Shen Yun Performing Arts kicked off the Canadian leg of its international tour with a successful three-show run in Québec City Dec. 27 to 29.

The New York-based company presented its all-new 2014 show at Salle Louis-Fréchette in the Grand Théâtre de Québec, the city’s renowned arts complex.

Theatergoers were thrilled by Shen Yun’s depiction of the rich traditional culture developed over China’s 5,000-year-old history.

For Quebec MP Bernard Drainville, who attended with his wife and three children, the show was not only world-class entertainment but also an educational experience.

“It’s a very pleasant show and wonderful to see with the whole family. It’s like travelling from dynasty to dynasty, from one Chinese region to another,” he said.

“It’s educational; it is educating society and me as well. We need to be educated about this topic.”

The opening show on Dec. 27 left studio owner and veteran dancer Denise Paradis just as pleased as she was when she saw the renowned production for the first time last year. 

“It’s magical,” she said. “There’s always something new—the costumes, the choreography, and the way the spectacle is presented. So, for me, I’m completely sold on Shen Yun!”

As a veteran dancer and performer, Ms. Paradis recognized the professionalism of the performers and the remarkable effort and “serious training” that went into the production.

“The technique they have, the hard work, it tells me something,” she said. “It’s extraordinary.”

Like Ms. Paradis, veteran actress Denise Gagnon also said she found magic in Shen Yun.

“It’s a beautiful show, very colourful, very lively,” said Ms. Gagnon, who currently performs with le Théâtre du Trident, a prominent cultural institution in Québec City.

“It was magical, I found,” Ms. Gagnon added.

Sylvie Couture, a masseuse-physiotherapist who operates her own clinic, was simply blown away by Shen Yun’s lavish production.

“I think it’s divine. It’s pure. It touches the soul and you can’t be insensitive to such a wonderful show,” she said.

“It’s really WHOA! There’s no words to describe the show.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the essence of traditional Chinese culture—which was almost lost under communist rule—and to restore virtues inherent in that culture such as compassion and justice, propriety and wisdom, and respect for the heavens.

Indeed, Ms. Couture said she found spiritual nourishment in the show.

“It heals the soul for sure,” she said. “The show is nourishing, so for the people who really need to change their routine, it’s a show to see to be nourished, it’s a nice gift to give oneself.”

‘Everything is quite extraordinary’

Alain Alzas, president of an award-winning company that specializes in restoring and treating natural stones, was particularly struck the colours and visual effects. 

“It’s very colourful, the colours are unbelievable,” he said. “Magnificent stage play, the colours—everything is quite extraordinary.” 

“We can really see all of China’s culture and it’s really wonderful. All the actors on stage are really extraordinary,” he added, giving the show a “10 out of 10.”

Ms. Richard, a retired clothing designer and owner of a company called Patchwork Design that offers all-handmade garments, gave warm praise to Shen Yun’s glamorous costumes.

“It’s colourful, it’s refined, very much so. I really like the oriental aspect, the aspect of the colour,” she said. 

Each Shen Yun production showcases more than 400 intricate costumes. All are original designs and handmade, often hand-stitched.

“I dance as well, so I can appreciate the synchronicity and professionalism of the dancers. It’s really incredible,” Ms. Richard added.

Pierre Simard, who owns a bed & breakfast establishment in the city, said that what he took away from the show was its beauty. 

“It’s trying to recreate the beauty of the heavens on earth,” he said.

Shen Yun will now continue on to Ottawa (Jan. 2-4), Montreal (Jan. 6-9), Hamilton (Jan. 11-12), Kitchener-Waterloo (Jan. 14-15), Mississauga (Jan. 16-19), Toronto Jan. (23-26), and Vancouver (Jan. 23-25) on the Canadian leg of its 2014 global tour.

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.