OXFORD, UK—Learning about a foreign culture can be both exciting and daunting, but experiencing it through the universal languages of dance and music can make it much more accessible.

“I think that they were brilliant,” said Mr. Clode. “I think that they were so professional and amazing. They’ve obviously worked very, very hard and we’re really excited to see this. It’s new, it’s unique, I haven’t seen anything like this before.”

As a designer, Ms. Clode appreciated Shen Yun’s exquisite costumes.

“The colors, the patterns, the intricacy of the costumes—I’ve loved seeing the traditional Chinese dresses and how they’re used in the choreography of the movement.”

The father and daughter duo praised Shen Yun for spreading the truth about what was happening in China.

“It’s really, really eye-opening to see some of the realities of what living in China is like at the moment,” said Ms. Clode.

“I thought it was fantastic, showing [the] persecution in China, which is really topical at the moment,” Mr. Clode added. “I thought was really great and very brave.”

“I would love to see a return to tradition [in] China,” said Ms. Clode. “It makes me so sad to think how much it has been changed because of the control there at the moment. How brave they (Shen Yun) are to be performing this and how proud it must make them feel that they are dancing and wearing the costumes of pre-communist China.”

“I’m a Christian, I believe in God, I loved seeing how they (Shen Yun) have incorporated their faith in this and how they believe that God is their hope for their future,” she said. “I very much believe that too, so that’s beautiful to see. I hope that there is a return to that for China.”