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TAIPEI, Taiwan—Coming straight from its six show sensation in Tainan, Divine Performing Arts’ (DPA's) first night in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, was again a roaring success. With a theater full of political figures and those of economic and art circles, the President of the Republic of China, Ma Ying-jeou also presented a congratulatory plaque and flowers, inscribed with “May the Divine Performing Arts company be a complete success.”
As always, the opening night in Taipei was a grand occasion packed with audience members. Apart from government officials, members of parliament, well-known businessmen, and those from art, law, and medical circles, celebrated figures from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and those of the Chinese elite, also present were tourists from Europe and North America.
The whole audience clapped enthusiastically at the end of each of the 21 programs, and also clapped spontaneously dozens of times at exciting moments during the programs. The songs of contralto singer Yang Jiansheng, and tenor Guan Guiman, enchanted the audience members, who called loudly for encores as both were walking off the stage. Guan Guiman turned around, and after singing Let Me Not Regret, then sang All Lives For This Life.
Deputy Commissioner of Planning & Economic Development, Huang Wanxiang, said that Chinese classical dance was truly exciting, and that the dancers seemed to be in “full bloom.” He said that every posture was very natural, and that it was not like humans dancing, but the celestial beings of song and dance themselves dancing. The animated curtain coupled with audio matched very well with the dancers movements.
“It makes us feel like we are really there at the scene. It has an amazing power to connect us to somewhere between the real and the ideal. He said it was “magnificent sight” that “completely changes people.”
Liao Cheng-ching of the Legislative Yuan praised DPA for its combination of Chinese classical dance with Western technology. He felt both great effort and beauty were displayed before his eyes. In particular, he said “The backdrops made me feel really, incredibly marvelous.” He emphasized the exciting nature of the performance: “I think anyone who sees this won’t regret it!”
Luo shu-lei, another member of the Legislative Yuan also attended the performance. He said: “These skills are extremely refined and efficient. It brings out and displays Chinese culture, every color, with a lot of gentleness—it is a program of a very high standard. Especially the backdrops, how its color changed and harmonized with the dancers; it was very mild, very soothing, very pure, and refreshing.”
Huang Kunhui, chairman of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) watched the performance of DPA for the first time. He said, “I was immensely touched and had a lot of feelings. The dancing combined elements of the body, spirit, and belief, so it’s natural, wonderful, and touching. 
"I was most impressed by the program, Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution, in which the Chinese Communist Party persecutes Falun Gong. People ask for freedom, democracy, and equality. I was moved by the protagonist’s spirit of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. At last, the protagonist ascended to heaven, which gave me a sense it was actually real.”
Zhu Qicheng, general manager of Bates Advertising Co., Ltd., said, “I think that the costumes of DPA are outstanding. They are especially designed and are of a high standard, which matched up with the entire backdrop as a whole.”
Zhang Limin, once a popular singer in the Chinese community, left the performing hall with a smile after the show concluded. She chatted for a long time, recalling which scene moved her most and said, “Most of the time, I was moved because their dancing skills were excellent. And the choreography and the stage effect were very good.” She said that she particularly liked Mulan Joins the Battle, in which the traditional filial piety and the noble deeds of being dedicated to the nation were promoted and glorified.”
Mr. Baldy, professor of University of Tours in France, who happened to be visiting Taiwan, said that he enjoyed the DPA very much. He said, “I like the Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution very much. Though the act only lasted for a few minutes, it presented a dramatic plot with rich connotations. I was greatly shocked and touched.
"Although there was no line in the act, through their vivid body language and wonderful choreography, the connotations were explicitly conveyed to us. This approach is beyond all cultural barriers. So anyone regardless of whether they are Chinese, French, or American could easily understand the content of the program.”
After watching the DPA’s premiere in Taipei, Mr. Tong Hok Bun, president of Hong Kong Tak Ming College praised the show as fantastic. He said, "It is indeed the grace of gods that we are able to perform it in the ordinary human world. Judging from the natural way of performance, we could tell it was a great work done by gods.” As what presented by the DPA was the authentic Chinese culture. Mr. Tong could not help but sigh with emotion, “Our 5,000-year Chinese culture is really magnificent. This is the best show I have ever seen in my life.”
For more information, please visit DivinePerformingArts.org
