MONTPELLIER - Monday, March 9, marked the end of a series of ten performances by Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Corum in Montpellier. The next stop on Shen Yun’s 2026 tour in France will be Limoges, starting on March 12.
“It’s a show that makes you feel good,” says Jean-Marie Herrera, a retired school inspector. “We come to see it because we saw the ad on TV, we think we’re going to be amazed, and we’re not wrong. It’s amazing, and it’s also quite captivating and moving. I had tears in my eyes at times.”
Florence Saury, a retired army accountant, shares her impressions: “It’s a very colorful, lively show that’s enjoyable to watch and very diverse. The scenes change regularly, it’s well presented, and I really liked it.”
“What I really liked was when the man turns into a monkey and then becomes a bit like a god,” she said.
“It’s true that the scene with the Monkey King is really well done,” adds his brother. “It’s surprising because it’s the first time we’ve seen the actor step out of the painting.”
“There’s humor, but there are also little moments where messages come across,” notes Mr. Herrera. “It’s clear that there are messages about choosing to do good. You reap what you sow.”
“And then we also learn about traditional Chinese dance,” he said. “We learn things, and we’re amazed by the dancers’ talent, because it’s both beautiful and harmonious. They give us something that makes us have a good time. I think it’s afterwards that we might realize certain things. At the time, we’re still overwhelmed with emotion.”
Jean-Marie Herrera sensed that there was a purpose behind the show.
“We think to ourselves, they want to convey something to us, they want to question us, they don’t want us to remain passive spectators, without reflection. So through something beautiful, they still lead us to ask ourselves questions. And in times like these, we understand that very well. In any case, it feels good.”
This aspect made an impression on Mrs. Saury.
“When [the presenter] says that in China, you couldn’t see a show like this, it makes you think about China, even today,” she admits.
In any case, she will recommend the show to those around her. “If only to have a good time, for the visuals alone. And then everyone will reflect on the scenes they see.”
“If I could take them, that would be good, even if they don’t understand everything. I think children are quite sensitive to certain things, and that they will naturally pick up on things.
“When you see something beautiful that makes you feel good, it’s nice to share it with your family. So yes, we would recommend it,” he said.
“We understood that just because we had seen one show didn’t mean we had seen everything ...” said the retiree, referring to the fact that Shen Yun produces a completely new show every year, with new choreography, new stories, new musical compositions, and new costumes.
A retired couple who used to run a shop had no idea they were in for such a fabulous show when they went to the Corum in Montpellier with tickets given to them by friends who couldn’t go.
“Absolutely extraordinary,” Gérard Olivé said. “It was beautiful and magnificent. They are more than professionals, they are absolutely fabulous.”
“You can see that this represents hours of work, it’s fabulous,” she said. “It’s extraordinary, there are no other words for it.”
“I think it will take some time to reflect on it all,” she explains. “We are in awe of everything we have seen. We don’t yet have the perspective to reflect on it, but I think that will come later.”
“It’s something extraordinary to see,” Gérard Olivé repeats. “But really, I absolutely did not expect it. This show is magnificent.”
