Shen Yun Reveals ‘A Gentler Side of China:’ Journalist
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Journalist Fred Pawle attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on May 5, 2023. NTD
SYDNEY, Australia—Australian journalist Fred Pawle said from the Lyric Theatre on Friday night that Shen Yun Performing Arts showcases another side of the Chinese story.
“The show reveals a gentler side of China that we are less aware of,” he said.
From ethnic dances from the snow-capped mountains of Tibet to bel canto singing about values that are universal across humankind, New York-based Shen Yun is on a mission to share with the world the rich culture of China’s 5,000-year history.
Mr. Pawle said Shen Yun communicated the diversity of Chinese culture in a beautiful production.
“I think the way they tell the story is really innovative,” he said, noting the “Mongolian Chopsticks” dance piece that showcased the Mongolian culture of hospitality and Shen Yun’s dramatic scenes from famous battle scenes, like the piece “Riding Alone to the Rescue,” which tells the story of the selfless rescue of Liu Bei’s son from behind enemy lines during China’s Three Kingdoms era.
“The ideas of truth and forbearance and indeed justice … there were little stories where the good guys won in the end,” Mr. Pawle said.
Shen Yun Is ‘Keeping Culture Alive’
Mother and daughter solicitor team Halina and Christine Hanna (R) attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on May 5, 2023. Julia Ye/The Epoch Times
Mother and daughter solicitor team Halina and Christine Hanna said Shen Yun was “absolutely magnificent.”
“It really was an eye-opener,” Halina said. “It gave us a whole new perspective as well, so it was really beautiful, so we’re very lucky to have this experience and very grateful to be able to see it.”
Christine said, “It’s nice that they’re keeping their cultural experience alive.”
Halina said she really liked the dance about drunk Monk Lu from the Chinese classic “Outlaws of the Marsh.”
“That was very funny, a really entertaining one.”
Christine enjoyed “Water Sleeves,” a dance from China’s imperial courts where the dancers express themselves with long, flowing sleeves that flow like water.
Christine added, “Even though the ancient dance and the ancient stories [are] the ones that everyone comes to watch and [are] so beautiful, a lot of the modern stories just remind you of the heartbreak that’s happening in China at the moment.”
She was referring to the stories of oppression of the Chinese people under the communist regime in modern China, like the extreme COVID-19 lockdowns and the persecution of the faith group Falun Gong, which teaches its adherents to live by the universal tenants of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
“The modern ones are reminding us or telling us this is what it’s like now in China. There’s a lot of hidden [issues], like people aren’t allowed to have their faith, their expression, their forced to conform, and they’re not happy to conform.”
Halina agreed. “Like you said the ancient stories that they’re keeping alive … that’s very important as well, so you can reflect on history.”
“It’s very important we don’t forget history so we don’t repeat it, of course, and that we continue to preserve history to keep it alive. But it was very interesting as well how they tied that in with today and what’s happening today, and you can really reflect upon it.”
Shen Yun Is ‘Very Family Orientated’
Emma Vulic (L) and Hayley Deguara attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on May 5, 2023. JuliaYe/The Epoch Times
Emma Vulic, a director of the construction company, and Hayley Deguara, a director of a truck company, said they absolutely loved Shen Yun.
“I loved the dancing, I loved how it is vibrant. I love the culture behind it and the music—the music is really amazing,” Ms. Vulic said. Shen Yun yours with its own live orchestra, which uniquely and harmoniously combines traditional Chinese instruments with a traditional Western orchestra.
Ms. Deguara said that she will bring her four-year-old daughter with her to see the performance next year, as she knows now it’s something her daughter can thoroughly enjoy.
“She‘d be able to watch it without having me explain to her what’s going on. She would watch it and enjoy it on her own,” Ms. Deguara said.’ It’s very family-orientated.”
Both said that Shen Yun should be “celebrated. 100 percent.”
“They’re doing an incredible job. Don’t stop spreading that because it’s so beautiful—it’s such beautiful art. It really is, and it should be shared with everyone,” Ms. Vulic said.
A ‘Way of Celebrating’
Also in the audience on Friday night was Ms. Julia Padginton, a software engineer and consultant who attended Shen Yun with her daughter Emma.
The pair said they thoroughly enjoyed Shen Yun.
“Everything about it is beautiful,” Julia said. “And it’s very, very interesting to watch the people dance and the culture … Culture brings people together—a way of celebrating.”
She added she would definitely recommend Shen Yun.
“It’s an experience. It’s beautiful. But it’s also humbling,” she said.
Her daughter Emma added, “And education. It’s lyrical theatre—beautiful.”
Reporting by Julia Ye, Michelle Li, NTD, and Melanie Sun.
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