Shen Yun, a New York-based performing arts company with the catchphrase “China before communism,” is receiving significant attention from UK residents. The company showcases China’s classical dance and musical performances, free from communist propaganda and historical legacy. Moreover, the company is known for captivating audiences across the world with its elegant dance, vibrant costumes, original music, animated backdrops, and family-friendly humor. The New Era touring company is scheduled to present 47 shows in ten cities and towns across the UK over the next two months, kicking off in Birmingham. Principal dancer Marilyn Yang expressed hope that the UK audience would relish the true traditional elements of Chinese performing arts, devoid of communist influences.
Ticket hotline manager Lisa Lee revealed that UK residents have shown great interest in Shen Yun, with an impressive demand for tickets early on, despite the busy Christmas season. Emcee Sammie Song, who has spent time in the UK, noted her delight in presenting Shen Yun to British spectators. She emphasized that the mission of Shen Yun Performing Arts is to restore China’s traditional values and culture, nearly extinguished by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). According to Ms. Song, Shen Yun’s performances genuinely reflect China’s heritage and values, which are universally loved.
Marilyn Yang, the principal dancer, shared her excitement about returning to the UK and expressed her high anticipation for the upcoming shows. She explained that Shen Yun performances have the power to evoke a range of emotions and create touching moments for the audience. The show is choreographed in a manner that perfectly depicts traditional Chinese dance techniques. Its performers are trained to embody the history and culture of China, with the aim of being not only better performers on stage but, most importantly, better human beings. Shen Yun’s artists believe in practicing Falun Dafa, a Chinese spiritual practice advocating “truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance,” which provides them with the humility and strength necessary to ensure a successful performance. They will tour the UK until February 25, making stops in cities such as Oxford, London, Woking, and Liverpool. Correspondents Mary Mann and Liang Dong have reported on this captivating story.