CANBERRA, Australia—After a sold-out performance at the Canberra Theatre, Christian church ministers Chris Clarke and Prudence Clarke shared their impressions of their first time seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts.

“I see a China that is just inviting and welcoming and full of life and diversity and just celebrating in kindness and compassion,” Mr. Clarke said.

“I think [Shen Yun] shines a lot on the darker side of what’s been happening in China with communism and communism around the world. And it’s a display of—despite persecution—that beauty and life can thrive,” said Mr. Clarke.

“I think it’s a beautiful representation of [the Chinese peoples’] culture and their traditions and their history. And it’s a shame that those things have been squashed over the years. But it’s beautiful to see it revived and see it on display for the world to see.”

The words “Shen Yun” translates to “the beauty of divine beings dancing.”

“[Shen Yun] gave me a greater love for the people of China and the nation of China. It’s something that’s always fascinated us. And to see this show and to be there and to feel the emotion and the passion behind it has just reinvigorated my love and my interest for the country and the people,” he added.

She felt “happy, blessed, and excited,” after leaving the theatre, and said her major takeaway from Shen Yun is that “there is hope.”

Mrs. Widdup said Shen Yun was “quite calming in a lot of ways” and “very spiritual.”

“I found it very calming,” she said. “I just felt very relaxed, very comfortable.”

Shen Yun’s eight companies are touring simultaneously in 20 countries, covering almost 200 cities altogether this year.

“You could see the audience reaction, it was a packed theatre here in Canberra and the audience were really appreciative,” said Mr. Widdup. “It was a very full show.”

Mrs. Widdup said that instead of describing the show to her friends, “they need to go and see it.”

“You can say it’s wonderful, but until you see it, you don’t really know just how amazing it is.”