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| ==Content== | ==Content== | ||
| Shen Yun shows feature traditional Chinese dance and song. |
Shen Yun shows feature traditional Chinese dance and song. A January 2010 seven-show run of Shen Yun at the ] Opera House in Washington, DC, consisted of twenty-two vignettes with colorful costumes, dancing, and "thrilling operatic singing."<ref name="concnet">{{cite web | url=http://www.concertonet.com/scripts/review.php?ID_review=6204 | work=] | last=Sparacino | first=Micaele | date=19 January 2010 | accessdate=29 January 2010 | title=Deities, Dragons, Dancers, and Divas }}</ref> The 2008 shows in Denver were composed of sixty dancers, singers and musicians,<ref name="denverpost"/> though the size of each company varies. According to the company, traditional Chinese culture is a major source of inspiration. The 2007 shows in San Francisco contained sixteen<ref name="sfbaytimes">{{cite web | url=http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=5979 | work=] | last=Goodwyn | first=Albert | date=11 January 2007 | accessdate=5 September 2009 | title=Chinese New Year Spectacular }}</ref> different acts, exhibiting the same inspiration: Imperial-style dances in high platform shoes, drum dances, folk dances and Chinese martial arts displays.<ref name="sfgate" /> The acts are presented in both Chinese and the local language.<ref name="sfbaytimes" /> Each act is accompanied by a full-width projected backdrop, that provided animation of "mountain scenes with snow, village scenes with rising smoke, countryside landscapes, and palaces."<ref name="sfbaytimes"/> | ||
| Shen Yun enacts three distinct forms of Chinese dance in its performances: classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance (for instance, dances of China's Dai and Mongolian ethnic minorities<ref name="exploredance"/>), and story-based dance, presenting classic Chinese stories such as the legend of Mulan.<ref name="pnwi">{{cite web | url=http://www.inlander.com/content/arts_culture_shen_yun_performing_arts_inb_center/ | work=] | accessdate=15 November 2009 | title=International Incident }}</ref> | Shen Yun enacts three distinct forms of Chinese dance in its performances: classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance (for instance, dances of China's Dai and Mongolian ethnic minorities<ref name="exploredance"/>), and story-based dance, presenting classic Chinese stories such as the legend of Mulan.<ref name="pnwi">{{cite web | url=http://www.inlander.com/content/arts_culture_shen_yun_performing_arts_inb_center/ | work=] | accessdate=15 November 2009 | title=International Incident }}</ref> | ||
| The songs are in Chinese, but the lyrics, both in Chinese and the local language where the performance is being held, are projected onto a backdrop.<ref name="exploredance">{{cite web | Aside from the dance pieces, a live orchestra of Chinese and Western instruments adds a nostalgic counter-melody.<ref name="pnwi" /> The songs are in Chinese, but the lyrics, both in Chinese and the local language where the performance is being held, are projected onto a stage-spanning backdrop revealing the performances' themes, "dealing often with historical movements and their devoted disciples."<ref name="sfbaytimes" /><ref name="exploredance">{{cite web | ||
| | url=http://www.exploredance.com/article.htm?id=1748&s=type&sid=144 | | url=http://www.exploredance.com/article.htm?id=1748&s=type&sid=144 | ||
| | work=Explore Dance | | work=Explore Dance | ||
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| | date=16 February 2007 | | date=16 February 2007 | ||
| | accessdate=5 September 2009 | | accessdate=5 September 2009 | ||
| | title=NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular }}</ref |
| title=NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular }}</ref> | ||
| ==Show names== | ==Show names== | ||
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| The '']'', '']'' and '']'' billed the show positively, the Chronicle exploring scenes in the performance depicting Falun Gong.<ref name="sfgate"/><ref name="sfbaytimes"/> Richard Connema, San Francisco critic for ], was interviewed by the Falun Gong-affiliated NTDTV and described the Shen Yun performance as "absolutely fantastic," and gave it five stars.<ref name="ept">{{Cite news | title =Theater Critic Calls DPA 'Mind-Blowing' | newspaper =] | year = | date =10 January 2009| url =http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10104/}}{{Verify credibility|date=November 2009}}</ref> Opera Online described one performance as "simply astounding to watch and a pleasure to the ear."<ref name="operaonline">{{cite web | url=http://www.operaonline.us/mythslegends_001.htm | work=] | accessdate=15 November 2009 | title=Boston welcomes Year of the Dog with Gala multi-cultural celebration at Cutler Majestic }}</ref> | The '']'', '']'' and '']'' billed the show positively, the Chronicle exploring scenes in the performance depicting Falun Gong.<ref name="sfgate"/><ref name="sfbaytimes"/> Richard Connema, San Francisco critic for ], was interviewed by the Falun Gong-affiliated NTDTV and described the Shen Yun performance as "absolutely fantastic," and gave it five stars.<ref name="ept">{{Cite news | title =Theater Critic Calls DPA 'Mind-Blowing' | newspaper =] | year = | date =10 January 2009| url =http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10104/}}{{Verify credibility|date=November 2009}}</ref> Opera Online described one performance as "simply astounding to watch and a pleasure to the ear."<ref name="operaonline">{{cite web | url=http://www.operaonline.us/mythslegends_001.htm | work=] | accessdate=15 November 2009 | title=Boston welcomes Year of the Dog with Gala multi-cultural celebration at Cutler Majestic }}</ref> | ||
