Shen Yun a Treat for Father and Daughter

Kenneth and Kim Hall took in the matinee performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts on Saturday in Vancouver.
Shen Yun a Treat for Father and Daughter
Ryan Moffatt
1/12/2013
Updated:
8/14/2015

VANCOUVER, Canada—Father and daughter Kenneth and Kim Hall took in the matinee performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts on Saturday afternoon at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.

Seeing the performance for the first time, the two enjoyed many different aspects of the show, commenting on everything from the live orchestra and the skill of the dancers, to the digital backdrop.

It’s a great show,“ said Mr. Hall, a retired mechanical engineer who worked in the petroleum business. ”I enjoyed it very much.”

He was particularly impressed with the digital backdrop behind the performers on stage, depicting heavenly realms and ancient landscapes. The backdrop also interacts with the dancers, aiding in Shen Yun’s story-based dances that showcase myths and legends from China’s past.

“With the background of various areas and the way in which they had performers going in and out, I thought that was very effective,” he said

He was also very impressed with Shen Yun’s dancers, who employ the highest calibre of Chinese Classical dance, an art form that is 5,000 years old and one of China’s cultural treasures.

“The athleticism of the dancers is unreal and very, very good,” said Mr. Hall

Both father and daughter were especially fascinated with Shen Yun’s handmade costumes, an aspect of the show that has impressed many theatregoers.

“Oh they’re great. They’re great and they were using authentic costumes of the areas they were representing—the Western groups, the Tibetans, the Mongolians—and that makes it very attractive too,” said Mr. Hall.

“The costumes were gorgeous,” added Ms. Hall, a physiotherapist and amateur violinist. “The sequins and things sewn onto the women’s costumes—they shook, they shone, so that was really beautiful.”

Shen Yun’s orchestra was a real highlight for Ms. Hall, who appreciated the blend of Chinese and Western instruments.

“Sometimes I was closing my eyes just to listen to the music. I thought it was so beautiful,” she said.

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s Touring Company will play five shows in Vancouver Jan. 10-13, while the New York Company will complete its tour of eastern Canada with five shows in Toronto Jan. 17–20. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

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