(Clearwisdom.net) On April 19, 2008, Divine Performing Arts successfully completed a third show in Auckland. Also known as "the city of sails," Auckland has experienced a wave of enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture, since the arrival of Divine Performing Arts' global tour.
Auckland audience on April 19, 2008
A young theatergoer
As Kelly, one of the show's MCs, greeted the audience with "Kia ora", the entire theater was filled with joy. Each time curtains were reopened, whether the backdrop displayed the magnificent world in the heavens, or a scenic picture of the 'home of water' in Jiangnan, the poetic atmosphere was greeted with waves of applause. The skillful techniques of the dancers, and moving voices of the soloists deeply touched Chinese and Western audience members in Auckland, and amazed them with the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.
Chinese woman: Now that I have seen the show, I will have no regrets for the rest of my life
After seeing the Chinese Spectacular, Chinese immigrant Ms. Zhou was deeply impressed. With an emotional voice, she expressed that the beauty of the show has nurtured her heart, which had been deprived of care for decades. She said, "This show is particularly beautiful. "Divine Performing Arts" is indeed "Divine" performing arts. The name is very well justified. For decades in my life, my heart has been deprived of care, and I have felt [the show] has given us so much nurturing."
Ms. Zhou expressed her deep regret at not attending the Divine Performing Arts show in 2007, but now that she has seen the show, she would not feel regret for the rest of her life. "I wanted to see it very early on, and felt regretful I did not come last year. That is why I had to come this year, no matter what happened. In any case, now that I have seen it, I will have no regrets for the rest of my life," she said.
Ms. Zhou said she liked all programs throughout the show, and felt very proud to be a Chinese. "I liked them all, there was none that I did not like. It was just great. The show was so wonderful! I feel very, very proud. It was very good, fantastic!"
Finally, Ms. Zhou expressed her heartfelt thanks to Divine Performing Arts, "I am very thankful to all the staff and performers of the Divine Performing Arts show. It was very, very good, and has brought nourishment to my soul."
Visual artist: Every performance was fantastic, unable to depict with poetry or paintings
Upon seeing the third show of the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular, New Zealand visual artist Christine Anne Soragson said, "The show was so touching. I was moved to tears."
In "The Risen Lotus Flower", Christine was moved by the compassion. She felt that a light was ignited within her heart, "In 'The Risen Lotus Flower', during the scene in which Falun Gong practitioners were persecuted in jail, I was deeply touched and was moved to tears. I know that Falun Gong practitioners follow the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance", but seeing them persecuted, I felt extremely sad inside."
Visual artist Christine Ann Soragson
Christine continued, "But when I saw the light which broke through walls of the prison, it was like seeing hope and great love. I saw compassion, and it was so beautiful! That scene moved me to tears."
As an expert in poetry, photography, and capturing changes in light, Christine felt the "Descent of the Celestial Kings" was unable to be depicted with poetry or paintings. "The first performance, 'Descent of the Celestial Kings' with the golden backdrop, felt as if a mystery had descended from the heavens. I felt that I was uplifted. That visual feeling is a dynamic experience."
"Each word in the name "Divine Performing Arts" is so well justified. Every show was so fantastic, elegant, beautiful, graceful, enchanting, and peaceful. I myself cannot depict it with poetry or paintings."
Television producer: They have really done an outstanding job
Ian, a television producer, attended the Chinese Spectacular after recommendations from friends. From a producer's perspective, Ian felt the show was very well coordinated, in all aspects of dance, stage design, lighting and backdrop.
He said, "I very much like the large screen backdrop on the stage, I feel it is very beautiful and characteristic, and put the effects of the entire show on a very high level. They have really done an outstanding job. Also, I feel the lighting and colors of the stage were very well coordinated. The dancers have performed very well, whether it was individual movements, or cooperation as a whole, it was very well done. One could see they have been through long and very rigorous training process."
Television producer Ian felt the show was very well coordinated
To be able to witness traditional Chinese culture, Ian felt it was a very educational experience. He expressed that he particularly liked the legend "Lady of the Moon", and "The Risen Lotus Flower," which depicted the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
He said, "The show was very good, and very educational. It's great to hear these Chinese melodies, and see Chinese dances here in New Zealand. I liked "Lady of the Moon", and the story about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in jail."
Auckland MP: The show was fantastic, I liked it very much
Councillor Jandtte and friend Doreen praised the show after watching Divine Performing Arts' third performance. They felt they had never experienced a show of such beauty.
Councillor Jandtte (left) and friend Doreen (middle)
Jandtte said, "The show was so wonderful! I work with Chinese people, so from seeing this show, I can understand more about Chinese culture, dress, and their arts, I liked it very much."
Doreen, who is an enthusiast for performing arts, was particularly delighted after watching the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular. She said, "I usually work in public service, and I also like to dance. My hobby is dance, and I love performing arts. I feel very excited to see such a beautiful dance performance. I can't wait for the second half."
Doreen felt every performance was beautiful, and encompassed great control. She particularly liked "Water Sleeves." "After I saw the advertisement for the Divine Performing Arts, I felt it would be very good, and came to see it. Every dance was so skilled and under control, and the choreography was superior, I have never seen such a beautiful performance. It was just fantastic. The costumes were beautiful and colorful. I particularly liked the pink "Water Sleeves" dance, it was so full of body rhythm."
Russian Association branch manager Janet Franks: Falun Gong should be given the honor it deserves in China
Russian Association branch manager Janet Franks from Hamilton accompanied her friend Dianne Trachand to the show. Janet felt the show was excellent and appreciated the messages which Divine Performing Arts conveys.
Russian Association branch manager Janet Franks from Hamilton accompanied her friend Dianne Trachand to see the show
Janet congratulated the event organizers, and said that every performance was great, hence it was difficult to pick a favorite. She felt amazed at the level of training which the dance performers have been through.
Janet felt everything in the show was original; the celestial maidens were wonderful, and the drumming performance was fantastic. She also liked the resonant voice of the male tenor.
Janet said she could understand the messages that the show conveys. "After the second World War, China was ruined with famine and deaths. The show displayed the vitality of Chinese people. It is part of China, and their characteristics, the qualities of compassion should be revived."
Janet believes Falun Gong is part of traditional Chinese culture, and should be given the honor it deserves in China.
Ballet instructor: performers in the Divine Performing Arts must have been through years of training
Janet's friend Dianne was once a ballet dancer and dance instructor. From the way she took her steps, one could still observe the marks of her professional training. Upon seeing the show, Dianne felt that the dancers of Divine Performing Arts have been through many years of training, in order to achieve such in-depth and well-rehearsed level of performance.
Dianne said, in her previous dance schools, she felt Russian ballet dancers were the best. Now she is very interested in Divine Performing Arts, and thinks the dancers are extremely talented. Dianne felt each dancer's movement of the hand and feet were very elegant, and displayed outstanding characteristics as performers. She particularly liked the "Mongolian Bowl Dance."
