LONDON—The spiritual theme of Shen Yun Performing Arts deeply touched Michael Spears, who watched the performance at The London Coliseum on Friday evening, April 8.
Mr. Spears, a software sales recruitment manager, said he learnt a lot about Chinese culture and spirituality through watching Shen Yun.
“It’s very spiritual,“ he said about the show, which brings to life China’s divinely-inspired and ancient culture. ”People in the UK don’t always realise this, the depth of the spiritual side of the culture you have, which is very good,” he said.
The New York-based company uses the expressive art form of classical Chinese dance to retell “legends of the culture’s creation over 5,000 years ago through to the story of Falun Dafa in China today; from the highest heavens down to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom,” according to the company’s website.
Mr. Spears could see the universal spiritual message that weaves throughout the performance. “It doesn’t matter what religion you are in ... the stories are usually the same,” he said, adding that he gained a deeper understanding of the connection between Heaven and Earth after seeing the show.
“I very much feel the same with your [spirituality], so it’s very, very lovely. It’s beautiful to feel the same, I feel it very much, I feel emotional!” he said.
He found the atmosphere in the theatre very welcoming. “It’s like a big envelope that’s just making you feel happy inside, and to see and feel that we’re all the same ... we’re all coming from the one area. It’s beautiful, it’s lovely to feel this,” he said.
Mr. Spears attended the show with Susan Hanrahan, a maths teacher, who also thoroughly enjoyed the show.
“The colours are beautiful and a great variety of items,“ said Ms. Hanrahan. ”It’s lovely, it’s charming, quite charming.”
Ms. Hanrahan has visited China, but was unaware of the persecution of the spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa in China today, portrayed in the piece Our Story. In the dance a teacher is arrested and beaten for writing on the blackboard the words “Truthfulness”, “Compassion” and “Tolerance”—essential virtues in classical Chinese culture and the core principles of Falun Dafa.
“I thought it was interesting the item about the teacher, because this is so different. Everything else is fun and light but that had quite a serious message,” she said.
“I think [it’s] a surprise to know that that sort of thing can be going on, particularly me as a teacher. ... I have great freedom here and I can’t imagine that happening.”
She said that she would recommend Shen Yun to her friends. “It’s very relaxing, very enjoyable, and I’m having a lovely time,” she said.
Reporting by Jingwen Wang and Kat Piper.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company continues its 2011 World Tour to The Hague, April 12 and 14 and then to Switzerland on April 16. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts
Mr. Spears, a software sales recruitment manager, said he learnt a lot about Chinese culture and spirituality through watching Shen Yun.
“It’s very spiritual,“ he said about the show, which brings to life China’s divinely-inspired and ancient culture. ”People in the UK don’t always realise this, the depth of the spiritual side of the culture you have, which is very good,” he said.
The New York-based company uses the expressive art form of classical Chinese dance to retell “legends of the culture’s creation over 5,000 years ago through to the story of Falun Dafa in China today; from the highest heavens down to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom,” according to the company’s website.
Mr. Spears could see the universal spiritual message that weaves throughout the performance. “It doesn’t matter what religion you are in ... the stories are usually the same,” he said, adding that he gained a deeper understanding of the connection between Heaven and Earth after seeing the show.
“I very much feel the same with your [spirituality], so it’s very, very lovely. It’s beautiful to feel the same, I feel it very much, I feel emotional!” he said.
He found the atmosphere in the theatre very welcoming. “It’s like a big envelope that’s just making you feel happy inside, and to see and feel that we’re all the same ... we’re all coming from the one area. It’s beautiful, it’s lovely to feel this,” he said.
Mr. Spears attended the show with Susan Hanrahan, a maths teacher, who also thoroughly enjoyed the show.
“The colours are beautiful and a great variety of items,“ said Ms. Hanrahan. ”It’s lovely, it’s charming, quite charming.”
Ms. Hanrahan has visited China, but was unaware of the persecution of the spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa in China today, portrayed in the piece Our Story. In the dance a teacher is arrested and beaten for writing on the blackboard the words “Truthfulness”, “Compassion” and “Tolerance”—essential virtues in classical Chinese culture and the core principles of Falun Dafa.
“I thought it was interesting the item about the teacher, because this is so different. Everything else is fun and light but that had quite a serious message,” she said.
“I think [it’s] a surprise to know that that sort of thing can be going on, particularly me as a teacher. ... I have great freedom here and I can’t imagine that happening.”
She said that she would recommend Shen Yun to her friends. “It’s very relaxing, very enjoyable, and I’m having a lovely time,” she said.
Reporting by Jingwen Wang and Kat Piper.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company continues its 2011 World Tour to The Hague, April 12 and 14 and then to Switzerland on April 16. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts
