Shen Yun Review: —Stage Whispers

“There is something quite ‘other worldly’, even magical, about Shen Yun as a production, that leads to a string of adjectives starting with E …exquisite, ethereal, excellent, esoteric, exciting.

Certainly the production blends high tech AV and CGI - credited to Ken-Chieh Hsu and his team - in a form of set design and digital animation that we have not seen before except on the big screen in the most expensive of movies. Coupled with this is the purity of performance - no gimmicks or tricks, just astonishing discipline and precision, alongside outstanding talent. Every hand moves as one, every turn, every arabesque is the same height. It’s really quite breath-taking and many ballet companies would do well to study the discipline of Shen-Yun’s dancers, along with their superb technique. Yet there’s a naivety, an innocence and respect for the culture which is far removed from the glitz of most contemporary theatre.

It’s this marriage of the super high tech present with the purity of ancient Chinese dance (which includes tumbling and acrobatics) that makes this a very special show.

The programme is a blend of historic classical dance in all its beauty, through whimsical and laugh out loud buffoonery, and even some political commentary on modern China itself (but don’t be concerned, it’s the relating of true story from a spiritual standpoint, not propaganda).

Principal dancers Jaling Chen, Daoyang Zheng, Alvin Song, ElsieShi, Victor Li, and the charismatic Monty Mou – who was actually born in Sydney, are all classically trained and superb technicians at their art. But as if the stage performers aren’t enough, Shen Yun insists on touring a full orchestra which blends everything we’d hear in a western Symphony orchestra, plus the unique sound of ancient instruments carrying the melody of the all original score...

This is entertainment of the highest order and, though ticket prices are high (Shen Yun is a not-for-profit company), where else can you see a touring company of some 80 plus performers and musicians give their all in such an exemplary display of excellence?

The power of theatre never ceases to amaze me, and here, in a two hour performance, we get to experience a life affirming and life-changing experience.

It’s an experience that will stay with you long after the final curtain.”