| Other reviewers have said that past Shen Yun shows were not advertised explicitly enough as being inspired by Falun Gong philosophy, yet contained scenes depicting the persecution of its practitioners in China: a heavily critical piece in ''The New York Times'' in 2008 raised these objections about allegedly misleading promotion;<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news | last =Konigsberg | first =Eric | title =A Glimpse of Chinese Culture That Some Find Hard to Watch | newspaper =] | year = | date =6 February 2008| url =http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/nyregion/06splendor.html?_r=1&oref=slogin}}</ref> while similar opinions were put forward by the ''Daily Telegraph'', the ''Toronto Star'', and ''The Guardian''. The ''Telegraph's'' reviewer described the "politically motivated" content as "propaganda as entertainment,"<ref name="telegr"/> while the others echoed those sentiments.<ref name="star20080120"/><ref name='guardian'>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/feb/25/dance |title=Dance review: Shen Yun Royal Festival Hall, London |first=Judith |last=Mackrell |work= The Guardian |date=25 February 2008 |accessdate=1 April 2009 }}</ref> A reviewer of the ''Buffalo News'' also argued that the show misrepresented itself in its promotion efforts.<ref name='buffallownews'>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/05/30/1066022/songdance-spectacular-not-exactly.html#comment |title=Song & dance spectacular not exactly what it seems |first=Colin |last=Dabkowski |work= Buffalo News |date=30 May 2010 |accessdate=21 June 2010 }}</ref> | Other reviewers have said that past Shen Yun shows were not advertised explicitly enough as being inspired by Falun Gong philosophy, yet contained scenes depicting the persecution of its practitioners in China: a heavily critical piece in ''The New York Times'' in 2008 raised these objections about allegedly misleading promotion;<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news | last =Konigsberg | first =Eric | title =A Glimpse of Chinese Culture That Some Find Hard to Watch | newspaper =] | year = | date =6 February 2008| url =http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/nyregion/06splendor.html?_r=1&oref=slogin}}</ref> while similar opinions were put forward by the ''Daily Telegraph'', the ''Toronto Star'', and ''The Guardian''. The ''Telegraph's'' reviewer described the "politically motivated" content as "propaganda as entertainment,"<ref name="telegr"/> while the others echoed those sentiments.<ref name="star20080120"/><ref name='guardian'>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/feb/25/dance |title=Dance review: Shen Yun Royal Festival Hall, London |first=Judith |last=Mackrell |work= The Guardian |date=25 February 2008 |accessdate=1 April 2009 }}</ref> A reviewer of the ''Buffalo News'' also argued that the show misrepresented itself in its promotion efforts.<ref name='buffallownews'>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/05/30/1066022/songdance-spectacular-not-exactly.html#comment |title=Song & dance spectacular not exactly what it seems |first=Colin |last=Dabkowski |work= Buffalo News |date=30 May 2010 |accessdate=21 June 2010 }}</ref> A local dance expert responded to the negative review, arguing that he had "missed the entire point and theme of the performance," and asserting that "it is the job of an artist to communicate thoughts and ideas."<ref name='buffalloresponse'>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalorising.com/2010/05/shen-yun-a-universal-theme-a-reader-responds.html |title=Shen Yun a Universal Theme (a reader responds) |first=Cathy |last=Skora |work= Buffalo News |date=28 May 2010 |accessdate=25 June 2010 }}</ref> | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 05:11, 30 August 2010
| Shen Yun | |||||||
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| File:Logo-shenyun.pngCompany logo | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 神韻藝術團 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 神韵艺术团 | ||||||
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Shen Yun Performing Arts, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, is a performing arts and entertainment company based in New York City. It performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance.
Founded in 2006, the Shen Yun troupe is often associated with the Falun Gong spiritual practice, and performances around the world are hosted by local Falun Dafa Associations. The show has been praised by Broadway critic Richard Connema, and criticised in The Guardian and other newspapers as promoting Falun Gong without saying so explicitly enough.
Content
Shen Yun shows feature traditional Chinese dance and song. A January 2010 seven-show run of Shen Yun at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, DC, consisted of twenty-two vignettes with colorful costumes, dancing, and "thrilling operatic singing." The 2008 shows in Denver were composed of sixty dancers, singers and musicians, though the size of each company varies. According to the company, traditional Chinese culture is a major source of inspiration. The 2007 shows in San Francisco contained sixteen different acts, exhibiting the same inspiration: Imperial-style dances in high platform shoes, drum dances, folk dances and Chinese martial arts displays. The acts are presented in both Chinese and the local language. Each act is accompanied by a full-width projected backdrop, that provided animation of "mountain scenes with snow, village scenes with rising smoke, countryside landscapes, and palaces."
