SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘Shen Yun took me to another world,’ Author Says

Apr 25, 2014
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‘Shen Yun took me to another world,’ Author Says
Adelaide Festival Theatre, South Australia. (Epoch Times)

ADELAIDE, Australia—Shen Yun Performing Arts opened at the Adelaide Festival Centre on April 19 to curtain calls and encores. Writer Val Oldfield Arbon described the performance as “absolutely brilliant, stunning and brilliant.”

Mrs. Arbon wrote No Beating Around the Bush, a story of 10 years living with the dust, dingoes, and extraordinary characters of the Birdsville Track, one of the harshest places in Australia, a vast contrast to the life of a socialite in Adelaide.

“The costumes and dancing were excellent—excellent and very different,” she said.

Although Mrs. Arbon, who teaches yoga, considers herself flexible, she was amazed at the ability and flexibility of the dancers. She said, “I could only wish I was a little more flexible when I saw what was happening here in the show.”

Based in upstate New York, Shen Yun has classical Chinese dance at its heart. “Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired,” the website states.

Shen Yun uses a state-of-the art digital backdrop that transports audiences to scenic vista and heavenly realms. Mrs. Arbon appreciated the backdrops and the costumes, the blending and interaction between them.

“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “The visual effects, … the colours were beautiful, and it was just great.”

As a writer and storyteller, Mrs. Arbon appreciated the mini-dramas depicting legends and myths as well as contemporary stories, all told through dance.

“The stories and mini dramas were easy to understand, as the visual effects that were used as a backdrop brought the story to life,” she said. “The Chinese music added to the visual effect.”

She said that seeing Shen Yun made her feel happy and uplifted her spirits. “Shen Yun took me to another world of colourful magic. Any negative thoughts disappeared, leaving me feeling happy and alive,” she said.

“Do not miss this wonderful experience, as it is so unique, colourful, and beautifully presented,” Mrs. Arbon said.

Reporting by NTD Television and Leigh Smith

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006