(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company staged a show at the Workers Entertainment Recreational Centre in Kaohsiung on March 16, 2009. The Chinese classical dances imbedded with traditional culture deeply touched the audience, including members of the Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe and other arts professionals. They shared their impressions after the show.

Zhan Shaorong, Acting Head of Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe, spoke very highly of Shen Yun Performing Arts. He was very impressed with the well-knitted performances and their lively rhythms. "The success of the show comes from the solid basic training of the performers," he said.

Acting Head of Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe Zhan Shaorong

Zhan Shaorong believes that the projection techniques adopted in the backdrops are a very efficient use of manpower and material resources when a troupe is on long distance tours. The Chinese culture which is imbedded in the performances has touched the heart of the audience and aroused their sympathy. He admired the troupe for its ability to attract such a large audience in such a short time. "I believe Shen Yun Performing Arts has something very unique that is worth learning from. I have learned a lot from the show tonight," he added.

Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe, formerly known as "Zhongzhou Yu Opera Troupe" in Vietnam, took root and grew in Kaohsiung in 1953. Last year, it became part of CCPD and changed its name to Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe. The troupe is committed to the promotion of the culture of China's Central Plains and aims to carry on and further develop new areas of Yu Opera. The troupe often performs at home and abroad, and has won many awards.

Zhan Shaorong has held various positions, including Director of the Work Ethics Office of Guoguang Troupe and Director of the Secretariat of the troupe. He often leads delegation to perform overseas. He knows from personal experience the fatigue people experience on tour and how it can negatively affect the performers. "However, from what I see from the performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts, I feel they have become very experienced and are used to touring around the world. We can learn a lot from them," he commented.

Lin Juanfei, member of Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe

Lin Juanfei from Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe saw Shen Yun Performing Arts last year. This year, she enjoyed Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain most. She said that she was watching the male dancers on stage in every number, and found that although they are very young, they danced very well. She also said, "I felt that the long sleeves gave people a very good feeling of strength and beauty. Traditionally, long sleeves only demonstrate 'softness,' but I can also see strength in them today. I have found a lot of inspiration."

Lin Juanfei felt the choreography to be very professional, and the show reflects noble religious beliefs. She said, "The show is of very high standard, very enjoyable."

She is also very curious about the linguistic skills of the MCs, who are bilingual. "I have watched Shen Yun Performing Arts twice and found the MCs worked together seamlessly. It touched me deeply," she said.

Choreographer of Taiwan Yu Opera Troupe Hun Weimin felt that there was life in Chinese Classical Dance. He said with elation and surprise, "It is not only a dance, there is life in it. The dancers expressed the inner meaning of the dance with vivid expressions from their hearts, and touched the hearts of audience members with their souls. I can understand the meaning of the show."

He said the story in the dance, Monk Ji Gong Abducts the Bride was very easy to understand. "The theme was shown in physical movements. Was the monk abducting the bride or was he trying to save people? I felt the dancer performed very well, with the message from his heart, and the audience understood the meaning he was sending across."

He was particularly impressed with the choreography of the dance Flowing Sleeves and felt the energy from the male dancers. He was even more impressed with the miraculous backdrops. "To be able to turn such a simple stage, without much props, into such a magnificent view, with gods descending from heaven, and how the performers appeared on stage; it was very unique."

Shen Yun Performing Arts now has three troupes touring simultaneously. Some of the dancers are also choreographers. Hu Weimin found this amazing. He explained, "Because I'm a performer myself, I understand that it is most difficult to be a dancer and a choreographer at the same time. I'm very impressed."

Associate Professor Lin Hongze from the Visual Communication Design Department of Tainan Technology University found Mulan Joins the Battle and Monk Jigong Abducts the Bride most interesting. He said, "Those were the stories I watched on stage when I was a little child; so I brought my children to watch the show today. The high-tech multi-media backdrops were absolutely wonderful. One can also see aesthetics in them. I found the costumes truly outstanding."

Council member of Taiwan Fine Arts Design Association, Professor Ling Hongze from Taiwan University of Technology

Associate Professor Lin Hongze also teaches at the Department of Fine Arts of Kaohsiung Teachers University, and is currently a Council Member of the Taiwan Fine Arts Design Association. He has also held the position of Board Director of the 4^th and 5^th Kaohsiung Advertising Creation Association, and his works have won over a hundred international and homeland awards, including awards from the International Poster Biennale in Warsaw, Poland and the Salon International Poster Exhibitions in France.

Lin Hongze found the display of China's five thousand years of history in the show to be "very educational and it can purify people's hearts." He also found the high-tech aspects of the stage performance most outstanding. "It created a very moving visual effect. Since I work with design creation, I found it very inspiring and moving. It helps me learn more in the area of design," he said.

The dance Welcoming Spring gave Ling Hongze much inspiration as soon as the curtains were drawn open. He said with excitement, "It gave people an instantaneous feeling of spring right away. The scene on stage penetrated my soul. I found this most magnificent. I especially admire the costume designers; the colors of the whole show fused together very well and were very unique."

Lin Hongze also expressed that he enjoyed the singing very much, and said that this was the first time that he felt that a human voice could be so beautiful, "The singing was well coordinated, and the tenor and the alto were very impressive. You could tell from the applause from the audience, who kept shouting 'Encore! I also wished they could sing more. To tell the truth, I was really moved. Their voices deeply touched the hearts of the people. I looked at the subtitles very carefully and I could feel the inner meaning of those lyrics."

Lin Hongze found the color effects of the stage design to be very professional. "From the fusion of the colors to the overall stage effect, I found the whole color theme not only spectacular, but it also guided people to watch the dance movements. The designers must have excellent grounding skills."

Lin Hongze holds great admiration for the stage designer. He said, "The designer not only has excellent grounding skills, but also extensive knowledge. He has displayed many theoretical concepts. It is a blessing for the stage designer, because he has the stage to demonstrate his talent. It's really admirable."