SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Audience Member Hopes People Will Learn What China’s Traditional Culture Was Like

Feb 12, 2025

BOURNEMOUTH, UK—Keith Johnson, a retired quality consultant for Ford, was very eager to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Feb. 12.

“Basically, we came here today to see what the show is all about. I’ve always had an interest in China; I was offered a job there at one point. I do think that the show itself is trying to project obviously what China was like and historically,” he said.

He saw many aspects of the production that pleased him. “The show is extremely graphical and extremely colorful obviously. The special effects are amazing. There’s a bit of humor involved, but it is a serious side of China.

“I think a lot of people will come away from here today hopefully learning a bit more what China was like,” Mr. Johnson said.

He was effusive about the skill of Shen Yun’s dancers. “The skill of the dancers is incredible obviously—their movement, the flexibility. My wife used to be a dancer and she’s paid the price. She’s paid the price with her knees. You cannot imagine what those performers are going through to achieve what they do,” he said.

“I think there was one dance, in particular. I think it was a traditional dance and the coordination with all the feet there; all the dancers there were spot on—their movements, their arm movements, all in time with one another.

“They were so well trained and their dedication shows in how they perform. Basically, they’re very proud of what they do. As I say, it’s from somebody in the audience that it’s a pleasure to watch. It really was.”

Many who watch Shen Yun dancers perform noted their genuine smiles and the joy in the movements. “They have, they have. As I say, they’re enjoying what they do. They love what they’re doing and it shows. It shows in how they perform if they’re enjoying it. If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, it’s going to show,” Mr. Johnson said.

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the arts and culture of traditional China before communism. Mr. Johnson liked what he saw. “I hope people [who] come away today will learn a bit more about what China was like.

“But I think a lot of people will come away from here today just in pleasure of watching it, but maybe not understand fully what it’s all about. The guys that introduce each element of it, telling you a bit about it, is to say it makes a bit of a difference,” he said, noting the introduction Shen Yun hosts provide before the dances.

“The actual show itself, it always got fantastic write-ups. The general public are really interested. And as I say, and apart from the fact they love watching it because it really is a pleasure to watch.”

Reporting by NTD and Yvonne Marcotte.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.