PARIS—In Paris in the middle of winter, what could be more comforting than being in a theater where colors and positive energies illuminate the stage and the souls of the audience?

Born in Ireland, the professor emeritus of the Paris-Sorbonne University, specializes in the literature and civilization of the Middle Ages. He is also the director of the Center For Medieval English Studies. The scholar was made a Knight of the Order of Academic Palms in 2003 and an Officer in 2014. His life’s work has been bringing old texts and lore of history to life through vivid analysis.

On Wednesday evening, Mr. Carruthers discovered China---and not the grey and dreary China of the modern day as he said he typically sees, but “the traditional China, old China, multicultural China.”

“I am delighted to discover all these different ethnic groups, cultures, and dances,” Mr. Carruthers said. “It makes me want to go to China. I know absolutely nothing about China, except what we see on TV. I’ve never been there. And now it makes me want to discover China.”

Indeed, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, showing many of the 50-plus ethnic and groups that populate China, as well as the dynasties that followed one after another over the millennia, each bringing its own heritage and traditions.

“I have seen angels. I felt the presence of angels transmitting the culture,” he said.

“That doesn’t surprise me, because in many cultures, we find this idea that culture---languages, arts---come from Heaven. And that’s because it speaks to something that’s inside the human being. It’s his spiritual side,” Mr. Carruthers said.

Indeed, the program introduces this idea as well. It states that Shen Yun artists continue in this noble tradition, believing that the cultivating of their inner selves in order to bring their audiences art that truly brings joy and inspires. It adds that many of these artists practice the spiritual discipline Falun Dafa, which teaches the three principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Because Falun Dafa embodies the essence of traditional Chinese culture, it is currently being severely persecuted by the communist regime in China.

Mr. Carruthers was not surprised to learn this practice and its adherents were persecuted, as under a communist state, “having beliefs different from what was politically accepted led to persecution.”

He added that this also speaks to us in the West, where we feel strongly about the ideas of freedom of conscience and freedom of belief.

Amid the beauty and the eye-opening ideas, one of the things Mr. Carruthers was sure he was leaving with was to recommend the performance.

“I'll tell all my friends that it’s worth coming to see it,” he said.