SYDNEY, Australia—On March 29, construction business owner Isaac Wood attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ final show at the Sydney Lyric and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“I thought it was really good. I loved all the little stories and the dancers were just incredible,” Mr. Wood said.
He found the piece Peacock Paradise, in which celestial maidens danced gracefully amid the clouds, especially beautiful. However, the performance that moved him most was the story raising awareness about the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of people of faith in China.
“I really loved the story about ... the communist regime and how [the people are] fighting against it,” he said.
“I think it’s a really important thing for people to understand about any culture that’s been oppressed. It’s a shame that a lot of ancient culture has been suppressed by dictatorship.”
Founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who fled persecution, the New York-based Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving the beauty and virtues of China before communism.
Its production is comprised of a series of short pieces that takes its audience on a ride through the dynasties and across the vast regions of China. Using classical Chinese, folk, and ethnic dances, as well as solo musical performances, Shen Yun tells tales from ancient times to the modern day.
Commenting on the reported threats made by Chinese communist agents toward the Australian prime minister and the theatre in an attempt to thwart Shen Yun’s performances, Mr. Wood said his family had heard about them, but it did not deter them from attending.
He believes more people should come out to support Shen Yun because “it’s really important to get their stories out and for people to be aware of this sort of thing.”
Moreover, Mr. Wood felt the artists conveyed a sincere and powerful presence on stage. He agreed wholeheartedly with their mission to bring back traditional Chinese culture and spirituality.
“It’s incredible, and I’m really for it. It needs to happen because there’s so much beauty and color,” Mr. Wood said. “It’s a great idea to bring awareness and hopefully revive a lot of that old culture.”
The artists exuded “very palpable energy. ... They’re obviously great actors and great performers and great dancers,” he said.
As a Christian, Mr. Wood shared that the message he was taking home from the performance was one of kindness and respect.
“A lot of the dances and a lot of the stories had that element to them, of being rewarded for kindness,” he said, adding that he believes Shen Yun encourages everyone to “be kind to people and live a respectful life.”
When asked to describe Shen Yun in a few words for those who have yet to see it, Mr. Wood said the experience was very moving, exciting, and thrilling. “It was a great show,” he added.
