SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Legal Editor Says Shen Yun Carries ‘A Lot of Positivity’

Feb 08, 2026

2/8/2026Updated: 2/8/2026

GLASGOW, UK—The beauty of Chinese culture drew Katie Buchanan, her young son, and her mother to Shen Yun Performing Arts, and they were enthralled by the performance at the SEC Armadillo theater on Feb. 8.

Ms. Buchanan, a legal editor, said, “I thought it was fantastic. I learned a lot about China. I didn’t know all the things that they taught you. I thought it was really beautiful.”

Shen Yun shares many stories from ancient China that carry powerful messages. Ms. Buchanan said the message was “the beauty of tradition, the beauty of culture, and the things that we can learn from it as well.

“There’s positivity, a lot of positivity there,” she said.

For Ms. Baker, the message was “the power of prayer and understanding, and kindness.”

“They brought it all together—the history—[through] dance,” she said. “It was wonderful.”

Ms. Buchanan enjoyed the humor in Shen Yun as well. “You know, the little jokes within it. Even my 9-year-old really liked it, as well as my mum—all across the generations. It was a good one to watch.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture from “China before communism.” A dance story set in modern times, “The Steadfast Heart” tells of the relentless suppression and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the communist regime today.

That was very moving for Ms. Buchanan and her mother. “Yes, the mum and the son piece. It was quite moving, especially as I have two sons. Afterwards, the gentleman said it was based on a true story or inspired by real events. Imagine that for believing in something—so that was very moving,” Ms. Buchanan said.

“It just brings it home: how the restrictions, how the governments, or even how the politics work,” Ms. Baker said.

Shen Yun shares traditional Chinese culture with the world. Ms. Buchanan said the deep spirituality of the culture and moral lessons in its myths and legends are still pertinent for today’s society.

“I think it’s very relevant,” Ms. Buchanan said. “I think the idea that it’s not shown in China itself is ... it amazes me because it’s something to be proud of. It’s quite surprising [to me] coming from the UK that it wouldn’t be allowed [in China].

“I think it’s such a beautiful thing to want to pass on. Even if times do change, it’s still beautiful to remember all the goodness that we’ve come from, and all the beauty. And [there’s] a lot to learn as well.”

Shen Yun performances feature a live orchestra with both Eastern and Western instruments that bring to life the stories unfolding on stage.

Ms. Buchanan said, “The music was beautiful. It was really very dramatic in places and builds up, and it’s got comic elements as well.”

Mother and daughter both praised the soloist musician who plays the two-string instrument called an erhu. “She was beautiful. I’ve never heard that before,” Ms. Buchanan said.

“Amazing, amazing. The lady, the instrument, yes. That was beautiful,” Ms. Baker said. Ms. Buchanan’s sons both agreed.

A unique feature of Shen Yun performances is the patented digital backdrop that allows its performers to interact with the animations. “That was amazing how they did it,” Ms. Buchanan said.

“It just worked out how they could draw in the backdrop, and then they stepped on stage,” Ms. Baker said. “It was clever.”

Ms. Buchanan noted that Shen Yun performs a new show every year. “They said that they changed it every year, which I wasn’t aware of, that it was a new production every year. So that’s interesting.”

To the performer, dancers, and musicians, Ms. Buchanan had words of praise: “Well done. It’s absolutely beautiful, and it’s an amazing thing to have seen. They should be very proud of themselves.”

Reporting by Jenna Zhan and Yvonne Marcotte.

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