Theatergoers in Auckland, New Zealand, said they were captivated by a performance by classical Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts. They spoke to NTD at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre at the Aotea Centre after the Feb. 21 performance.
Calista Ferreira, an executive assistant, said “what totally blew me away is when that curtain came up,” referring to the beautiful scene that appeared on the stage with the heavenly clouds and lilies.
“It was so enchanting for me. I’ve studied Chinese culture and Chinese language, and so it was really great to see that on stage,” Namphon Bennett, owner of the Miss Earth New Zealand pageant, said.
Ms. Bennett said she felt “the power of the messages behind a lot of the performances.”
Shen Yun draws inspiration from China’s 5,000 years of civilization, as well as the virtues ancient Chinese people long embraced and passed down. Those include values like loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness, which all play out in Shen Yun’s performances.
Lili-Anne Smiler, marketing director at Kershaw Training, said, “What I realized when watching the show is it was so much more than that—it was education, it was a reminder of everybody’s divinity, it was spiritual, it was enlightening, it was humorous, the artistry was stunning, it was beautiful.”
“For me, it resonates a lot because, similar to our culture, we believe the same—that we were once divine,” Ms. Bennett said of her Thai heritage. “It’s like seeing the beginning of where I’ve come from.”
“And this is where art comes into it, isn’t it? It’s like exploring the human condition and looking beyond just this human world,” said Karen McMillan, an author.
Theatergoers also expressed their appreciation for the musicians of Shen Yun, particularly the Erhu, a two stringed violin, and the live orchestra, which blends both Eastern and Western instruments.
“I was taking a good look and listening to the music side of things because I’m an artist musician; stunning,” said Maisey Rika, an artist, musician, and proud Maui. “It’s definitely filling a beautiful gap in today’s day and age. The colors, I think about everybody coming together, kotahitanga, coming together, unity. And the dance and music and culture is really beautiful to see.”
Kay Gregan, a consultant at the Travel Brokers, said, “I sense within all the troop of dancers, with everyone combined with this, is their self-awareness, and living their lives outside the oppression of communist China. I think it is absolutely beautiful. Keep doing so well what you are doing, and thank you for this opportunity.”
“It’s a beautiful marriage of the traditional and the modern, and the freedom of expression, and just being able to perform that on stage,” Ms. Bennett said.
NTD News, Auckland, New Zealand
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.
From NTD News
