SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Llandudno Audience Struck by Beauty of Shen Yun

SHARE
Llandudno Audience Struck by Beauty of Shen Yun
Nonna Drinnan with her daughter Kyra Cullinan at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Venue Cymru, in the U.K., on Jan. 7, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times
LLANDUDNO, U.K.—Some who see Shen Yun Performing Arts are immediately struck by the beauty of classical Chinese dance—and how similar or different it is from ballet.

“We’re really enjoying it. It’s different from anything we’ve seen before. We’re used to seeing classical ballet, but this is ... lovely as well to see,” said Kyra Cullinan, a doctor.

Dr. Cullinan came to the performance with her mother, Nonna Drinnan, who is retired.

They found that one of the stark differences between ballet and classical Chinese dance was the footwork.

“We were just commenting on the difference between classical ballet and this. Particularly, we were talking about the walking. The way they walk is very different,” said Dr. Cullinan.

Classical Chinese dance uses quick, small steps called “yuan chang”, which gives the illusion of the dancer floating across the stage. These steps contrast greatly with the ballerina’s pointe technique.

“They’re very technically competent and so elegant. It’s wonderful to watch,” said Ms. Drinnan.

Shen Yun’s dancers rehearse every detail before the start of the new season to give the audience the best experience.

“They’re so coordinated. I don’t know how. It must take hours and hours of practice,” commented Ms. Drinnan.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive 5,00o years of Chinese culture. Although Shen Yun is sharing the beauty of Chinese culture with the world, Shen Yun is not able to perform in China.

“Quite honestly, we had no idea that it will not be allowed in China now,” said Ms. Drinnan.

Shen Yun uses its art to raise awareness of the crimes that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committing. This includes the persecution of Falun Gong, a peaceful practice that greatly benefits the health of the mind and body.
Dr. Cullinan shared that the dance depicting the persecution of Falun Gong “felt very tragic.”

She also shared her appreciation for Shen Yun’s efforts to allow more people to understand what is happening and what China is like without communism.

“It’s great that they’re coming, that they’re touring around as well and coming to places like this where we wouldn’t necessarily see and hear about the culture,” she said.

Shen Yun has scheduled two performances tomorrow at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru.
Reporting by Mary Mann and Maria Han.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
Related Topics
shen yun
SHARE