SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Audience Member Transfixed by Heavenly Scenes in Shen Yun

Jan 29, 2025

STOKE-ON-TRENT, UK—Shen Yun Performing Arts entranced the audiences at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, on Jan. 29.

Pauline Smith, former Director of Action Fraud for UK Policing, felt chills while watching the performance.

“It’s absolutely amazing. Never seen anything like it. It’s giving me goosebumps to see certain dances—but it’s the learning about the culture, as well. So the two together is just nothing like I’ve seen before,” she said.

“I also love ... the way that it’s been all put together. It’s not just the dancing, it’s the whole story thing as well. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said.

New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and share the beauty of China before communism with the world.

The artists present the stories and history of China through classical Chinese dance. The ancient dance form uses the body’s movements to express emotions and convey a story, with tumbling techniques like flips and jumps that have made their way into other sports like gymnastics today.

Ms. Dixon said she very much enjoyed the dances of ancient China as presented on stage, and it left her at a loss for words.

“Just the stamina—It’s just indescribable. I don’t think I could describe it properly,” she said.

Shen Yun’s stories take the audience to faraway lands, and Ms. Dixon was entranced.

“I think it’s somewhere between heaven and earth. And it’s just got me transfixed,” she said.

Ms. Dixon said she knew very little about ancient China and appreciated the opportunity to see it from Shen Yun.

“I knew nothing about it until I came today,” said Ms. Dixon, “So it’s brought something to me. Certainly a learning opportunity. Knowing a bit about history is something of a passion for me. So, yeah, it’s been really good.”

The Chinese communist regime persecutes and suppresses people who practice Falun Gong even today, and that is also portrayed in Shen Yun dances. Some in the audience were not aware of what’s happening in China, and Ms. Dixon felt it was important.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that teaches the three principles of truth, compassion, tolerance, as well as five meditative exercises. Since 1999, the Chinese communist regime has sought to “eradicate” the practice through violent persecution, but it is still practiced in 100 countries around the world.

“It’s something that I’m not unfamiliar with working in policing, but, yes, I found that piece definitely different. But I think really important,” Ms. Dixon said.

Shen Yun’s orchestra accompanies the performances on stage with both Eastern and Western instruments.

“I love that sort of music anyway, and I think the orchestra is amazing,” she said.

Ms. Dixon had words of praise for the performers: “They’re fantastic. There’s no words that can describe what they’ve done, what they put together, and what I’ve seen today.”

To those who haven’t yet seen Shen Yun, Ms. Dixon said, “I would tell them to look for something different and also to look for something inspiring. And [Shen Yun] has done both. If you like music, culture, and amazing outstanding ballet and dance, then it’s for you.”

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.