TORONTO—Shen Yun Performing Arts brought out some of Toronto’s finest for its opening night at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on Thursday.
John D. McKellar, chair of the Toronto Arts Council, said he has been to China but did not see dancers like this.
“It was a very exciting show. … It’s great to see them right here in Toronto. Very exciting, dynamic, thoughtful. It gave us something to think about, all the great history of China.”
New York-based Shen Yun aims to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance presentations that include pieces depicting legendary Chinese historic figures and beloved characters from famed Chinese novels.
With tales rooted in traditional Chinese values such as compassion, honour, filial piety, and reverence for the divine, Shen Yun aims to rejuvenate a heritage nearly destroyed under decades of communist rule.
“Today, on the surface, the Chinese Communist Party claims to be reviving traditional Chinese culture. But no matter how its efforts are framed, they are ineffectual. For the Chinese Communist Party removes the cultural essence of respect for the divine, thereby extracting the heart and soul of traditional Chinese culture,” notes Shen Yun’s website.
For Mr. McKellar, it was a night to sample that culture in a performance that was among the best he’d seen, he said.
“The artistry was wonderful. … And the costumes were spectacular. Wonderful costumes and the colours blending with the lighting and so on. Very effective stuff.”
Shen Yun’s costumes are designed for each dance, with a new wardrobe of bright costumes created each year comprised of hundreds of pieces, depicting everything from the ethnic dress of the Manchurians to the imperial robes of past emperors.
‘I really loved the costumes’
Also in attendance was Tselane Mokuena,a senior diplomat based in Toronto, who described Shen Yun as “fantastic.”
“I don’t even have words to describe it. … I would love to come again, and I will invite my friends, and I will publicize it in the Facebook pages. I will let our people know.”
She said the costumes worn by the dancers blew her away.
“I saw a lot of colour. And that really illuminates your mind, your brain, it relaxes you,” she said.
“It gives you a flowery feeling, a euphoric feeling. I really loved the costumes. I loved the light. In the dancing, I loved the grace of the girls. They dance and walk with grace, and that defines the women that are seen here.”
Classical Chinese dance is unique in its emphasis on the inner character of the dancer, a fact born of traditional Chinese culture’s emphasis on the nature of a person’s mind and heart.
Another distinguishing element are the unique orchestras that accompany each of Shen Yun’s three touring groups. They combine the foundation of a Western philharmonic orchestra with classical Chinese instruments playing lead on the melodies.
“The music was very serene, very calm, but at the same time very stimulating. … It’s very calming,” noted Ms. Mokuena.
‘Excellent Orchestra’
York economics professor Sam Lanfranco, who is retiring from the ivory tower to a career of sustainable development in impoverished countries, said he was also very impressed by the quality of dancing and music.
“I’m always very impressed with the dancers because they work so hard,” he said.
“Excellent orchestra, excellent. A lovely dedication by the dancers and by the orchestra. Very impressed.”
During intermission, Garry Chalcraft, owner of Chalcraft Custom Builders, said the costumes and dancing were amazing.
Mr. Chalcraft and his wife, Susan, gave each other tickets to Shen Yun as a gift.
“We love it. The colours, and the singing,” he said.
“I think it is beautiful. It’s absolutely stunning. I am really enjoying it,” said Mrs. Chalcraft
“I am so amazed how light-footed they are too. We were seated right at the front, three rows back, and you can’t hear them land. It’s like they never land, it’s amazing to me. It’s a spectacle, very beautiful,” she said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Matthew Little
Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company is in Toronto for five performances at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
