SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Leaves London Audience in Awe: ‘Absolutely Beautiful’

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Shen Yun Leaves London Audience in Awe: ‘Absolutely Beautiful’
Anton and Lauren van Heerden attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at London’s Eventim Apollo on Feb. 1, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times

LONDON, U.K.—Shen Yun Performing Arts gave a stirring performance at London’s Eventim Apollo on Feb. 1.

Anton and Lauren van Heerden enjoyed the performance, with Mrs. Van Heerden saying: “Oh, it’s lovely. The dancing is very spectacular, visually appealing.”

The van Heerdens heard about Shen Yun’s performance online and through many adverts. “So we just had to come and see for ourselves,” said Mrs. Van Heerden.

Mr. van Heerden, CFO of General Oceans, University of Liverpool, said he liked “the cowboys,” especially how the dance worked with the animated backdrop.

“Spectacular. It fits in seamlessly, especially when they jump off the stage from the back and fly away. The timing is perfect.”

Chinese culture is inspired by the heavens, and the beginning sequence presents the Creator coming to save humanity.

“For me, I’m Christian, so it resonates with my (faith),” Mrs. Van Heerden said. “It has a good feeling. It’s got a positive feeling.”

Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun is sharing the beauty of China’s authentic 5,000 years of history with the world. Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades for its mission to revive traditional Chinese culture.

Mr. van Heerden liked the stories about faith and morals that worked seamlessly with the dances. “It’s great,” he said. “I like the theme. [They are] very good stories.”

Mrs. Van Heerden had high praise for the performers.
“Well done. Congratulations. You’re amazing.” Mr. van Heerden concurred. “Super amazing.”

‘It’s Just Perfect’

Nadine King (R) and her friend Stephen Geaney attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at London’s Eventim Apollo on Feb. 1, 2024. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times)
Nadine King (R) and her friend Stephen Geaney attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at London’s Eventim Apollo on Feb. 1, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times
Nadine King, who owns a catering business, attended Shen Yun with her friend Stephen Geaney.

“It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” said Ms. King.

“I’ve watched it on the television and keep seeing it advertised. And I’ve wanted to come for a long time. Then, finally, we’ve got here tonight.”

She was amazed at the dancers’ perfection.

“It’s so precise. I do not know how they can practice that much to have everything so perfect. You never see that,” she said. “There’s always someone that’s a little bit out [in other shows]. But [Shen Yun] is not. It’s just perfect. It’s wonderful.”

The story of the Monkey King resonated with Ms. King, as did other dances.

“I’m just piecing it all together in my head while you listen to the story. Obviously, you see it on television; they give you a snippet. And, oh, it’s China before communism, and I’ve been to China. And it’s just wonderful to see exactly.

“And all I’m thinking about is the people, how it should be and how they should be living, and how beautiful it was. How life should be so much more serene. It shouldn’t be so stressed as it is these days. And I love it. I’m loving watching the freedom of life,” she said.

Ms. King appreciated that Shen Yun is reviving traditional Chinese culture.

“Fantastic. I’m loving it ... I want to find out more.”

With shows scheduled in over 200 cities and across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet.

She said they wanted to come back and see Shen Yun again.

To the performers, Ms. King said. “What a wonderful job they’re doing. Lovely. Fantastic.”

Mr. Geaney added: “Really, very good. Recommend anyone to come and see it.”

 ‘Very Well Drilled’

Nicholas Peters (L) and his father, Roger Peters, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at London’s Eventim Apollo on Feb. 1, 2024. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times)
Nicholas Peters (L) and his father, Roger Peters, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at London’s Eventim Apollo on Feb. 1, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times

Nicholas Peters, an art director, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts with his father, Roger Peters, an attorney.

“Absolutely loving it,” Nicholas said.

Both father and son liked the Mongolian cowboys. “Very well drilled,” Roger said. Nicholas expanded: “Very well drilled, amazing athleticism, beautiful.”

As an art director, Nicholas was pleased with the artistic direction of the performance.

“Amazingly vibrant, beautiful. Love the costumes. I think the color is the thing that’s really been driven into me. It looks amazing. I shall be taking it into the work that I do tomorrow.”

He also liked the animated backdrop as it worked with the dances. “The animation is great ... [The way] the features in the background are brought to life for the actors coming onto the stage works really well.”

Roger agreed about the backdrops, calling them incredible

“I think that it was spectacular,” he said, adding he is learning all the time about restoring traditional culture “bit by bit.”

The colors stayed in Nicholas’s thoughts. “I think of the spectrum of color. I didn’t realize that the color would be quite as vibrant as that. So that’s the thing that I'll take with me. Brilliant.”

Reporting by Mary Mann and Yvonne Marcotte.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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