OXFORD, UK—Mahmooda Khokhar, Saleem Khokhar, and Manjit Kaur saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 8 at the New Theatre.
“The performance was amazing! Lovely people,” Ms. Khokhar said.
Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.
“[Shen Yun] should keep [their mission],” said Ms. Kaur, a doctor of functional medicine. “This tradition of history, if it’s not repeated, youngsters will never know about it. They’ll only know [the] Western world, and that’s all they will think about—Xbox and games—so it’s really good.”
Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.
“So much grace and their polished skin, really awesome grace! And the charm and the glow in the eyes and the way they move, everybody’s in synchronized movement that must take years of practice,” she said.
With 5,000 years of history, Shen Yun draws from China’s rich tapestry of culture, literature, myth, and legend and brings them to life on stage.
Ms. Kaur said she enjoyed the dance story that takes place in a monastery called “An Unexpected Encounter.”
The costumes in Shen Yun were designed by Shen Yun’s artistic director, D.F. The costumes are all designed to match the fashion worn throughout the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Shen Yun’s website states, “ancient Chinese clothing was inspired by the attire worn in the heavens.”
“I think the uniform, the [costumes] were immaculate,” said Mr. Khokhar, an aircraft engineer. “The color scheme was absolutely stunning.”
One instrument that shone under the spotlight was the two-stringed erhu.
“I didn’t realise they had so many tones,” Mr. Khokhar said. “The hairs on the back of your neck stand up; it’s very true.”
Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of the technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.
“How they jumped into the stage,” Ms. Kaur said. “Then they came up again. Awesome!”
