SYDNEY—Warm applause filled Sydney’s Capitol Theatre as Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company took the stage for a second night on Saturday April 28.
Managing Director of Symbio Wildlife Park, John Radnidge came with his wife Margaret, son Matt, zookeeper at the wildlife park, and Kylie Eliot, head zookeeper. Mr. Radnidge said he was enthralled from start to finish.
Symbio Wildlife Park was established in 1975 as a small wildlife park and has become an award winning zoo and tourist attraction.
“Fantastic! It was really an inspirational piece,” Mr. Radnidge said of the performance. “The history and the culture and the work that’s gone into a production of that type is quite amazing … I think it’s something that everybody would be inspired to see. Quite remarkable.”
Ancient Chinese people held a belief that their culture was divinely-bestowed, but after some 60 years of communist rule, this gift has been desecrated. Thus, Shen Yun, established in New York in 2006 by a group of overseas Chinese artists, strives to revive these ancient traditions through a collection of Chinese legends, folktales and contemporary stories, the company’s website says.
These stories are portrayed in classical Chinese dance, song and music, conveying China’s rich traditional values of relevance today. A full orchestra playing a fusion of Eastern and Western instrumentals, hi-tech digital backdrops, hundreds of handmade and ornamented costumes and stage props, are in support.
