montreal after two more shows at the NAC on Saturday.
It’s the eighth year Shen Yun has visited Ottawa during its annual world tours.
Reporting by Fu Ming and Rahul Vaidyanath
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
