LONDON—Nigel Fenner-Fownes was fortunate to obtain a ticket for Shen Yun’s closing performance at London’s Barbican Centre on March 9, as the show was completely sold out.
“Aren’t I lucky?” said Mr. Fenner-Fownes, who works in the financial services industry in London’s Mayfair.
According to their brochure New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts seek to revive 5,000 years of civilisation. They take the audience on a journey to explore the wisdom of ancient China. The world’s finest classical Chinese dancers, beautiful handmade costumes, and elaborate animated backdrops come together in a spectacular performance.
“I thought it was absolutely fascinating—I loved it. I loved the costumes, the colours, the routines—the variation actually was tremendous. And the scene settings … the colours and everything were wonderful, very, very nice.”
At Shen Yun’s core is classical Chinese dance, an independent system of dance developed and refined over thousands of years. It involves spectacular leaps, flips, and other aerial and tumbling techniques.
Mr. Fenner-Fownes, a former patron of the Royal Opera House, was impressed with the style of dance, and interested in how the movements and timing differed from Western ballet.
He was particularly taken with the elegance and grace of the female dancers in their exquisite flowing costumes.
“The beautiful ladies, they were gorgeous,” he said. “How could you not say that they weren’t? Gorgeous in terms of their interpretation, in terms of their movements, and everything to do with it. The costumes were stunning.”
He said he would recommend the show to others. “I‘d say ’Come and have a different evening, a very cultural one and very enjoyable'.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Simon Miller.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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