TOURS, France—As part of its world tour, Shen Yun Performing Arts is touring twelve cities in France until May 11. The New York-based classical Chinese dance company was in Touraine at the Palais des Congrès in Tours from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12, bringing 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to life through art.
The former owner of an emblematic costume store—who sold and rented out over 3,000 costumes in an 800-square-meter space in Saint-Pierre-des Corps for 25 years—found the dancers’ costumes “magnificent.”
“And they know how to handle them,” added his partner, Marie-Laure Robin. “It’s very pretty, I love their little steps; it’s very harmonious.”
For Mr. Maingot, it was the “perfect synchronization” of the dancers and musicians that astonished him.
“It’s true that they’re all perfect, well aligned, the body language and all that is respected to the half-second,” he remarks. He found the orchestra accompanying the dancers throughout the performance “brilliant” and “so beautiful”.
He even wondered if the action on the screen was remotely controlled by someone. “They have to have the timing down to the second,” Mr. Maingot said. As someone who began his career with a puppet show with his wife and three other people, before doing sets for Star Academy and Loft Story, he appreciated the creative stagecraft.
“I think it’s beautifully staged,” Ms. Robin said.
“The story is beautiful,” she added. “It’s easier to understand stories when they’re explained and, of course, on screen, so it’s really in harmony.”
The couple said they had been due to see Shen Yun a year ago, but were unable to attend the performance: on that day, Marie-Laure Robin was undergoing surgery for breast cancer. She is now fully recovered, and the two of them were able to enjoy the show to the full a year later to the day.
“Our children offered us the tickets again,” Mr. Maingot was delighted to share.
Ms. Robin is aware that Shen Yun Performing Arts cannot perform in China. “This kind of show cannot be done in China,” she said. “It brings a beautiful message.”
Ms Robin said, “People who have good missions like this bring a lot to the table.“
“It’s good that they do,” added Mr. Maingot, for whom it’s important to remember the past, especially for new generations.
“Bravo! Congratulations!” cheered Mrs. Robin.
Also in attendance at the Palais des Congrès on the evening of Feb. 12 were Jean-Pierre Arnoux, a retired doctor and mayor of Mulsans (Loir-et-Cher), and his wife Maryline, a recently retired nurse.
The mayor of Mulsans noticed “the color, the rhythm, then the rigor in the movements” during Shen Yun’s performance. “You can tell it’s a lot of work.”
“It’s technically breathtaking, a human performance,” Mrs. Arnoux added. “It’s colorful. There’s history and humor.”
“On top of that, there are the technological innovations with the fading background and characters. It’s really innovative. It’s very spectacular,” added Mr. Arnoux.
Shen Yun’s digital backdrop, a creation of its own design, adds a new dimension and infinite depth to the stage. This original innovation, which generates fluid interaction between the dancers and the projection, has been patented by the company.
“The music is soothing,” Mrs Arnoux added. “I find it soothing. You’re somewhere else, you’re transported to another world. It’s magical.”
“There’s something for everyone, in every religion,” she said.
“I brought 70 people to see the Shen Yun show because I thought it was really something very beautiful and worth the journey,” Mr. Agullo said. “I think everyone is glad they came to see this magnificent show.”
“I really appreciate the quality and self-sacrifice that must go into this troupe to be able to put on such a beautiful show, a magnificent performance,” Mr. Agullo said.
