(Clearwisdom.net) Peter, a senior editor with a major newspaper, enjoyed Saturday's matinee performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Parade Theatre, on April 25.

Peter says that he is a student of Chinese culture. He practices martial arts. He thought the show was "a very good representation of traditional Chinese performing arts, which is sadly somewhat lost in the present-day China. I think the regime seems to be obsessed with commercial and economic gain at the expense of more traditional virtues."

Peter had seen Shen Yun perform before, and he felt it was "a good vehicle for expressing Chinese culture."

Animation Supervisor: "Wonderful!"

Mr. Ezard, an animator for both film and television, attended the show with his family. He was the animation supervisor for the Australian animated film, Happy Feet, and explained, "Visually it's very beautiful, the colour, the costume, and designing. I'm very interested in the projection, and I like the animation of the movement that's projected. I think it's used very well. I thought that was so good."

Mr. Ezard, an animator for both film and television, attended the show with his family.

"I am a creative person. I draw and paint, and I am very involved in the process of getting shows and films together and how the creative process works. I know how much hard work goes into a show like this. So I am very appreciative of all the performers' efforts. It's a wonderful show. I enjoyed it very much--the spectacle, the dancing, and the culture--very enjoyable."

"I could see the traditional dancing, and I could see the traditional moves and inspiration behind the stories. That was very inspiring--it gave me a good feeling."

Mr. Ezard said, "I got all the stories, and I really like the stories that had a narrative. I like the Falun Dafa story, and I like the story about the Monkey King. I was able to follow those very well. ... I liked the [one about the] little girl who lost her father. That was very moving, very dramatic. Well done, very well done!"

"The human spirit, a very important message, can be delivered through dance and movement. The wonderful spirit of people can shine through and give us hope and joy. That's a good thing."

Mr. Ezard's wife, Francis, is a former professional singer who is currently taking a break from teaching singing. She enjoyed the performances and enjoyed hearing the tenor, Yuan Qu, who sang "Finding Myself." She said, "[He] does not need to use the microphone. His voice is big enough for the theatre."

Mr. Ezard added, "We were not very close, but that was good as we could see the whole spectacle. I thought the use of the stage was terrific. I love the choreography. I thought the choreography was really excellent."

Company Director: "Very Spectacular"

Mr. Creswell, a scientist, biologist, and company director, said about the show, "Very spectacular, very visually splendid really. Every moment was full of very exciting images. I think all the stories were distinctive ... [and] were very interesting. Trying to understand the historical aspects and how it relates to what people are experiencing in China today [is] very interesting."

He added, "I'm not sure it was from any one thing on stage. It was everyone's reactions from everything--the sorrowful moment, the exciting moments, and the contemplating moments."

Shen Yun's Portrayal Of China's Classical Culture "Uplifting and Surprising"

For Sydney attorney, Ms. Henwood, experiencing the depth and beauty of classical Chinese culture for the first time was a revelation. "It's quite surprising, because we don't get to see that side of Chinese culture. I wasn't really aware that it existed. It's really nice to be able to see that. The colours, the costumes--it's really very beautiful. There's so many different facets to it. The costume design, the music, the story--the journey that it takes us on."

She said, "It's very uplifting. It's all about the world changing for the better, and people being kind and looking forward to a positive future."

One such dance, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," exposes the persecution in modern-day China of the spiritual practice, Falun Gong. "I think it's overcoming oppression and difficult times in the world today [while] focusing on being good, and good overcoming evil. All of those very nice things," she said.

"It is a shame that the people of China are not seeing this show!"

Also in the audience were Sydney lawyer Mrs. Keats and her husband, a car dealer. "It has just been absolutely beautiful, absolutely enthralling, so talented--just absolute beauty to watch. We have been commenting on the tumbles and the turns and how clever they are ... just astoundingly talented," Mrs. Keats said.

Referring to the program "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," Mr. Keats said, "It is a real shame that there is no freedom of speech that we have in the West."

Mrs. Keats said, "Particularly the young people. It would be nice for them to learn about their culture that has been lost on the way. All the different regions [in China] have been brought together in the show. It is unique, so it is a shame that people in China are not seeing the show. We feel very privileged. Yes, it is lovely. It's a real insight into Chinese culture, one that we might not [have] been exposed to and 'a must see' in that regard."

Passionate and Beautiful

Brian and Jenny, former financial planners who are now both retired, saw the show on Saturday, April 25. They were entranced by the music, describing it as "very passionate," and also thought that the backdrops and costumes worn by the enchanting dancers were "beautiful."

Brian and Jenny, former financial planners who are now both retired

Brian and Jenny knew about the persecution of Falun Gong in China by the communist regime. Through the program "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," "It was interesting to understand some of the belief system and also the persecution from the government," said this Sydney couple.

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