DUBLIN—Singer-songwriter Sandra Larkin was delighted to catch Shen Yun’s first performance in Dublin since 2011, and was accompanied to the show at The Convention Centre Dublin on April 19th by her mother, Marion and her boyfriend, Alan Kelly.

“It was just amazing, the female dancers were just so delicate and graceful, it’s beautiful as well as amazing, really, really good,” said Ms. Larkin, who is accustomed to performing on stage with rock bands Aztaria and Syrys.

Ms. Larkin was especially impressed with the colourful nature of the costumes, which she described as “very striking”.

She said that she found the athleticism and graceful nature of the dancers especially impressive.

While Shen Yun Performing Arts is based in New York, most of the scenes and acts in the Shen Yun performance are based on traditional Chinese stories. Ms. Larkin said she greatly enjoyed this aspect of the show, and was impressed how the ancient legends were brought to life on stage.

According to the Company’s website, Shen Yun portrays China’s 5,000-year culture through story-based dance. “These dances give dramatic portrayal to the cherished stories of past and present. Their figures embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilization, and convey a message or moral that is still relevant in our day.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to use performing arts to revive the essence of Chinese culture—traditionally considered a divinely inspired civilization. Unfortunately, since the Chinese Communist Party is officially an atheist regime, it is afraid of the freedom of expression this arts company enjoys in the West.

Because of this, it is not possible for Shen Yun to tour in China at present. Commenting on this fact, Ms. Larkin said, “It’s a pity people in China can’t see the show; it’s a terrible shame.”

According to the Shen Yun website, “Over its past 60 years of rule, the communist regime has treated traditional Chinese values – centered on the idea of harmony between heaven and earth—as a threat to its existence.”

Ms. Larkin suggested that if people from China could “fly over to Ireland, Europe or America to see it [Shen Yun], it’s definitely worth seeing.”

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts. 

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.