Shen Yun enacts three distinct forms of Chinese dance in its performances: classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance (for instance, dances of China's Dai and Mongolian ethnic minorities), and story-based dance, presenting classic Chinese stories such as the legend of Mulan.
Aside from the dance pieces, a live orchestra of Chinese and Western instruments adds a nostalgic counter-melody. The songs are in Chinese, but the lyrics, both in Chinese and the local language where the performance is being held, are projected onto a stage-spanning backdrop revealing the performances' themes, "dealing often with historical movements and their devoted disciples."
Show names
Initially the shows were titled "Chinese Spectacular", "Holiday Wonders", and "Divine Performing Arts", but now the company mostly performs under its own name "Shen Yun".
International touring
The group is composed of three performing arts companies: The New York Company, The Touring Company, and the International Company, which typically tour different parts of the world consecutively. Each year the Shen Yun Performing Arts show tours several countries, performing across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia. Shen Yun's shows have been staged in several leading stages, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall, London’s Royal Festival Hall, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, and Paris’ Le Palais de Congrès The Chinese embassy in the United States accused NTDTV and Shen Yun Performing Arts of being used to "spread anti-China propaganda" and "distorting Chinese culture".
In late January 2010, the government of Hong Kong refused entry visas for members of the production crew for the troupe's performances scheduled between 27 and 31 January, saying that "work visas were considered case by case", and said the applicant generally had to offer expertise not easily found locally; the troupe cancelled the performances which it claimed to have been sold out. Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho said the denial of the visas was a worrying new erosion of Hong Kong's freedoms, and damaged the reputation of Hong Kong as a liberal and open society.
Reception
The San Francisco Chronicle, Denver Post and San Francisco Bay Times billed the show positively, the Chronicle exploring scenes in the performance depicting Falun Gong. Richard Connema, San Francisco critic for Talkin' Broadway, was interviewed by the Falun Gong-affiliated NTDTV and described the Shen Yun performance as "absolutely fantastic," and gave it five stars. Opera Online described one performance as "simply astounding to watch and a pleasure to the ear."
Other reviewers have said that past Shen Yun shows were not advertised explicitly enough as being inspired by Falun Gong philosophy, yet contained scenes depicting the persecution of its practitioners in China: a heavily critical piece in The New York Times in 2008 raised these objections about allegedly misleading promotion; while similar opinions were put forward by the Daily Telegraph, the Toronto Star, and The Guardian. The Telegraph's reviewer described the "politically motivated" content as "propaganda as entertainment," while the others echoed those sentiments. A reviewer of the Buffalo News also argued that the show misrepresented itself in its promotion efforts. A local dance expert responded to the negative review, arguing that he had "missed the entire point and theme of the performance," and asserting that "it is the job of an artist to communicate thoughts and ideas."
See also
References
- "Mission". Retrieved 15 November 2009. The Mission statement of Shen Yun Performing Arts
- ^ Wesnousky, Jennifer (16 February 2007). "NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular". Explore Dance. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- ^ "International Incident". The Pacific Northwest Inlander. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
- ^ Hunt, Mary Ellen (4 January 2009). "Chinese New Year Spectacular in S.F., Cupertino". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
- ^ Wenzel, John (1 October 2007). "Chinese New Year embracing tradition". The Denver Post. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- ^ "Theater Critic Calls DPA 'Mind-Blowing'". The Epoch Times. 10 January 2009.
- ^ Mackrell, Judith (25 February 2008). "Dance review: Shen Yun Royal Festival Hall, London". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
- ^ Crompton, Sue (25 February 2008). "Shen Yun: Propaganda as entertainment". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
- ^ Susan Walker (Falun) Gong New Year event mere propaganda, The Toronto Star, 20 January 2008
- Sparacino, Micaele (19 January 2010). "Deities, Dragons, Dancers, and Divas". Concertonet.com. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
- ^ Goodwyn, Albert (11 January 2007). "Chinese New Year Spectacular". San Francisco Bay Times. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- Higgins, Beau (15 November 2007). "'Holiday Wonders' Chinese Meets West Extravaganza". Broadway World. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- "Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World tour special coverage". Epoch Times. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- "Enjoy the Holidays and Stay away from the so-called "Chinese New Year Gala" of the New Tang Dynasty Television". Chinese Embassy in the United States of America. 7 January 2008.
- Falungong decries HK as democracy row deepens, SinChew.com 27 January 2010 (AFP)
- "Boston welcomes Year of the Dog with Gala multi-cultural celebration at Cutler Majestic". Opera Online. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
- Konigsberg, Eric (6 February 2008). "A Glimpse of Chinese Culture That Some Find Hard to Watch". The New York Times.
- Dabkowski, Colin (30 May 2010). "Song & dance spectacular not exactly what it seems". Buffalo News. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
- Skora, Cathy (28 May 2010). "Shen Yun a Universal Theme (a reader responds)". Buffalo News. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
External links
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