VANCOUVER, Canada—Alexandra Fletcher was spellbound and her husband, Jianni, was brought to tears at times as they took in Vancouver’s final showing of Shen Yun Performing Arts at Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Sunday afternoon.
“There wasn’t one second when I didn’t feel moved watching the whole performance. It kept my interest through the whole thing,” said Mrs. Fletcher.
“Certain points had me in tears [from] the spiritual movement of the whole production,” Mr. Fletcher said.
The couple owns a successful business designing the interior of show homes, Mrs. Fletcher is the lead designer and Mr. Fletcher the professional photographer of the company.
They were deeply impressed with the talent and creativity in Shen Yun—from the elaborate sets and costumes to the dancers’ precise movements.
“There’s so much work and creative talent put into that, it’s unbelievable. The timing and the choreography was beautiful,” said Mrs. Fletcher.
“The colours were beautiful, the dancing was amazing,” added Mr. Fletcher.
New York-based Shen Yun was formed in 2006 when a group of overseas Chinese performers came together with the heartfelt mission to revive China’s traditional culture, a heritage that had been all but lost during 60-plus years of communist rule.
The show features a collection of short dance pieces that express the values and cherished beliefs of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, such as righteousness, wisdom, the triumph of good over evil, and reverence for the divine.
Mrs. Fletcher was deeply inspired by the efforts of the performers and the show’s positive themes.
“We found it really uplifting, very exhilarating, very hopeful. I loved the positive [message],” she said.
Mr. Fletcher said the show offered audiences a beacon of hope.
“The message is very important for today’s world,” he said. “It’s full of hope for man.”
Ms. Fletcher was amazed at the skill of the dancers who made even the most difficult techniques look effortless.
“How they balance so beautifully, the timing, I just know how difficult that is. It’s not easy. That’s what I loved,” she said.
Reporting by Chen Si and Justina Wheale
Shen Yun has three companies touring the world. The production will return to Canada in April to perform in Calgary, Edmonton, and Regina.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
