Shen Yun

Shen Yun Performing Arts (simplified Chinese: 神韵艺术团; traditional Chinese: 神韻藝術團; pinyin: shén yùn yì shù tuán), formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, is a non-profit entertainment company based in New York. Founded in 2006, with a vision of renaissance and revival of the "true, five-millennia-old artistic tradition of China" as had thrived before its suppression during the Cultural Revolution and decades of communist rule, the company, according to its mission statement, seeks to "breathe new life into traditional Chinese culture."

Initially the shows were titled "Chinese Spectacular", "Holiday Wonders', and "Shen Yun", but now the company mostly performs under its own name. Each year the Shen Yun Performing Arts show tours several countries, performing across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia. Shen Yun's shows have been staged in several leading stages, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall, London’s Royal Festival Hall, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, and Paris’ Le Palais de Congrès and have drawn praise from varied sources. Its Chinese New Year Spectacular has been described as "the largest and most breathtaking celebration of the Chinese New Year in the world."

Reception

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Individuals who have given praise to the show, include Professor Chi-mao Li of the National Taiwan College of Arts, who said “I deal with a great number of visiting performance companies, and I can say that the show by Divine Performing Arts was the best I’ve seen in all my 60 years.” Kory Tylor, former ballerina and owner of a Dance Arts Centre said “There are no words to say how much I enjoyed it… I’ve never seen a dance company like it. I’ve seen the National Ballet, I’ve seen the New York City Ballet, and they dance from technique. But these people dance from the heart, from the soul… I will come to every performance they ever have… I think everybody should see this. These performances are phenomenal.” Academy award-winning actress Patricia Neal says she found the show "astonishing."

The Washington Post says the stories are "plucked from ancient Chinese history and fables," and weaves "traditional martial arts with music and dance." The Chicago Tribune says the show is: “Indisputably a spectacle.. a nimble mastery of traditional talent." Reviewing the show, the Boston Herald comments: “A dazzling array of costumes, and a crack orchestra that seamlessly fused Chinese and Western classical instrumentation… Bright background scenes underscored the idealized tone with rainbows arching above flowered meadows and sun rays kissing snowy mountain ranges.”. MSNBC news opined aspects of the show are "incredible" and "groundbreaking"; while The Performing Arts Insider described it as "a visit to a magical Shangri-la.”

Helen Musa, arts editor of the Canberra Times, opines that there is something in it for everyone and that she found the Buddhist influence in the Spectacular is "extremely interesting." She further states that that the show touches on many different levels: "Not just the eyes, not just the ears but on the heart and soul." Ottawa Sun says the show is "wholesome, family-friendly" and "revives cultural holiday traditions, some dating back 5,000 years, which had all but been forgotten." Globe and Mail states: “The show is certainly a spectacle. The production values are grand in terms of costumes and scenic effects" and that "the lush and tuneful original music is a fusion, layering a Western orchestra with traditional Chinese instruments."

The San Fransisco Chronicle states that the shows have depicted stories that reference repression in Tibet or persecution of Falun Gong practitioners . Lee, a choroeographer for the show, states that because the show raises human rights issues such as the persecution of Falun Gong some have come think of the show as a "Falun Gong" show. In some places the company has toured, Chinese officials have attempted to discourage local audiences from attending their shows. The Chinese consulate in Sydney attempted to persuade diplomats and federal and state politicians not to see the spectacular as reported by ABC Lateline. Swedish media, in 2008, ran exposés of attempts by the Chinese consulate to stop Shen Yun shows from staging in Stockholm.

Sarah Compton criticized the show for apparently placing too much emphasis on Falun Gong, which, she opines, contravenes their stated mission to preserve the heritage of classical China. Many of the performers practice the spiritual discipline, and the company states that it is proud have artists who practice Falun Gong. Others, on the contrary, appreciate the spirit of freedom and respect for human rights conveyed in parts of the programme.

Dr. Cyril Dabydeen, author and literary critic for World Literature Today, describing the show, states: "..the most extraordinary cultural show I’ve ever seen and experienced… It transported me back in time, in a sense of a beautiful, wonderful, quintessential Chinese culture." Ted Kavanau, Founding Senior Producer of CNN, characterized the show as "terrific in all ways" and "a remarkable achievement."Arnulf Baring considers it "fascinating" and "wonderful" and "that the strength to change is there in the courage shown in this performance."

External links

• http://www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org/ Official site

• Trailer for the 2009 Divine Performing Arts show in Dallas. Youtube Video

• Media Reviews, Shen Yun Website.

• Interview with Broadway critic Richard Connema "I probably have reviewed over 3 to 4 thousand shows since 1942. A lot of reviewers use stars, you know, 1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars, 4 stars, 5 stars... I will give this production 5 stars. That's the top... The best word to use is 'mindblowing'."

• Interview with David Suzuki, quote: "It’s very impressive."