I recently saw a performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts and indeed I was blown away by each and every dance act it showcased. A visually beautiful performance that is backed by graceful dance movements, various dance forms, intriguing stories, and an excellent orchestra.
Based in New York, Shen Yun came into being in 2006 with a vision of cultural renewal—to revive the traditional culture of ancient China that was basically gutted after the current communist regime took power. Shen Yun’s mission is to bring about a renaissance of the essence of that culture and the universal values inherent in it, such as honour, loyalty, kindness, tolerance, filial piety (respect for parents), and reverence for the divine.
“Shen Yun” means “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Through dance, Shen Yun portrays myths, legends, and classic stories from China’s long and rich history. The main aim of the show was portraying Chinese classical dance in all its splendour.
With the use of different movements, jumps, spins and other acrobatics, Shen Yun was a delight to watch. Each dance act was better than the last and the audience kept waiting for more. It was also a great way to learn about the Chinese dance form and its revolution over the ages.
I especially enjoyed watching the colourful display on stage - dancers dressed in various bright outfits made the show not only attractive but in a way beautifully appealing. It was show that was well-coordinated with great attention to reserach and detail.
Beyond the dance, other elements of the show generated interest and got a great response. One among them was the animated backdrop that artistically made the dancers look as though they were coming out of the screen itself.
It helped in portraying the story in a relatable manner. The orchestra too gets credit for such a successful show. Dance is incomplete without music and the talented orchestra played music from a variety of instruments, including Chinese instruments such as the erhu and pipa.
A beautiful performance that takes Chinese dance to a new level. Shen Yun is performing tonight at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit shenyun.com
