GEELONG, Australia—Shen Yun performers took the stage for the first time at Costa Hall in Geelong on April 3. A former ballet dancer, and a singer in a choir, attended.
Ms. Patzold, the former ballet dancer from Komishe Oper Berlin Ballet Company in Germany, thought the skill of the dancers was of a high calibre.
“I think it was very artistic, very gentle. I saw lots of arm movements, which I think are absolutely amazing. Like for us Westerners, Europeans, and Australians for example, the arm movements look swan like, but here, it’s more than that. They have so many more stories to tell. I think all the arm movements and the costumes are absolutely amazing. It was very, very colourful.”
Ms. Patzold defected to Australia from East Germany when touring with her Ballet Company in 1980, after their final performance in Sydney. She didn’t speak a word of English, and got by hiding in car boots and dark street corners. Since hers was the highest profile defection case for years, she received massive media attention. She was put on the cover on Woman’s Weekly, and did dozens of radio and newspaper interviews. Soon after, Ms. Patzold was approached by Australian dance companies, and was soon dancing solos for Sydney Dance Company. Ms. Patzold has written an autobiography on her phenomenal life.
Of the Shen Yun performance, Ms. Patzold thought that the formations of the dances were very beautiful and reminded her a lot of classical ballet.
Mrs. Kennedy, a singer, enjoyed looking at the beautiful, heavenly scenes.
“It was spectacular really. The setting and everything, it was beautiful. I didn’t know what to expect, and it was an amazing production. Such beautiful costumes too. I also like the flowers and poppies in the scene as well,” Mrs. Kennedy said.
“The scenery, the background, they are absolute beautiful. I think it was an art itself,” Ms. Patzold added.
The two ladies commented that they could see aspects of Chinese martial arts in the dance choreography, and that seeing this made them feel relaxed and tranquil.
“Every little bit had a story to tell. A moral.
“I didn’t see a flaw in it of course, they didn’t make any mistakes. Everything was just so beautiful. It really was. I loved it. I had no idea of what I was going to be in for when I came, really I hadn’t read much about it, but I thought that this will be a lovely night,” said Mrs. Kennedy.
Being a singer in a choir, Mrs. Kennedy also appreciated the strong and deep singer of contralto, Yang Jiansheng who sang the moving song entitled “Pause to Notice.”
When asked to describe her favourite piece in the show, Ms. Patzold answered “I couldn’t pick a favourite one. Everything was beautiful.”
Chani Blue 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
