(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company performed four shows to excited and appreciative audiences at the ASB Theatre, 'The Edge,' in Auckland, New Zealand from April 30 to May 2, 2010.

Media consultant and events manager, Mrs. Hiria Rakete with her husband, Mr. Rakete, an environmental planner.

Mrs. Hiria Rakete, a media consultant and events manager, attended the show with her husband, Mr. Rakete.

"We've got to get behind these guys and help them bring more [Shen Yun shows to New Zealand]," said Mrs. Rakete.

"Of course they are a professional company but they are performing at national standards and above," she said. "I don't know if they are actually a national performing team, but they should be a country's performing team. New Zealand should adopt them, actually, they are amazing!"

She continued, "Oh, amazing, innovative, and just incredible talent! I am just reading about the choreographers in the program book. The dance is just amazing, so much energy.

"They just make everything look so easy. They are doing really complex moves up there, and they are just going and going and going and going. It's amazing, it's incredible, no breathing out--just everything in sync."

She said that she really wished that she had brought more people to the show, including her children. "The discipline that goes into the show, just everything that goes into it. I just really wish I could have brought more people."

The couple was interested in having a good view of the orchestra pit and stage, so they bought two front row tickets.

"We wanted to see the pit, the dances and everything," said Mrs. Rakete, adding, "I am really impressed by the erhu instrumentalist, and the percussion ... they're just so lean, the orchestra's so lean, and they just give out a full orchestra sound. It's amazing.

"The conductor really excites me," she said. "She comes from a famous musical family."

She thought the color of the costumes were "incredible," and marvelled at the way the whole performance came together as a whole.

"I just love how they integrated the live sound, with the live dance, and the pictorial graphics above it. It's just amazing how they have put the whole show together. Whoever brought these guys here, they should get some award ... should be some medal that they get for introducing New Zealanders to more talent in our own community."

She said that the show reinforced her feeling that the Chinese people "have a deep love for creation, deep respect for creation and creativity."

She was saddened by what she described as similarities in China's history and Maori history, as it was portrayed through the show's story-based heroic legends, folk tales, and modern stories of great courage.

"But it's a good thing," she said, "I mean it's sad that all of us have had some pretty heavy times, but we've all come through them."

Her husband agreed. "Beautiful, extremely moving stories, particularly how they opened with some of the original stories, and then they brought it down to modern day, [the persecution of] Falun Gong ... what's happening there. Really powerful messages. And then the timing with the baritone singer ... it's just beautiful, beautiful exposure to their culture, wonderful!"

Mrs. Rakete expressed a sincere wish to see each of the remaining shows, before Shen Yun left Auckland.

Property developer gives Shen Yun "Eleven out of ten!"

Property developer Sylvia Hogan at Saturday's matinee.

Property developer Sylvia Hogan thought the show was fabulous. "Eleven out of ten!" she said. "The colour and the synchronized dancing and the costumes, it's just fantastic, absolutely fantastic!"

Sylvia said she was hoping to see more of the orchestra, particularly the erhu, which she described as very dramatic and emotional.

Retiree Leila Malcolm attended the show with her friend, Joy Downes. They said that they felt very fortunate to hear a full, live orchestra.

"I love a live orchestra ... and the music is lovely," said Joy. "I just think it's absolutely brilliant! It's out of this world. The costumes are exquisite. Not very often do we come across a show this good and for such reasonable prices--wonderful. Just takes you right out of the ordinary world for a while, doesn't it?"

Leila agreed, saying, "It's divine isn't it?"

Travis, a veteran martial arts teacher, said that he found the performance "stunning." "Absolutely stunning, beautiful dancing, beautiful costumes and good message--freedom, the right to praise who we want to praise without the government controlling. I think it's wonderful."

Doctor traveled two and a half hours to see Shen Yun

Dr. Stewart, along with his wife, Irina, a Russian translator, and some friends, drove two and a half hours to see the show.

A friend had recommended the show to the couple, as well as their daughter, who had seen the show the previous day.

When asked if the couple would recommend the show to their friends, Dr. Stewart replied "Definitely. Good action, good dancing, so it was good value for the money," he said.

"It was good to have a live orchestra as well," added Mrs. Stewart.

Sources:

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34533/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34485/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34527/

Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts