WOKING, UK—Linda Parsons has wanted to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Victoria Theatre for a long time, and on January 25, her wish was fulfilled.
Ms. Parsons, a health and wellness coach, conveyed her overall impression of Shen Yun. “I loved it. I’ve wanted to see it before, and this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I loved it from the first minute the curtain went up,” she said.
The opening scene on stage is very stirring and presents the Creator coming to the world to save people. The program states how divine beings have gathered to accompany the Creator who arrives on earth in a golden chariot.
Ms. Parsons said how much she loves a variety of cultural events. “I’m very passionate about the arts— ballet, opera, everything. And [Shen Yun] had everything there,” she said.
She was amazed at the movements of the dancers, which is a reflection of their skills and training. “They’re amazing, the way they move their bodies. They are athletic and full of life and energy,” Ms. Parsons said. “I guess they trained very hard as well. The timing was perfect. It was marvelous.”
“I just thought [Shen Yun] delivered from the culture. It’s so lovely that traditional culture is still being kept alive, which is important,” Ms. Parsons said.
“I have also been doing a lot of self-development work, about consciousness, and the different energy states of consciousness.” Ms. Parsons said her personal work made it possible to feel the deeper meaning of the dance pieces.
“I’ve travelled a bit in Asia as well. I have been to China, too,” she said. “I think our history, whatever race you come from, is important, and it’s nice to honor it,” she said.
Part of what makes the stories come alive is the patented digital backdrop where dancers seemingly jump in and out of the fantasy world.
“I just think the backdrop, how you synced everybody going in and out, that was really quite an experience to watch,” she said.
“I connected a bit with what was being portrayed. The knowledge was there so many, many years ago, but it’s taken a long time for the world to see. I think the information is being portrayed now because technology has grown.”
She said the technology “has opened up tremendous opportunities. Now we have the internet; we also have connections worldwide at any instant. So, I think everything comes alive, really, and it’s nice to touch the past.”
Ms. Parson said she thinks Shen Yun appeals to most of European society as well as other cultures. “Europe is different than, say, Australia, New Zealand, or America. And you now have eight companies that are travelling the world, which is incredible.”
Ms. Parsons said it was great to “have the privilege to be able to see and be part of it for a few moments, or a couple of hours. It’s quite special.”
“All of the performances were sold out,” she said. “So that is tremendous feedback when that happens. And I didn’t realize that they were different stories each time, so I might have to come again.”
