SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘Very Special’: President of Village Roadshow Studios Amazed by Shen Yun

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‘Very Special’: President of Village Roadshow Studios Amazed by Shen Yun
President of Village Roadshow Studios Lynne Benzie at Shen Yun on the Gold Coast, Australia, on March 15, 2025. NTD
Epoch Newsroom
Updated:

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.

It was the first time Ms. Benzie attended the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music show, and she was amazed at the display of China’s deep cultural roots, which draw from its 5,000 years of civilisation.

“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.

Shen Yun’s live orchestra uniquely blends classical Eastern instruments into the classical Western orchestra, and is the only ensemble in the world to permanently do so.

“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.”

Shen Yun’s patented animated backdrop allows dancers to move seamlessly between the stage and the digital screen, opening up limitless possibilities in storytelling.
Ms. Benzie said she would “absolutely” return to see the show next year.

Visually Spectacular and Also Educational: Journalist

Journalist and author Nicole Madigan at Shen Yun on the Gold Coast, Australia, on March 15, 2025. (NTD)
Journalist and author Nicole Madigan at Shen Yun on the Gold Coast, Australia, on March 15, 2025. NTD

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.

Through Shen Yun, Ms. Madigan learned that the China before communism was deeply spiritual and that it is the Chinese Communist Party that has tried to destroy its rich culture.

“I think it’s an incredible and a really good thing that they’re spreading that around the world,” she said.

Ms. Madigan said everyone can enjoy the performance and relate to its message.

“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.”

Reporting by NTD and Rebecca Zhu.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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