Shen Yun's Soulful Performance Moves Audiences in Canberra, Australia (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company’s won the hearts of audience members with its two soulful performances at the Canberra Theatre on March 8-9, 2011, in Canberra, Australia, as part of its 2011 World Tour.

Senator found Shen Yun “very impressive!”

Senator Gary Humphries at Shen Yun Performing Arts performance, at the Canberra Theatre on Wednesday, March 9.

Senator Gary Humphries, who represents the Liberal Party in the Australian Capital Territory, found Shen Yun to be “very impressive.”

The final performance for Shen Yun's 2011 World Tour in Australia saw three curtain calls and an encore from Guan Guimin, one of China’s most celebrated tenors in recent years.

Senator Humphries spoke very highly of the dancers, saying, “The people are obviously at a very high level of professionalism in what they do.”

Senator Humphries felt “quite privileged to see something of a more distant, a remote form of art form from China, which many Australians would not have an opportunity to experience.”

He added that he did not “think many other touring companies from China itself, for example, would display classical Chinese dance and music in quite the way this one does.”

Senator Humphries saw the show as being more than just a great evening of Chinese classical entertainment.

“I can see the inspiration behind lots of the scenes,” he said.

“Very impressive to see the indication of China's past, and its diverse history and cultures and it is really quite a good insight into Chinese history and culture. I would be hard pressed to find such a graphic display, anywhere else,” he said.

The Chinese Communist regime will not allow Shen Yun to perform in China due to China's extremely oppressive nature and its suppression of religious freedom there.

Senator Humphries said, “I think any restriction on artistic freedom is very aggressive.”

“I think it is important for people to be able to appreciate that art is being used to transmit messages, even political messages, for a long period of time. And the message that a show like this gives me, is that we should be respectful of the freedom people should enjoy, to practice culture and religious freedoms and other practices which don’t affect other people in an adverse way.”

The Senator concluded, “So I hope that would be a message that Chinese people in China would be able to take on board in the future.”

Former ballerina says Shen Yun is “one of a kind in the world”

Ms. Olga Molnar at Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Canberra Theatre on Tuesday, March 8.

Also in the audience was Ms. Olga Molnar, who has seen the show in Canberra last year, and came with a friends to see this year's program.

Ms. Molnar, a former professional ballerina from Hungary, said the show was “beautiful, it was absolutely marvelous. I was a ballerina, but this was more than I ever did in my younger life."

She added, "Because this is so spiritual, I really enjoyed it. I am spiritual. I understand Buddhism and Falun Gong and all these things really well, and this program is one of a kind in the world, so I told quite a few friends that were here today. I told them to come."

Regarding Falun Gong, Ms. Molnar said, "I know a lot about Falun Gong, for many years I know how they are persecuted. ... They are wonderful people and I think their time will come in a future very close.

"The songs the dancing and the culture is absolutely beautiful in China. It’s a shame, its not widely existing nowadays. I’m very proud to have seen it," concluded Ms. Molnar.

Company director: Shen Yun “absolutely excellent!”

Mr. Neil Emanuel, a company director, with friend Sharon Mack, at Shen Yun Performing Arts in Canberra.

Mr. Neil Emanuel, a company director, said he was amazed by the performance.

“It was really excellent, it was fantastic! It was much better than I thought it would be. The time went so quickly ... I don't know what else I can say, it was absolutely excellent!” he said.

Mr. Emanuel, who has lived in Hong Kong and visited Shanghai and Taiwan occasionally, found the show of superb quality.

“It was all good, so good. From the singing point of view, I loved the baritone. The baritone was superb. The music was fantastic, the music was superb,” Mr. Emanuel said, referring to baritone, Mr. Qu Yue, who sang The Path to Heaven.

Mr. Emanuel thought the show carried a special message and meaning that anyone can relate to.

“The message is there—freedom; freedom of expression, freedom of religion. It’s all there,” he said, adding, “Each dance has a meaning but they are all different meanings, but it’s great to see because China is such an old country. It is good to see the culture being revived.”

Banker gains “a deep appreciation of the culture” from Shen Yun

Stuart and Natalie Hancock at Shen Yun Performing Arts in Canberra.

Stuart Hancock, District Executive Director, in ANZ's Commercial Banking division, saw Shen Yun accompanied by his wife, Natalie.

"We're very much enjoying the show tonight," he said. "It is the first time we have seen Chinese dance, so it was a great opportunity for us to understand the history and the culture.

"And I liked the one about the students," said Mr. Hancock, "I felt sorry for the lack of freedom that they had to express their own beliefs. I hope that there is tolerance for what they [believe]. They're not harming anyone.”

Mr. Hancock was referring to the dance set called Our Story that is inspired by a true account. It tells of a beloved teacher who is persecuted as she writes the Chinese words for "truth," "compassion" and "tolerance" on the blackboard—three words that are grounds for arrest in modern day China although they embody the essential values of the Chinese nation since ancient times.

Mrs. Hancock agreed with her husband's feelings. She spoke about her appreciation of the show saying "It’s very clever and it’s a wonderful way to see your culture portrayed in dance that way."

She said that all the different aspects of Shen Yun, were "spectacular," including the costumes, backdrop, and choreography.

"I really get a deep appreciation of the culture, the history and how that's shaped ... just the feeling of expressing it through your dance."

He added that he felt proud that Shen Yun was able to come to Australia and to educate Australians on China’s history and culture.

“I think it must be such a proud history for the [Chinese] people,” Mr. Hancock concluded.

Shen Yun “a must for all” says Alistair Coe MLA

Alistair Coe MLA, Liberal Member for Belconnen, Nicholls and Hall, thought that seeing the Shen Yun show was a great way to learn about Chinese culture.

"I think it’s wonderful to be able to come to a performance like this and to witness 5,000 years of culture in the space of a couple of hours, really, it's a wonderful opportunity. I encourage as many Australians as possible to come and see the show."

Mr. Coe appreciated the spectacular diversity in the show and "the fact that it does articulate Chinese culture in so many different formats, whether it be singing, whether it be through the orchestra, whether it be through dance, I think there are so many ways in which it presents Chinese culture in such a spectacular way. It really makes it a must for all."

He said that Shen Yun "does broaden one’s horizons. I think it really is a great opportunity."

Mr. Coe also commented on the two dance sets in the show that touch upon the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

"I’m aware that the Falun Dafa practitioners are persecuted in China. That, of course, is a tragedy. I support the freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, so anything that can promote that, is, I think, for the best."

Mr. Coe thought that that the Shen Yun show was a good experience for anyone, and "at its core it’s about Chinese culture ... so it really is a spectacular opportunity."