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Stuart Hancock, District Executive Director, in ANZ's Commercial Banking division, saw the show with his wife Natalie and both were deeply appreciative to have had the experience.
"We're very much enjoying the show tonight," he said. "It is the first time we have been to Chinese dance, so it was a great opportunity for us to understand the history and the culture.
"We were very much enjoying the dancing and the music".
Mr. Hancock said that he enjoyed the Herding on the Grasslands, a moving performance which depicts young Mongolian herders as they move across the plains, as well as the scene The Monkey King Outwits Pigsy. He was familiar with the story from the TV series about Monkey Magic on Australian television when he was growing up.
"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 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 echoed 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 there were so many different aspects to Shen Yun, the costumes, the backdrop, the choreography, but they were all "spectacular."
Mr. Hancock concluded by saying: "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 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,” he said.
Reporting by De Ming and Kati Turcu.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
