HIGH WYCOMBE, UK — Christian Harris was happy to immerse himself in stories from “China before communism” as performed on stage by Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Wycombe Swan Theatre on Feb. 22.
Mr. Harris, managing director of a creative agency in London, said, “I thought it was very interesting to learn more about Chinese culture pre-communism.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive and share traditional stories from “China before communism.” Chinese civilization has been called divinely-inspired, and its rulers once highly valued the five cardinal virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness — traditional wisdoms that many worry have been lost in China today.
Mr. Harris said, “It’s as important as it’s ever been. I also think that pluralism and tolerance, living around other people that have different views than you, is something that everyone needs to practice more.”
Mr. Harris said, “The way that it is presented in the Chinese context is different to English. It seems like Chinese culture has a closer affinity with the heavens and the eternal than we do in the West. But it was beautifully presented with a digital screen behind the performers. It was really nice.”
One dance story that has moved many audiences around the world is “The Steadfast Heart” and this one Mr. Harris found intriguing.
“I think the most interesting one was … the arrest and torture of a person that wanted to practice the form of meditation [Falun Gong] that they were talking about,” Mr. Harris said.
The dance story shows how those who practice Falun Gong — which teaches self-improvement in line with the principles truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance — are persecuted and suppressed by the present communist regime in China.
“It reminds people in the UK that not everyone has [the] freedom of expression. It’s quite a terrible thing for the Chinese people in some ways,” he said.
Shen Yun features a live orchestra with both Eastern and Western instruments that brings to life the stories on stage.
“Really impressive live music,” Mr. Harris said. “It was really nice. Yes, it’s beautifully done.”
He said Shen Yun is “a great show, very professional, very enjoyable to watch, and I would recommend it to anybody to come down and see it.”
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