Brazilian Dancer and Choreographer Says Shen Yun ‘Superb’

BRUSSELS, Belgium—After visiting the French cities of Clermont-Ferrand, Paris, Lyon, and Mérignac, and a stop at Dublin in Ireland, Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company came for the first time to perform at Belgium's National Theatre.

The New York-based Shen Yun gave a colorful and exhilarating performance that portrayed 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese song, music and dance.

Ivo Silva, Brazilian dancer and choreographer went Tuesday night, March 29, with a friend, Ruy Basilio who is also a dancer. The two came to Belgium at different times and began a company called Zazi, which features “all the costumes of Brazil, all we have in Brazil,” said Mr. Silva.

As a result, the two have travelled extensively to a number of countries, including China. But this was the first time they had attended a traditional Chinese cultural spectacular.

“The dancers are superb, the technique is very good. There is life in the spectacular. There is nothing to say, superb,” the pair chimed in unison.

They were particularly amused by the introduction to each piece by the two hosts, since the Western host addressed the audience in Chinese, while his Chinese partner spoke in French.

“It’s good that they explained before [each program because] we don’t know Chinese custom and history,” Mr. Basilio acknowledged.

During the production, the two friends took note of the animated digital backdrop scenes that established a link between reality, and the magic of the story-based dance at hand.

Mr. Silva explained, “It’s totally different, with the projection coming in and out … the dancers who enter in the projection [scenes] really takes the audience into the world of what is happening. On one hand, we say 5,000 years of history but with the techniques of modern technology. What a mixture,” said Mr. Silva, causing him to reflect on how to better his own show.

“I also organize spectaculars,” Mr. Silva said. “This gives [me] ideas to improve the spectacular, to totally make it [come] alive.”

He was grateful to the Shen Yun choreographers for allowing the opportunity of studying their expertise.

“I thank the choreographer, because he has made a great spectacular, an excellent spectacular! There are designs in the choreography that I loved so much.”

The two laughed over the humorous antics of the dance piece, Little Mischievious Monks, but the last program, The Opening of Heaven’s Gates was particularly spectacular and inspired Mr. Silva to comment on the recent natural disasters appearing around the world; “How all the things that just happened on the earth [recently] are perhaps caused by humans,” he concluded.

The dance was also a reminder of the existence of “a higher being … who will support us—and all will be good.”

Reporting by By Frédérique Privat.

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