(Clearwisdom.net) As the opening performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour in Australia graced the stage at the Canberra Theatre on Sunday March 29, Ms. Wells, an arts coordinator for the Federal Government, and her daughter, Leyla, joined the enthusiastic audience.

"I just think it's splendid," said Ms Wells, who confessed she was not expecting to see a show of such beauty and such breadth. "There's more richness there, and I think there's strength in that richness." Ms. Wells explained, "I knew there was a long tradition of Chinese dance, but I didn't know that it had so many different elements to it."

Ms. Wells, an arts coordinator for the Federal Government, and her daughter, Leyla

She noted that Western dances seem to be, "all flesh. But with traditional Chinese dance, people are dressed, and it's actually more effective. You can still feel the feet, you can still appreciate the finesse in the dance, and that surprised me. It was very refreshing. I really like it, because we can see the body, the muscles, the sinew, the fluidity, the flexibility, and all the subtlety in the hands, and yet they're fully clothed in these flowing silks. It was very refreshing!

"I didn't realize how diverse it [Chinese culture] was. I love the fact that they're drawing from different traditions, like the Yi dance from Southwestern China, the Tibetan dance, and the traditional focus on the heavens."

The young girl chimed in, "I like the one where the father was having a bad time. Along came these gangsters who tried to be really mean. And then he went up to heaven because he was really nice to other people, and then he became a really lovely star!" Leyla referred to the performance titled, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution."

Ms. Wells said she especially liked "The Poet's Vision," the story about Li Bai, China's most celebrated ancient poet. "It was lovely. I really liked the fact that they were drawing on what is an ancient poet, his poetry, and combining it with new stories as well.

"I loved the court, I loved all the jewels and the costumes for the people in the court, down to the people in the country areas, and it didn't just present you with a unilateral, homogeneous view of Chinese culture--it was heterogeneous. I thought, when you get presented with Chinese culture normally, it's very homogeneous, like 'this is Chinese culture,' but it's not like that. So that's why I loved it."

Ms. Wells added, "I think people would be surprised and amazed and stimulated--the breadth of it is just lovely."

Josje, a photographer, and Susan, who works in marketing, were among the spectators greatly impressed by Shen Yun.

Josje (R) with Susan (L)

Because Josje had studied a bit of Buddhism in her late teens, she was very interested to see that traditional Chinese culture has elements of Buddhism. She said, "We're all fairly familiar with the last 30 or 40 years of history in China, so it's wonderful to see the grassroots, where the people began, their culture, their dance. And, very interesting for me to discover, thinking about what we call classical ballet, I could see a lot of movements in Chinese dance that we've borrowed. We've borrowed the techniques in Western dance from Chinese culture. That became very obvious to me. So it was just spectacular.

"I really think it became a foundation for me for how I live my life I really enjoy ethnic dance, music, and culture, because it links me back to that."

Josje said, "I think it's wonderful that the culture's still alive. It obviously is a thread for Chinese people. I think it's wonderful to show the diversity of this culture because we're all a family around the world. One thing that gets to me is that it could be so important for children because it was so gentle but beautifully put in the stories. I think a lot of it was directed at the children and that's good to see. They're learning their culture, and that's how it should be. So it is passed down correctly.

"I think in all dance, all artistic work--you don't need to talk. Because you can see ... it has a language of its own. It speaks a language through movement and sound. It's wonderful, it's amazing. Fabulous!"

Susan also shared her feelings: "The show was wonderful, wonderful, spectacular. Yes, it's very vibrant and colorful, wonderful! The energy and commitment, very graceful, but powerful.

"I liked the drums. It was all so wonderful. Just everyone was terrific. I really liked the moving backdrop. That was very innovative." She thought the performance, "Very spiritual, uplifting."

Mr. Jarrett, the retail sales executive of a busy shopping mall, was pleased to once again enjoy a Shen Yun performance. "Very good, enjoyable," he said. "It was lovely to watch the dances with the backgrounds--lovely."

Having seen the show last year, Mr. Jarrett said he was able to gain a deeper understanding as each scene unfolded. "I think the show is very enlightening. It makes you aware that there are things happening outside your own country. Last year I came not knowing much about the show. This year I came understanding a little bit more of what the show is about."

He said that Shen Yun's portrayal of ancient legends and modern tales is broadening and effective. "True Divine Performing Arts brings it to you. It broadens your mind to the whole experience."

He mentioned about the hosts, "They really explain it well and introduce you to the story. It's very clear, so you have a good understanding by the end, and they do it in an energetic way that makes you feel a part of the show."

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/14449/
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