SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Theatergoer: ‘It Was Worth Coming Just for the Smiles Alone’

Jan 21, 2026

1/21/2026Updated: 1/21/2026

NORTHAMPTON, UK—Carole Bower, an artist, and Nicholas Bower, a company director, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 20 at Royal & Derngate.

“I just thought it was magnificent, colorful. I think it was worth coming just for the smiles alone from everybody,” Mr. Bower said.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“It’s a great eye-opener to a culture that we don’t really hear much about or know much about,” M. Bower said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“I really appreciate the movement of dance because I used to dance when I was young. So I appreciate all the effort that goes into each movement. And especially with all the timing. It was just so skilful, Ms. Bower said.

Shen Yun’s website states that classical Chinese dance training includes three main components—technical skill, form, and bearing, which is one of the many ways that classical Chinese dance is different from ballet.

“I can appreciate all the hard work that must have gone into all the routines, because our granddaughter is part of a small dance group, and we know all the effort she puts in. So I can only imagine how much effort and hard work goes into the show. It’s just fantastic,” Mr. Bower said.

Another thing that sets classical Chinese dance apart from ballet is the footwork. While ballerinas dance en pointe, female dancers of classical Chinese dance use small, quick steps called “yuan chang,” which gives the illusion of the dancer floating across the stage.

“It was the effortless stillness of the female dancers in particular, the way they just glided across the floor. They make it look so easy. It’s just amazing,” Ms. Bower said.

Mr. Bower shared that he enjoyed the Mongolian ethnic dances as well as “Peacock Paradise,” while Ms. Bower appreciated the humor in the dance story, “How the Monkey King Came to Be.”

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“It just sent me to another place, to the Far East. I do appreciate the traditional sound of the Chinese instruments,” Mr. Bower said.

One instrument that shone under the spotlight was the two-stringed erhu.

“I was transported. And it was very moving, actually. … It just grips you inside. And it just speaks to you, and you can’t explain it,” Ms. Bower said.

Reporting by NTD and Maria Han.

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