“I think it’s a wonderful thing to reflect upon history … to bring it back, to share it, to celebrate it, but also to ask about our present and our future … it’s very valuable,” he added.

According to the company’s website, the colours and costumes of Shen Yun are true to traditional aesthetics and styles, painting each dance piece with the splendour of the past.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with folk dances and solo performances, the production depicts story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day.

Mr. James was especially impressed with the company’s patented method of integrating a 3D animated backdrop with the stage performance, allowing the performers to remarkably travel back and forth between the stage and the background projection.

“I have not seen before the dynamic in which you have a performer who disappears into the screen and then the technology takes over,” he said, “[T]hat coming together of people and technology is really something very special.”

Since 2006, Shen Yun has performed at top theatres worldwide with a mission to revive China’s 5,000-year-old traditional culture. Demonstrating “China before communism,” Shen Yun is not allowed to perform in China.

“People should be free to perform all around the world … to share these gifts, these arts, this history,” said Mr. James, “this culture is immensely valuable … around the world.”

“I think it’s a very powerful message and I think art, culture, dance performance can be food for the soul, and I think we are seeing some of that tonight,” he added.