According to its website, New York-based Shen Yun aims to revive the nearly lost 5,000-year heritage of Chinese civilization. It tells stories through dance with the aid of an animated backdrop and an orchestra that blends Eastern and Western styles of music.
“I’ve never quite seen anything like it in my life. It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” said Councillor Jean Crossby, mayor of the London borough of Sutton.
“The calming effect on you, that what’s good about it,” said Mike Swallow, technical coordinator for English Gymnastics.
“You feel as if you’re in that place, which is beautiful, and you don’t have to have the outside world looking in at you. You’re there in it,” Tania Swallow added.
“I think there’s a lot of lost arts in Chinese dance form, and I think it should be a world-wide thing, and it’s a shame, like they said, about not being in China,” said dancer Aisling Longshaw.
Shen Yun is performing at the Dominion Theatre until Sunday, Feb. 25.
“I would say if you want the best evening of your life, please go and see it because it is absolutely wonderful. I’ve never quite seen anything like it. I’ve been to quite a few shows, but [Shen Yun] has really been the best one I’ve ever been to,” Ms. Crossby said.