GOLD COAST, Australia—Shen Yun Performing Arts is an important opportunity for Australians to see authentic traditional Chinese culture.
That’s the reaction of Lynne Benzie, president of the Village Roadshow Studios when she attended the sold-out show in Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts on March 15.
“Performing arts is very, very important, [not only] to the local community in Australia, but worldwide,” she said.
“To get the opportunity for people to see this culture—I think it is really, really important to understand it and what it means to many, many people.”
Village Roadshow Studios has been involved in the production of many Hollywood movies, including ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Deadman Tell No Tales, Aquaman,’ ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ and more.
“For me, it was amazing to see and appreciate the culture and what it gives to the community as well. Because different societies look at different ways, so it’s very special to see,” she said.
Ms. Benzie was thoroughly impressed by every element of the performance.
“The music, for me, is phenomenal,” she said.
“I mean, the live orchestra is very important, but the costumes and the colours are absolutely amazing,” Ms. Benzie said.
“But the digital technology, how they’ve embraced that into this scene that you’re seeing now is absolutely fantastic.”
Visually Spectacular and Also Educational: Journalist
Nicole Madigan, a journalist for Mamamia and formerly an on-air presenter for Nine Network, said the performance was not only “really visually spectacular,” but also really educational.
“I just wasn’t aware of that particular [spiritual] side of the Chinese culture. And I think that would be the same for a lot of Australians,” she said.
One dance piece, based on true events, depicts the persecution of Falun Gong in modern China.
“I think it’s an incredible and a really good thing that they’re spreading that around the world,” she said.
“I think there’s a message of resilience in there and determination to be true to yourself and stick to something you believe in, in the face of all of these things that are going on in the world.”
