“For me, it's a great therapy. For me, it's a therapy. It's a therapy of light. It's a therapy that touches me deeply, it's a therapy that leaves lots of messages, that updates my spirituality on certain subjects," said managing director Philippe Maitre. "So it's very profound. I’m very happy to have met Shen Yun, and at the same time, I was able to witness the diversity of many things in our world, contrary to a monolithic view. This is very nice to see.”
“We had a wonderful evening. It's a delightful show with a lot of grace. There were great artists doing some extraordinary technical work in terms of dance, on the technical, dance, and muscular levels,” said Praskova Praskovaa, an Independent Art Critic.
“It was a wonderful show. I mean, we're in a bit of a dream, with lots of colors, little scenes from everyday life. The end scene gives us good feelings. [We see the Heavens] dominate people who want to dominate and impose on others by force,” said Georges Jacono, a laureate of the French Legion of Honour.
His wife, Danielle Jacano added that it was really magical "with all the costume colors and the dancers. It was vaporous, with this lightness, everything was well done. It was like being in a dream, really, like in a dream.”
“It shows that China is a great dynasty, that it's a very, very rich country, with an enormous cultural wealth. We need to highlight that rather than anything else,” said Ms. Praskovaa.
“I'm very attached to spirituality, especially on this beautiful day we've just spent with Shen Yun. The show had impressive messages of strength, of kindness of course,” said Mr. Maitre.
“Well, the show, for me it really touched my soul and it's a true representation of the Divine, in every sense of the word," said Josiane Dutertre, a former company director. "I can't say it any better because it's clear that it really represents, yes, divine beauty, and it's so harmonious with the dance, the music, the costumes. Well! It's all there. Listen, they embody so much of this divine beauty. It's not just to say that it's the beauty of divine beings who dance. They really embody this beauty. And how it touches the soul!”
“Of course [I loved the music]. In France, we even have the word music therapy. Beyond music, there is movement, and movement is life. And once again, it's not just a show. It's not just mountains or plains. It's the story of life. It shows that both our inner and outer worlds are rich and diverse,” said Mr. Maitre.
“There were also the soloists, who did a very fine job. I thought the Chinese artist played her instrument with a lot of soul," said Ms. Praskovaa. "It was very concentrated. The young singer too, who gave a lovely performance. What interested me were the costumes, which are absolutely beautiful. And then the show sequences. The notion of mime too, with the faces and facial expressions to bring the show to life. So well done to the artists. It was a wonderful evening. It's very impressive. You can feel that the artists are pushing themselves to the limit. I think they're doing all this to show something we haven’t seen before. I think they're defending something by doing this.”
“[Shen Yun’s artists] have a totally different message, with a totally different philosophy, which is their religion and which we respect, and it’s also a bit close to our religion. We resonate with these values and this message that we should all strive towards one Divine Being [the Creator],” said Mr. Jacono.
“The show reminds me of the roots of a tree, because trees without roots don't grow, or they collapse. So in fact, humanity needs to find its roots again. So in fact, humanity needs to rediscover its roots. And that will of course involve kindness, compassion, and helping others. And then all that is an inherent part inside us which we should express, we should let our inner goodness express itself. That's it!” said Mr. Maitre.
“I really hope that [Shen Yun] lasts as long as possible, as long as humanity exists, because it’s through this show that the world will perhaps awaken and be able to get better. Because for peace to take root in a lasting manner, everyone has to be able to find peace within themselves, for it starts with ourselves. And then of course to find love and respect,” said Ms. Dutertre.
“The show is interesting, and it's great that they've put it this way, because I think it's the best way to get people to understand that there's something else [to our modern world], and it’s remarkable that the troupe has been able to make those [traditions] persist. Otherwise, I don't think we'd know! We wish Shen Yun all the best for the future and much success,” said Mr. Jacono.
