TORONTO—A fashion designer for one of Canada’s largest department stores took in the sights and sounds of Divine Performing Arts’ Sunday performance at John Bassett Theatre and left with a new appreciation for classical Chinese clothing.
“It’s nice to see, in a modern performance, traditional dancers who use traditional costumes because we always have to remember the history. History is the best source for everybody and for fashion as well—all of us come back, it’s our roots,” said Ms. Printsev.
Ms. Printsev said she liked the costumes and the traditions they represented as well as how they were used in the dance.
“They really use the costumes nicely in the dances. They show the flows of the water, flowers, different colours — it’s beautiful.”
She added that she was impressed by the quality of the dancers and praised their professional skills.
“They’re really good, really good.”
“I really enjoy it,” she added.
Speaking during intermission, Ms. Printsev said her favourite costumes so far were those used in the Dance of the Yi.
The Yi people, one of southern China’s largest ethnic groups, are known for their passion about music and dance.
Besides the costumes and dance, Ms. Printsev was also moved by the Divine Performing Arts symphony orchestra which combines traditional Chinese and Western instruments.
“You know the music is so relaxing—it is unbelievable.”
Ms. Printsev said she also enjoyed Divine Performing Arts innovative animated backdrops which provide a living scene in which each dance unfolds.
“It reflects the story of the dance, it shows what is going on and it helps us understand,” she said. “It’s quite nice because [there is] very beautiful scenery, and for those of us who have never been to China it is interesting to see, not just how people dance, but how they live, what kind of nature is there.”
She said that overall the show “calming.”
Divine Performing Arts will take to the stage twice more in Toronto on Tuesday and Wednesday evening before moving on to New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall. Divine Performing Arts has two other companies currently touring in the United States.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts International Tour.
For more information, please see divineperformingarts.org
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