Shen Yun Is ‘Very Inspiring, Very Fantastic,’ Says Former Ballet Dancer

NTD Newsroom
Shen Yun
Dedicated to reviving a culture once nearly lost, Shen Yun Performing Arts uses classical dance and music to tell the story of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization from before communism. Audiences in Bergen, Norway, experienced the performance on April 16.

“I think it's very good, very inspiring, very fantastic. I've never seen anything like it,” said Marie Matturi, a former ballet dancer. “It's so precise, how they dance, and the precision in every step. I've danced ballet before, so I know how demanding it is to do it to perfection.”

She was also impressed with the digital backdrop Shen Yun uses: “I think [the 3D backdrop] was very magical. It gives an extra element to the show, which makes it very real. Like watching a live movie. And the orchestra was very nice.”

“Very nice, I think it was very beautiful, especially the dancing and the costumes. And maybe the most beautiful for me were the traditional instruments, that's what I think was the most beautiful,” said Matthias Isaksen, a piano teacher. “You hear that the music is inspired by folk music, regardless of which instruments are played, because of the tonal language.”

“It's very inspiring, it's very colorful, it's a very inspiring dance. And all the costumes are incredibly beautiful. It's very different from what happens on stage in Europe,” said Justa Sirvaityte, a laboratory head.

Shen Yun is simultaneously touring the world with eight companies, and brings an all-new program every season, with original dance, music, backdrops, and stories for audiences to enjoy.

“It's like spring is coming, when everything is a bit gray. And you know that something is happening, the flowering that happens at the beginning of summer, all the flowers bloom, and the rich colors. I think it's that feeling in a way,” said Sirvaityte. “I hope everyone can try to come [to watch the show]. I think that everyone who comes will find something they like.”

“If they get a chance to go to a show like that, take it. Because it was an experience. A great experience, I think,” said Arild Aase, a business owner.

Shen Yun will be performing in Odense, Denmark, on April 25 and 26.
NTD News, Bergen, Norway

NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.