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The Beauty and Spirituality of Shen Yun Performing Arts Continues to Move Audiences in Sydney (Photos)

April 26, 2009 |   Compiled by Clearwisdom staff

(Clearwisdom.net) Highly acclaimed Shen Yun Performing Arts once again captivated the audience with its unique portrayal of China's traditional culture at Sydney's Parade Theatre on Friday, April 24.

Prominent Australian Fashion Designer Finds Inspiration and Serenity in Shen Yun

Famous fashion designer Carla Zampatti who said she absolutely loved the show, "The beauty of the costumes, the wonderful sets. Very dramatic!"

Famous fashion designer Carla Zampatti

Ms. Zampatti's designs are synonymous with beauty, creativity and style, having been presented with the "Award for Fashion Excellence" at the Australian Fashion Design Awards in 2005.

Ms. Zampatti was captivated by the performance "Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain." "I thought that was extraordinary. I liked the energy, the skills, the excitement of it. I thought it was really, really beautiful. I also liked the drumming. I thought that was exquisite. Very special and very dramatic."

Ms. Zampatti found China's ancient culture is a "very strong, well developed culture. The inspiration is the beauty and the serenity of the history and the setting."

She noted the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, as depicted in "Heaven Awaits Us despite Persecution:" "Any kind of control and suppression of people's spirituality is very sad."

Prominent Scientist Praises Spirituality of Shen Yun

Dr. Solomon, a prominent scientist, was deeply moved by the spirituality that he experienced while watching the performance on Friday night with his granddaughter Amelia. "I liked the spirituality that comes through. Everything has a very high plane and tradition, particularly the things that come through for an adult. I think there is a great spirituality to it. I liked that it came through in the songs as well. They are fantastic singers, really fantastic."

Dr. Solomon saw the show with his granddaughter Amelia

Dr. Solomon added that seeing the show made him reflect deeply. "It causes people to think about what we are here for, where we are heading, not just a little spot here on earth. There are many, many other things to follow. It's very deep--the dance reflects that."

Dr. Solomon would like to see Shen Yun's artists continue in their endeavor to present China's authentic culture around the world. "The other thing is the great variety of culture in China. ... I hope they can continue it."

Theatre Director Pleased to See Shen Yun in Australia

After seeing Shen Yun for the first time, Mr. Carpenter, director of a Sydney theatre, congratulated Shen Yun for bringing traditional Chinese culture to Australia. "I think it's terrific that you're bringing Chinese culture to Australia, I think there should be more of it."

Mr. Carpenter, director of a Sydney theatre and actor and friend Ms. Brown

Mr. Carpenter saw the show with actor and friend Ms. Brown, said, "I'm particularly interested in the Monkey King. And it was interesting to hear a child from the audience yell out the Chinese name of the Monkey King."

Mr. Carpenter also liked the opening piece, "The Five Millennia Begin." "I liked the beginning, we both liked the beginning where it showed many skills with the dance, the drumming, the gestures."

His friend Ms. Brown loved the dancer's costumes. She said, "I liked all the beautiful costumes and the colors. It was all very subtle and beautiful combinations of color and beautifully made. It was wonderful to see the dancers move in these beautiful costumes. I think they're terrific, they're wonderful, and they're very beautiful as well."

Because both of them are former students of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Mr. Carpenter said, "It's great to see a company like this here at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts. I hope the students here today see these performers."

Impressed by Classical Chinese Dance

Retirees Mr. and Mrs. McLelland, came to see the show. Mr. McLelland was impressed, "It's pretty impressive isn't it, when they do the tumbling and the somersaults. They were very, very good on their feet. It's hard not to be impressed."

Mrs. McLelland was moved by the piece, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," which depicts a family torn apart by the persecution of Falun Gong in modern day China, saying it was very moving. "That was amazing!"

She also liked, "The drummers were really good, that's something I wasn't expecting. And the singing was impressive, she was really good," referring to soprano Chia-ning Hsu.

Audience Member Made Sure to Return

Bob Vinnicombe enjoyed seeing Shen Yun so much last year, that he made sure to return. Mr. Vinnicombe said, "You can see all the patterns the dancers are making. And I love all the colors and the precision of the dancers, it's just fantastic. And I'll tell you what, that singer, he has a fantastic voice."

Mr. Vinnicombe said he thoroughly enjoyed all the performances. "I liked all of them, I really did. I just like when there's a lot of dancers on the stage together and they're dancing these complicated sequences."

Source: http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15862/
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15867/
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15870/