(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts company concluded the Australian leg of its 2013 season by staging three sold-out performances at Australia's Canberra Theatre, on February 15-17, 2013. Canberra, a bustling metropolis of more than 360,000 people, is the center of all things political in Australia.

Designer: Shen Yun “Absolutely Magical”

Gretel Harrison enjoys Shen Yun Performing Arts in Canberra. (Photo courtesy of NTD Television)

Among the many delighted guests of the Shen Yun show was Gretel Harrison, a F!NK & Co. director with over 17 years marketing experience in commercial and government sectors.

“It was magical, absolutely magical; the children were totally, absolutely mesmerized. The synchronicity was phenomenal, the costumes were amazing, the headpieces were phenomenal, and the energy—the amount of energy was beautiful, very beautiful, it was heavenly!” enthused Ms. Harrison.

She continued. “I think dance is an international language, and I think the way everybody moved together, it was a strong story, a story was told, and the color, and the movement, and the costumes, just made it so much more fulfilling, and the coordination of everyone together was truly spectacular. It was very beautiful.”

Classical Chinese dance has a long history of thousands of years, passed down within the imperial palace, alongside ancient Chinese theater and opera.

The elegance of the dancers captivated Ms. Harrison's attention. “The way they moved so elegantly together, and the telling of the stories for me was the most touching,” she said.

When asked if she would recommend the show to others, she replied, “I would say that it’s an experience not to be missed!

“It’s a very rich and fulfilling experience … I’m glad that I could share that with my children, because I think it’s very important for them to see how other cultures dance, and how they express themselves, and how they show their culture that way.”

Ms. Harrison was thankful for the Shen Yun artists' “amazing dedication” to Chinese culture and art.

Her daughter also enjoyed the many dance pieces presented by Shen Yun.

“They were … really graceful and beautiful, and the costumes were amazing and they did so much stuff. I thought it was just mesmerizing,” she said. “And I liked how they worked so hard and they just kept on going and they were so into it.”

“It was amazing, they didn’t stop, and the costumes … all of the colors were really nice and bright.”

Professor: “Very, Very Impressed”

American Janie Huffman attends Shen Yun performing Arts in Canberra on Feb. 17. (Photo courtesy of NTD Television)

Also attending the final sellout performance was Janie Huffman, an American professor of education and lead faculty developer at the University of Canberra.

“I was very, very impressed. I really enjoyed the grace and the dignity and the precise motions of all of the dancers. I thought the vocals were excellent, but I thought the dancing and the ability of all of the dancers to work together was very, very exciting to see,” Ms. Huffman explained.

“I felt the honor, the compassion, the understanding. The characters seem to be involved with understanding each other and understanding what the culture meant. As an American, I feel that those values of kindness, concern, compassion, strength, I think that is certainly valued,” she said.

Originally from Dallas, Ms. Huffman recommended that her family in the United States see the show when it next travels through their city. She also conveyed her gratitude to the performers.

“My thanks and appreciation for all the hard work that has taken place, and continue to do the excellent, beautiful job that you do.”

Native Chinese: Shen Yun Is “Authentic Chinese Culture”

Shen Yun Perfoming Arts Touring Company's curtain call in Canberra. (Photo courtesy of NTD Television)

Mrs. Li, who is visiting Australia from southern China, had previously heard of Shen Yun's excellent reputation. So, when she heard that the dance group was going to perform in Australia’s capital, she embarked on a seven-hour car trip, just to see the show.

Mrs. Li, from southern China, traveled from Melbourne to Australia’s capital, a seven-hour trip by car, to see the Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second show at Canberra Theatre. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Li, an office manager, said, “As soon as the curtains rose, I saw the deities coming to earth, and the Buddha declaring that he had come to save us; my tears just flowed down.”

Mrs. Li said that she had never seen such a performance in China.

“Combining China’s historical stories and myths onto one stage, and the performance, costumes, and techniques of the dance performers are all world-class,” she said.

“Shen Yun made me feel very proud. Sitting around me and in front of me were all Westerners. I sat in the fourth row; therefore, I could very clearly see the Shen Yun Orchestra. I looked very carefully and saw the orchestra even had a few Westerners! The technique of the orchestra was very high!”

Mrs. Li continued, “I realized the whole world loves traditional Chinese culture, from their hearts. They love Shen Yun Performing Arts’ performance, just like me!”

She added, “This is the authentic, artistic performance of the Chinese culture; it is extraordinary!”

Mrs. Li said that she finds herself powerless to change the growing selfishness in Chinese society, and once turned to Buddhism and Christianity in search for answers. After seeing Shen Yun, she expressed her wish to learn more about the meditation practice of Falun Dafa, which is based on the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance.

Mrs. Li said that currently there are a lot of negative messages in society, and it seems like the world is becoming increasingly chaotic. However, after seeing Shen Yun, she feels there is hope for humanity.

Mrs. Li concluded, “I hope to see the Shen Yun Performing Arts’ show once more, and I also hope Shen Yun will be able to perform in mainland China.”

Dancers: Shen Yun's Music is Excellent

Samantha (L) and Josephine Bartfield (R) attend Shen Yun Performing Arts in Canberra. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Also enjoying the show was Samantha Barfield, a geologist who has an appreciation for all forms of music. She was accompanied by her aunt Josephine, who works in the public service sector.

Ms. Barfield has been taking classical voice lessons for some time and has started learning the piano.

“I think the orchestra played extremely well to complement the dancers,” she said. “I think that’s an excellent touch to the performance this evening.”

Ms. Bartfield thought the two sopranos, Min Jiang singing “Heavenly Secret” and Guezel Guijiali Zakir singing “Returning to Heaven is the Other Shore,” were “both spectacular,” adding, “They are excellent singers … I think they both resonate extremely well, beautiful projection.” She also said that the accompanying pianist was “excellent.”

She described the brilliantly colored costumes as “excellent,” and said that they were “beautifully colored.”

Josephine was particularly impressed by the costumes and the way the dancers used them as an extension of their dancing.

“I loved the way the costumes moved, I found it very hypnotizing, very relaxing,” Josephine said.

“I am finding it very intriguing, because the movement is actually making me relax. I’m finding there is a serenity in the movement … there is very much an energy.”

“It Blew Me Away!”

Mary Matthew (L) and her daughter enjoy Shen Yun Performing Arts in Canberra. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Professional gardener, Mary Matthews, who was also in the audeince, drove three hours to see the show. Her daughter bought her Shen Yun ticket as a Christmas present.

“Absolutely amazing, it blew me away,” exclaimed Ms. Matthews. “The first scene, you know the color and the effects, were just amazing and I am really thrilled to be here.”

Ms. Matthews fell in love with Shen Yun's digital backdrops, which bring breathtaking scenes and heavenly realms to life onstage.

“Amazing, I’m trying to work out how they do that flying away bit, that’s pretty amazing,” Ms. Mathews said.

She thought the music was “beautiful,” adding “it is wonderful to have a live orchestra!”

Sources:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/shen-yun-absolutely-magical-says-designer-348623.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/australias-capital-farewells-shen-yun-for-2013-348953.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/shen-yun-is-authentic-artistic-performance-of-chinese-culture-says-chinese-lady-348798.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/shen-yun-excellent-music-complements-dancers-349409.html