AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Magical and unforgettable moments were imprinted in the hearts of an enthusiastic audience as the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour performed its final show at Auckland’s ASB Theatre on Friday, April 17.
People came from the length and breadth of the country, Aotearoa—Land of the Long White Cloud—to see the world-class performance of China’s milliennia-old traditions portrayed in classical Chinese dance and music.
Among them was Ms. Oldham, a legal and litigation instructor. She was with her mother, now retired.
Both thought Shen Yun was “very impressive” and “wonderful.”
Ms. Oldham mentioned the dance The Udumbara’s Bloom, a performance about the legendary Udumbara flower of Buddhist lore said to blossom but once in every 3,000 years. Rich with spiritual import, it’s unfolding is said to herald the coming of a great sage or enlightened being.
“How graceful it was, and the formation,” Ms. Oldham recalled.
“It was interesting to see the gymnastic part that actually comes from dance. I saw similarities to what you see in the Olympics, which apparently comes from ancient Chinese dance. That was interesting.”
Ms. Oldman also enjoyed the integration of the 3-D digital backdrop accompanying each performance.
With stunning imagery and beautiful landscapes, the backdrops whisk the audience away to another realm.
‘Honoured to watch such beauty’
Mr. and Mrs. Watson spoke as one when they said they felt honoured to have this chance to see Shen Yun.
“I feel very honoured to watch such beauty—very beautiful people ... It was just so elegant, colourful, and refreshing,” Mrs. Watson declared.
Her husband was impressed with the performance of the male singers, describing them as “fantastic.”
“The narratives were easy to understand,” said Mrs. Watson.
The couple would take friends to the show when it returns to New Zealand next year.
Shen Yun Is ‘Spectacular’
Mr. Gillard, a pharmacist, was also in the audience. He enjoyed the dances and deepened his knowledge of Chinese culture.
“It was interesting to see that a lot of these kind of gymnastic moves came from Chinese dance originally, which we didn’t realise. So we learned something.”
It was the first time he had seen a show like Shen Yun Performing Arts and he said it was “spectacular.”
Mr. and Mrs. Terpen had nothing but words of praise for Shen Yun.
“I thought it was wonderful, the costumes were great, and the dancers were awesome. …The choreography was beautiful,” said Mrs. Terpen.
‘A magical feast’
Mr. McLaren, self-employed, and his wife, a property investor, agreed the show was “colourful,” and overall “a magical feast for the eyes.”
“They’ve got a big sense of history and pride in it,” Mrs. McLaren said.
As for the digital backdrops, she said, “I just thought they were mind-boggling. They were just so well done. It must be a new technology as far as I am concerned. They wove it into the show so well.”
She said she would tell her friends not to miss the show next year. ... “It’s a magical time, it just encompasses the whole thing. I don’t think any of those singers needed a microphone—they have got powerful and beautiful voices. The diction and everything was wonderful and I just enjoyed every minute of it.”
Raiatea Tahana-Reese 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
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