SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

It Feels Like Going Back to Ancient Times: NHS Officer Praises Shen Yun’s Divine Music

Jan 17, 2026

1/17/2026Updated: 1/18/2026

LONDON, UK—Shen Yun Performing Arts’ exquisite music has the power to transport audiences into a heavenly realm—and to carry them back to ancient China. That was the experience of Mariam Masood and Aamir Hussain after attending a London performance on Shen Yun’s 2026 world tour.

On the evening of Jan. 16, the two finally fulfilled a long-held wish to see Shen Yun perform at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. After the show, they shared their impressions—especially of Shen Yun’s music, which left a deep and lasting impression on them both.

Ms. Masood said the music was sacred and beautiful, touching the heart and prompting reflection on life.

“It’s really different, and it touches the soul,” she said. “The percussion, the piano, and the entire live orchestra are all amazing. Because we also come from an Eastern culture, we can relate to it.”

She described the music as sacred and timeless. “I feel the music is very moving—so divine and so spiritual,” she said. “It connects you to the perception of life. It feels like going back centuries and centuries.”

Mr. Hussain added that the music deeply resonated with him. “Chinese music is very attractive,” he said. “It feels like walking into heaven—it’s a completely different experience.”

Ms. Masood works as a development officer with an NHS Trust in the United Kingdom’s healthcare system. Mr. Hussain is a videographer. Both said they had waited many years to see Shen Yun.

Ms. Masood praised the overall performance. “I think it’s a fantastic performance,” she said. “I really loved the costumes, the music, and the dance. It’s just spectacular—very enjoyable.”

As a visual professional, Mr. Hussain said Shen Yun’s aesthetics stood out to him immediately.

“Color combination is most important when you are doing any video. Shen Yun’s color combination is so good, it’s perfect,” he said. “And the performers’ body language is also very professional.”

Mr. Hussain revealed that his fondness for Chinese culture began early in life. “I’ve loved Chinese culture since I was young,” he said. “I don’t know why, but even though I don’t understand Chinese, music doesn’t need language. When I listen to it, the feeling is impossible to describe—it’s very beautiful.”

Ms. Masood described this experience as a cultural bond. “It’s a connection—a cultural connection,” she said. “Times are changing, but tradition and culture are truly important. I come from Indian culture, so I understand how important it is for the Chinese people to preserve their culture.”

She also praised Shen Yun’s singers, noting that the translation helped her understand the deeper meaning of the lyrics in the songs.

“The translation was very good—it conveys the message of the divinity, the culture, and the connection to the heavens. It just hits the heart,” she said.

When asked about the stories depicting the persecution of faith groups by the communist regime in China, Ms. Masood emphasized the importance of belief. “I think we should keep faith as much as possible,” she said. “Faith is what we build ourselves on and what we identify with.”

At the end of the interview, Ms. Masood expressed her appreciation for the artists. “You’re doing an amazing job,” she said. “Please keep it up. The costumes, the performance, the coordination—everything is perfect.”

Reporting by Say Huang and Olivia Li.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.