Elisabeth Petit, an associate professor, said: “These are true artists because the dancers showcase genuine expression, stage presence, and virtuosity. There are also remarkable athletic and gymnastic performances.”
Robert Vernet, laureate of Knight of the Legion of Honor, said: “But above all, I was touched by the color of the clothes and the fluidity of the fabrics. I found it truly fantastic. Very pleasant.”
Anine Pagliarulo, a town council member, said: “It was a wonderful discovery, a real treat! Seeing that people can express so many things through movement, dance, music, and voice.”
Pierre-Henri Daure, a retired technical director, said: “You can tell they have put in a lot of work and rehearsed extensively. There is remarkable coordination between the singers and dancers which was really ... we're approaching perfection here. It truly is a high-quality performance.”
“It's really a wonderful way to discover the truly ancestral Chinese arts and traditions through music, martial arts, dance, and the arts as an ensemble and in a wide variety of scenes,” said Ms. Petit.
“And I also find in the music where there are these Asian sounds, but also a combination with classical music from our Europe, and I think that’s so, so wonderful, so beautiful,” said Mr. Vernet.
“I feel great! I feel ... like I've traveled. And it's not just a feeling, we truly traveled!” said Ms. Pagliarulo.
“Those special video effects were truly fascinating. The interplay between the divine scene and the human realm on stage was particularly original,” said Ms. Petit.
“I was impressed by the imagery of this [Buddha] figure who arrives and who looks a bit like the Virgin Mary, who comes down from heaven and brings forgiveness to Pigsy,” said Mr. Vernet.
“There's a message. Yes, it touches me, definitely. There are many heavenly messages here too,” said Ms. Pagliarulo.
“The soprano and the baritone had voices with such depth and gravity, accompanied by the piano. Truly, it was … simply beautiful,” said Ms. Petit.
“It’s a return to tradition; they took us on a journey through their country, with all these scenes and performances. It felt like a return to ancient China,” said Ms. Pagliarulo.
“I find the show both very powerful and very courageous, especially because I wonder whether there might be attempts to intimidate them, or something like that. It's a magnificent show, and one that's not afraid to say that it's in opposition to the current government [of China],” said Mr. Vernet.
“Ah, it's extremely commendable to see an ancestral culture that was trampled by the communist regime, and one that it really wanted to destroy, being reborn, thanks to the [Shen Yun] companies that tour all over the world, who are working ardently in the United States and who are coming to perform in France now,” said Ms. Petit.
“At some point, they will be able to return home, and the political landscape will change. Everything changes, everything evolves. There can be dictatorships, there can be difficult times and wars, but eventually it passes and peace and serenity can be restored. That's our wish for them!” said Mr. Daure.
“Go see it, it's worth it! It’s a magnificent show—the colors, the elegance. It's a truly refined show. I feel great admiration for the artists,” said Mr. Vernet.
