Shen Yun performed in London’s Eventim Apollo Theatre on April 14, beginning this year’s final ten performances in the United Kingdom.
“It was absolutely magnificent,” said Benedict Rogers, who is a British human rights activist and the co-founder of Hong Kong Watch. It was his third time seeing the performance. “The staging, the costumes, the dancing, the music, it was just extraordinary, just an amazing array of color and culture,” he said.
Mr. Rogers appreciated Shen Yun’s aim to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture: “It brings the message that China as a country, and as a culture, as distinct from the Chinese Communist Party, is a great, beautiful, diverse ancient civilization and culture that has so much to offer the world.”
Apart from ancient cultures, Shen Yun also shines a spotlight on the current human rights issues happening in China.
“It brings out the Chinese Communist Party regime’s persecution, both of Falun Dafa, but also of ancient Chinese traditions. And it brings out the values, which are not just Falun Dafa’s principles. But actually, they’re universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. So it’s a very powerful performance,” Mr. Rogers said.
“I want to see the day when China is free. And when people can express their different spiritual, religious, political views, and where ancient Chinese culture and traditions can once again be freely celebrated,” he added. “The narrators said tonight that of course this performance cannot be seen in China today. I hope the day will come when this performance can be celebrated in China as well as around the world.”
Rogers said the spirituality woven into the performance made a big impact: “I think it’s a powerful reminder of the importance not just of our material lives, but our spiritual life, and whatever your spiritual or faith or religious belief, I think, you know, the soul matters as much as the body. And I think that’s a clear message of Shen Yun.”
“It was amazing to see the theater completely sold out, completely packed, and to hear the reaction of people, you know, sitting around me at the end, everybody clearly loved it. And the fact that Shen Yun has grown into I think it’s eight companies touring the world is amazing,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to Shen Yun’s artistic director and performers for holding on to their mission.
“I congratulate the founders of Shen Yun for having this vision back in 2006. And for putting this together every year, over the years, and now over the world,” Mr. Rogers said.
“A huge congratulations to the artists. I mean, it’s clear they must have trained and worked and rehearsed so hard to produce something so spectacular. And so I really want to congratulate them on their amazing talent but also their extraordinary hard work,” he added.
Shen Yun will perform in London through April 22.
NTD News, London
