Shen Yun Delights London Audience on Opening Night

Shen Yun Delights London Audience on Opening Night
Emmy and BAFTA winning actor Martin Freeman watched Shen Yun at the Dominion Theatre, London, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (NTD)

Shen Yun Performing Arts started its run of 14 London performances on Feb. 16. On opening night, the performance brought classical Chinese dance to a packed house at London’s Dominion Theatre.

Award-winning actor Martin Freeman, who is best known for his roles as Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit”  and Dr. Watson in the crime drama “Sherlock,” said he loved both the music and the skillfulness of the dancers.

“It was lovely, really skillful, I loved the color, I loved the music, I loved the musical recitals as well,” he said. “They’re amazing skills. I imagine they would have had to start that stuff very early on in life.”

According to its website, New York-based Shen Yun aims to revive the nearly lost 5,000-year heritage of Chinese civilization. It tells stories through dance with the aid of an animated backdrop and an orchestra that blends Eastern and Western styles of music.

“I’ve never quite seen anything like it in my life. It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” said Councillor Jean Crossby, mayor of the London borough of Sutton.

“What I particularly liked about it is there’s lots of little pieces and yet all linked together, giving you a feeling of time, which you can’t capture normally in one production,” said Michael Longshaw, chief executive at International Golf & Resort Management Ltd.

“The calming effect on you, that what’s good about it,” said Mike Swallow, technical coordinator for English Gymnastics.

“You feel as if you’re in that place, which is beautiful, and you don’t have to have the outside world looking in at you. You’re there in it,” Tania Swallow added.

“I think there’s a lot of lost arts in Chinese dance form, and I think it should be a world-wide thing, and it’s a shame, like they said, about not being in China,” said dancer Aisling Longshaw.

Shen Yun is performing at the Dominion Theatre until Sunday, Feb. 25.

“I would say if you want the best evening of your life, please go and see it because it is absolutely wonderful. I’ve never quite seen anything like it. I’ve been to quite a few shows, but [Shen Yun] has really been the best one I’ve ever been to,” Ms. Crossby said.

NTD News, London

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