(Minghui.org) New York-based Shen Yun’s eight companies gave 43 performances in twelve cities in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and the United States between February 17-23, 2025.

Shen Yun New Era Company at the Cité des Congrès de Nantes in Nantes, France, on the evening of February 19. The company presented eight performances in Nantes from February 18 to 23. Tickets for all the performances were sold out by the end of November last year. (The Epoch Times)

Shen Yun International Company at the World Forum Theater in The Hague, Netherlands, on the evening of February 18. The company presented three performances in The Hague on February 18 and 19. This was Shen Yun’s second round of performances in The Hague, as Shen Yun New Era Company presented three performances at the same theater on January 16 and 17. All six performances in The Hague this year were sold out. (The Epoch Times)

Shen Yun World Company at the Bristol Hippodrome in Bristol, United Kingdom, on February 20. The company presented four sold-out performances in Bristol from February 20 to 22. (The Epoch Times)

Shen Yun New York Company at the Théâtre de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland, on the evening of February 22. The company presented four sold-out performances in Lsusanne on February 20–22. (The Epoch Times)

Shen Yun Global Company performed to a packed house at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 23. The company presented five performances in Auckland from February 20 to 23. (The Epoch Times)

“The Level of Artistry is Top-notch”

Kevin and Joelle Fryman at the Shen Yun performance at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington D.C. on February 22 (The Epoch Times)

Joelle Fryman, who manages performing arts organizations, and her husband Kevin, saw Shen Yun in Washington, D.C., on February 22.

“Oh, the artistry was amazing. The timing, as far as the transitions between the screen and the dancers, it was impeccable. Just the energy, it combined everything, drama, comedy, entertainment,“ Mrs. Fryman said.

“The storytelling, it was beautiful, it was really beautiful. Yes, in these days, it really was nice to see the storytelling and the freedom of thought and voice come through.

“The level of artistry is top-notch,” she said. “The fact that there’s something new every year that is mind-blowing.

“It took all of the arts and really combined it into one,” Mrs. Fryman said. “It was beautiful, we really enjoyed it.”

Among the organizations Mrs. Fryman managed were an arts conservatory which has a dance program and an orchestra, so she watched Shen Yun with a trained eye.

“I could see the level of technique was absolutely phenomenal,” she said of the dancers. “And the orchestra, the orchestra, oh my gosh. I was blown away by the different instruments and how the variety of Asian and Chinese instruments were brought in. And it was just really impressive.”

Mrs. Fryman said she thought it would be difficult to combine ancient Chinese instruments and melodies with a classical Western orchestra, but Shen Yun pulled it off seamlessly.

“That storytelling through dance was felt just as much as storytelling through words. And so you have dance and you have music. You don’t need the words. I mean, the storytelling was there,” Mrs. Fryman said. “They tell you everything through the artistry.

“And there were children; we were surrounded by children and they were even enjoying it. Like it really held their attention,” she added.

Mrs. Fryman expressed support for Shen Yun’s mission and expression. “Just continue to speak to freedom of speech, of dance, of life. Continue on that mission,” she said.

“When they come back next year, I want to see another one,” Mr. Fryman said.

“Truly Blessed to Have Experienced It”

Donna Cooper-Barney at the Shen Yun performance in Northampton, the United Kingdom, on February 17. (NTD Television)

Donna Cooper-Barney, owner of a luxury hotel, saw Shen Yun in Northampton, the United Kingdom, on February 17.

“Oh, it was absolutely amazing. Beautiful production. The costumes were stunning. The colors are as beautiful as a peacock. And I felt like it was very, very humbling,” Ms. Cooper-Barney said.

“It sort of gives you a sense of peace and calmness. The elegance that the ladies and the gentlemen put forward in the show, just the simpleness of the hands and the movements, it was absolutely stunning and beautiful.”

Ms. Cooper-Barney said she would be recommending Shen Yun to friends and family and will tell them to “enjoy it as much as I did, and hopefully they get a piece of divine peace from it.

“I think that’s a fantastic idea what they’ve done because I think today we get so lost up in technology and we’re so entwined into not really looking back in time, but looking forward and we’re all going a little bit too fast, too quickly,” she said.

“I think more people should come and see the production and get a sense of that calmness, that peacefulness, that slowing-down pace, and learn a little bit more, and take that time out to learn about the history of Shen Yun.

“And for me, you can’t go forward without reflecting on the past. The past is so important for us all to learn and remember,” she added. “It’s absolutely fantastic what they’re doing and amazing for the young ones. I recommend for all the young ones to come and see Shen Yun.”

Traditional Chinese culture is considered divinely inspired, and spirituality and connection with the divine that is Shen Yun is brought to life and contributed to Ms. Cooper-Barney’s sense of peace.

“You get a sense of peace and calmness. So I think that divineness [is] definitely coming out to everybody in the audience to share. So I think it’s amazing, and feel truly blessed to have experienced it. I really do,” she said.

She commended the artists and expressed her gratitude, and she wanted to “thank them for sharing that divineness with us all in the audience today.”

“Amazing Traditional Storytelling”

Karen McMillan, an author, at the Shen Yun performance in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 22. (NTD Television)

Author Karen McMillan saw Shen Yun in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 22.

“Values are very important to the contemporary world,” Ms. McMillan said.

“As a writer, I think performing arts is really important—and for people to value traditions.

“And this is where arts comes into it... It’s like exploring the human condition and looking beyond just this human world.”

“Whatever nation you come from, it’s part of who you are.

“I think people will enjoy a different element and also to [get] them thinking about faith and things like that.

“Amazing traditional storytelling. I love that, and I like storytelling through dance,” she said.

“Can’t Find Words to Express the Beauty”

Robert Turner at the Shen Yun performance in Lausanne, Switzerland, on February 22 (NTD Television)

Experienced interpreter Robert Turner saw Shen Yun in Lausanne, Switzerland, on February 22.

“I can’t find words to express the beauty, the wonderful values. I’ve been coming to see Shen Yun for at least the last twelve years. I come every year. Sometimes I go to Geneva,” Mr. Turner said.

“I’m hopeful that someday they will be able to perform in China,” he said.

“It Comes From Within”

Chad Parks at the Shen Yun performance in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on February 22. (The Epoch Times)

Chad Parks, who works in the aircraft engine quality assurance business, saw Shen Yun in Oklahoma City on February 22.

“You can just tell it comes from within and not just their practice and all, but from their spirit,” he said, adding that he picks up on these things because he works for Pratt & Whitney, where “the smallest detail can create a catastrophe.

“We build jet engines for aircraft, not only military, but civilian aircraft,” he said. “We make sure everything is just right. So maybe that’s why this touches me more than maybe some because we’re very focused on details with aircraft.”

Mr. Parks elaborated on what he saw in Shen Yun, whose tagline reads, “China before communism.” Mr. Parks, who served in the U.S. military for 27 years, said the show enlightened him on the essence of Chinese culture, which he once assumed was a “very closed society.”

“But that’s not the way,” he said. “I have a new hope for society, later on, that we can come together and all have that positive spirit that is enlightening.”

He thinks the world can benefit from Shen Yun and its efforts to share those virtues.“Each one of them, you can almost look into their eyes and see that they’re just filled with that excitement and energy. It just flows out of them naturally,” he said. Can it benefit society? “Absolutely,” he said, “especially nowadays with society seemingly so divisive.”

For more information about performance times, locations, and tickets, please visit www.shenyun.com.