TORONTO–Having attended Saturday night’s performance of the Mid-Autumn Spectacular at the John Bassett Theatre, Anne Peters, a program administrator at the Royal Bank, said the show was a perfect fit for audiences in multicultural Toronto.
“The show is indicative of the whole Toronto scene, a mixture of cultures and the whole cosmopolitan-type approach to how we live out here. Whatever reinforces that we can see any type of culture that you want to and you can have the whole experience.”
Ms. Peters said she was impressed with how the high-tech artistry in the 3D digital backdrops, unique to the Spectacular, harmonized with the dancers on stage.
“What stood out for me was the use of the back props. That was something I had never seen before. I like the scenes and how they did it with the performers. I want to know how they did that.”
She also said she learned a lot about Chinese classical dance through the show, which she assumed was going to be the same as ballet.
Ms. Peters felt the Spectacular showed “real” Chinese culture, especially in the dance depicting the story of the Chinese hero of ancient times, Yue Fei.
“I like that warrior [dance], the Loyalty of Yue Fei. That was a throwback to the real Chinese culture.”
The dance shows how Yue Fei is caught between a desire to realize the duty of a soldier or stay home to take care of his elderly mother and fulfill his responsibility as a son.
“This is the real Chinese culture...it’s so different from modern Chinese culture that is so westernized.”
Ms. Peters said she “would recommend [the show] to people -- you get a historical background of the actual Chinese people.”
Retired nurse Rosemary Whitaker and her grandson, Will, who also attended Saturday’s Spectacular, found out about the show when they were handed a flyer on Spadina Avenue.
Will, who has modeled for Guess and Tommy Hilfiger, wanted to go to the show for his birthday. He said he enjoyed his first experience of traditional Chinese culture.
“The show was very enjoyable, very graceful, artistic and really creative. This is my first time to see a professional Chinese cultural show. The Power of Awareness was my favorite performance in the first part of the show. Good versus evil — and good triumphs over evil.”
Rosemary’s favorite was the drumming acts, Victory Drums and Drummers of the Tang Court.
“I appreciated the coordination,” she said.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China’s most ancient and cherished holidays. The Spectacular expresses Chinese classical dance and showcases authentic traditional Chinese culture. Through background scenery, costumes, and choreography, the Spectacular expresses truthfulness, compassion, and pure beauty. China’s history comes to life in this gorgeous performance that is entertaining, inspiring, and uplifting. The show’s content is presented in both Chinese and English. For more information, visit DivineShows.com/Toronto .
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