SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Toulouse Audience Describes Shen Yun as ‘Superb,’ ‘Magical,’ ‘Extraordinary’

Apr 29, 2026

4/29/2026Updated: 4/30/2026

TOULOUSE, France—The Toulouse audience gave Shen Yun Performing Arts a warm welcome during its performance at the Zénith in Toulouse. Following the April 27 performance, several audience members shared their enthusiasm, describing the show as spectacular, educational, and deeply moving.

Between the splendor of the costumes, the virtuosity of the performers, and the discovery of a millennia-old culture, many said they had experienced something truly extraordinary.

Marcel Clermont, a musician and former banker from the Cantal region, was among the audience members captivated from the very first scene. A player of the cabrette, a traditional Auvergne bagpipe, he was particularly moved by the artistic quality of the performance.

“The show really blew me away,” he said. “The performers are absolutely fantastic; you can tell they’re professionals, of course.”

What struck him first were the carefully orchestrated visual elements on stage.

“I liked it because of the colors—those colors are truly extraordinary—and the music, the background, and then the 3D imagery spinning in the background; it’s fabulous. It all blends together perfectly.”

Shen Yun is indeed known for its interactive digital backdrop, which allows the dancers to transition seamlessly from the real world to celestial landscapes, imperial mountains, or ancient palaces. This visual effect complements the stories being told and enhances the immersive experience.

For Mr. Clermont, who is no stranger to music, the Shen Yun orchestra was also a highlight. The ensemble blends a Western symphony orchestra with traditional Chinese instruments, such as the erhu and the pipa, creating a unique sound.

“This music … it’s extraordinary. It gives you goosebumps,” he said.

The Power of Live Performance

Beyond the visual appeal, Mr. Clermont highlights the difference between watching clips of Shen Yun on a screen and seeing the performance live in a theater.

“Seeing it live, like this, is something else entirely. The characters are on a whole other level.”

Classical Chinese dance is known for its ability to convey emotions through movement. This unique expressiveness, rooted in traditional theater and ancient arts, imbues each scene with a vivid quality that often surprises many audience members.

The musician was also impressed by the team spirit evident on stage.

“They’re all full of energy … You can tell that something special is happening between them, something extraordinary.”

An Introduction to Chinese Culture

Chantal Boclair and her husband Jean-François Ozanne shared their thoughts on the Shen Yun performance at the Zénith in Toulouse on April 27, 2026. (NTD) — Chantal Boclair and her husband Jean-François Ozanne shared their thoughts on the Shen Yun performance at the Zénith in Toulouse on April 27, 2026. NTD

Chantal Boclair, a former nurse, was attending her first classical Chinese dance performance. She said she was captivated by the richness of what she was experiencing.

“Wonderful from start to finish. I learned so much because I’d never seen a Chinese ballet before. And I know nothing—absolutely nothing—about Chinese folklore. It was truly an eye-opening experience.”

Like many Western audience members, she knew very little about traditional Chinese culture before the evening. Shen Yun offers a journey through the dynasties, regions, and folk traditions of ancient China. Each dance tells a story: that of a loyal hero, a courageous young girl, a sage, or a legend from the heavens.

The costumes made a particularly strong impression on Ms. Boclair.

“Stunning, beautiful costumes, lots of fluidity, lots of color. It’s like being in a dream—in fact, it feels like you’re right in the middle of it.”

Shen Yun’s costumes draw inspiration from imperial attire, ethnic wear, and styles from various periods of Chinese history. The long, flowing sleeves, colorful ribbons, and silky fabrics enhance the dancers’ movements and contribute to the show’s visual poetry.

Her husband, Jean-François Ozanne, a former sailor in the French Navy, also praised the artistry of the performance. “In France, we don’t know much about Chinese history ... This show offers a glimpse into Chinese history through some really cool and beautiful scenes,” he said.

One of Shen Yun’s main focuses is precisely to revive the traditional values of ancient China: benevolence, loyalty, reverence for the divine, courage, filial piety, and harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity.

“This approach—with wisdom, Buddhism, and everything that fosters human values … that really is something entirely new,” she said.

An Invitation to Discover Another Side of China

When asked how they would describe Shen Yun, the three audience members were in complete agreement.

Mr. Clermont simply said, “Go ahead. It’s not about the price; it’s about really going out and seeing what’s going on.”

Ms. Boclair believes that Shen Yun presents “the other side” of China—a world of stories, colors, and magic—far removed from the often narrow images portrayed in the news.

Jean-François Ozanne sums up his experience at Shen Yun.

“It’s so magical … It’s already spectacular, thanks to the choreography, the atmosphere, and the way it’s presented.”

Reporting by Nathalie Dieul and translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.