QUEBEC CITY—Who would expect to see the humour in a classical Chinese dance? Yet this is what happens with Shen Yun Performing Arts, especially when the company presents tales and legends, thanks to the creativity of talented choreographers.
On Tuesday, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, the dance company gave a performance for the first time. While it has returned to Montreal every year since its inception seven years ago, it has never come to Quebec’s capital.
It is a great pleasure to see for Jean Boudreault, owner of a construction company, and Marie-Ève Gonthier, a school teacher.
Mr. Boudreault describes the show as, “very colourful. It represents the old China. It’s really interesting.”
Ms. Boudreault said she appreciated the costumes and “the interesting and dynamic choreography.”
Both had a heart for the dance When Shaolin Monks Protected the Emperor, each for different reasons.
Shaolin monks are well known for their mastery of martial arts. Through their martial arts, these Buddhist monks saved the life of the future emperor of the great Tang Dynasty, considered one of the greatest emperors China has known.
When Shaolin Monks Protected the Emperor tells a humorous rabbit-hunting story that led to this unusual encounter, as well as how the monks were rewarded by the Emperor Tang Taizong, who lifted the ban on eating meat at the Shaolin Temple.
Mr. Boudreault laughed as he recalled the scene: “I like hunting a little, so I liked the scene with the rabbit. It was just funny to see a little bit of the context!”
As for the French teacher, she especially appreciated the spiritual side of this particular number, and the show in general, she is thinking of recommending it to colleagues who teach ethics and religious culture.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. After playing five shows in Montreal Jan. 3-6, Shen Yun’s New York Company will play one show in Quebec City on Jan. 8 before going on to Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, and Toronto in its tour of eastern Canada.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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