AUCKLAND, New Zealand —Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company played for the last time on the New Zealand leg of its 2013 world tour, at Auckland’s Civic Theatre, on Feb. 9.
Duncan Gillies, a New Zealand Herald journalist, came with his family and a friend.
He praised the dancing and the music. “We all really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great night out, and very impressive.”
The classical Chinese dance and music performance portrays stories drawn from legends and history to achieve its mission of reviving China’s true, traditional culture. New York-based Shen Yun also includes in its repertoire contemporary stories.
According to Mrs. Gillies, both she and her daughter were particularly interested in the dance An Unexpected Encounter which describes a pair of tourists in China who meet Falun Dafa practitioners on Tiananmen Square.
“Our daughter had watched something on Falun Dafa before, so that was even more interesting to know a little bit of background” said Mrs. Gillies.
Daughter, Ms. Yasmina Gillies said the dance was really beautiful. She said she recently learned more about Falun Dafa, a peaceful practice that is based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.
“I was pleased to know what they were talking about and also really horrified at what’s going on,” she said.
Based in New York, Shen Yun was established in 2006 with the mission of reviving the almost lost 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Due to over 60 years of communist rule in China, the ancient Chinese culture was almost destroyed.
Mr. Gillies said he was familiar with China’s history. “But, overall, I just enjoy it. I just enjoy watching the dancing as well.”
Reporting by Shelley Shao and Diane Cordemans.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will be playing at Sydney, Australia’s Capitol Theatre, Feb. 11 to 12, and Canberra Theatre, Feb. 15 to 17. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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