Eva is a gymnast. “We wanted to see all the acrobatics and all the performances put together,” her mother said.

Eva thought the animated backdrops were really cool: “It was really cool how they went into it and came out.” Sue concurred.

“The cultural [aspect] was really good, and to have the story of what you’re going to watch really helped bring it all to life. So it’s really good,” she said of the guided program. She was not aware of the deep spiritual traditions in Chinese culture. “I didn’t know China was that spiritual,” she said.

Eva said, “I’m quite a spiritual believer,” and she said Shen Yun “shows how a different people see different ways in the spiritual [realm].” Sue agreed wholeheartedly.

“It’s crazy how they can go on for so long and then do different dances, the same style, and remember it all at the same time,” Eva said.

Graphic designer and CEO of a marketing company, Alex Hizol, enjoyed Shen Yun’s performance in Northampton on Jan. 21.

“It’s excellent,” he said.

“We always love all those other shows ... We go to London and see the theatre: all the big shows,” although this was the first time he had watched Shen Yun. “I’ve been meaning to see this for ages ... so we made it, and it’s an excellent show.”

Mr. Hizol said he especially liked the first sequence of the Creator coming from the heavens to save the world.

The live orchestra got his complete approval. “It’s perfection, sheer perfection. It’s really laudable.”

Although he is not spiritual himself, Mr. Hizol appreciated the spirituality expressed in the performance. “I’m not very spiritual myself, to be honest, but the way the (performers) executed it, it was excellent. The message, I think, just got executed very well.”

Mr. Hizol said his daughter, 10, is learning Chinese, and Shen Yun inspired her. As a Bengali, Mr. Hizol said he appreciates everything in Eastern culture.

He said he would recommend Shen Yun to others and come again. “Of course, I will recommend it. Definitely.”