BRISBANE, Australia—Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson attended the opening performance of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour at the Queensland Conservatorium Theatre in Brisbane on April 9.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson, previously in publishing, but now run their own business, were pleasantly surprised. Mr. Sanderson was particularly impressed with the state-of-the-art visual backdrop saying: “I think Western theatre productions can take a leaf out of the Chinese method of stage production, because they add a whole new dimension of realism combining the video background with the live stage performance.”
The digital backdrops at each Shen Yun show bring classical Chinese dance into the 21st century, giving each scene an added visual depth and grandeur. Each backdrop is custom-designed to match a given dance’s costumes, story line, lighting, and even choreography.
“It gives it an extra dimension that bridges the gap between stage and film,” he added.
Mr. Sanderson was deeply affected by the performance called Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution.
This dance depicts the harsh reality of oppression that exists for millions of people in China today, as witnessed by an innocent family whose father is persecuted for practising Falun Dafa, a traditional spiritual discipline.
“I was moved to tears by the performance of the Falun Dafa/Falun Gong people. I think it's a pity that a land with so much culture, so much colour, and so much love is dominated by so few with bad intentions.
“I loved the show. I thought it was very, very beautiful … beautiful costumes, colourful, beautiful dancing, very professional, very precise.”
Shen Yun ibrings together leading dancers, choreographers, and musicians from around the world. Its productions are unique in being not only, fun and entertaining, but also educational, enriching, and uplifting.
“It gave me a better understanding of Chinese cultural history. It was interesting, very uplifting, and made me feel very good inside,” said Mrs. Sanderson.
“There was a lovely purity about it, a very happy, happy show,” she added.
Two management consultants, Ms. Shorrocks and Ms. Tunny, were also impressed by Shen Yun.
“I don’t know what we were expecting, but it’s incredibly vibrant, really alive. It’s culturally educational as well.”
Ms. Tunny was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the highly-acclaimed vocalists.
“I wasn’t expecting the music and the singing. I was expecting just dance, but I think that really added to it. It’s just amazing.
“They [the singers] are definitely bringing across the emotional side. It’s just fantastic.”
Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving ancient Chinese heritage through the performing arts.
Ms. Shorrocks said: “I think it’s very educational, art-wise certainly and spiritually too, because there’s an awful lot of spiritual content here. Perhaps we weren’t educated so much in the Asian way of thought, as perhaps the new kids [generation] coming through, but it’s certainly quite enlightening for us culturally.”
Her friend, Ms. Tunny, agreed.
“We’re in the Asia-Pacific, but we really don’t know enough about the cultures around us, so it’s an eye-opener in that respect.”
Ms. Shorrocks believed Shen Yun had a difficult task to enlighten the world about China's divinely inspired culture.
“I think they’ve got a big one! If Chinese culture is in dire straits—the fact that they are pushing the message out there. It’s very enjoyable too. I think that makes it so much better—the fact that it is so enjoyable, and it’s not just pushing any barriers,” she said.
Ms. Shorrocks thought Shen Yun was so beautifully delivered that people would be inspired to look deeper into Chinese culture.
She was also interested in the contemporary scene Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution that depicts the story of a daughter whose father is persecuted to death for practising Falun Gong.
“I was interested in the Falun Gong part of it. I had no idea.
“I think the fact that they are being persecuted, and yet the spiritual nature of it, I think was very interesting. The fact that there is hope, I like that.”
Nick Mclaughlin contributed to this report.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org