In recent years Melbourne is proud to have several times been voted "the world's most livable city" in an annual poll conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It comes as no surprise that the city on the River Yarra should be chosen to be one of the Australian hosts of NTDTV's 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular.
A major reason for Melbourne's success in that poll is the diversity of entertainment that the city has to offer. If audiences' reaction is anything to go by, the Spectacular has been a most popular addition to the list.
According to Ms Carla Steiner, managing director of Spiral Entertainment, stated that the "NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular] is art for the soul...with majestic regal performances, stunning breathtaking costumes." Ms Steiner also regarded the internationally acclaimed show as "a great induction into ancient Chinese Culture".
Around the world, Melbourne is probably most famous for sporting arenas such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena. What many people outside of Melbourne do not realise is that the city is an important cultural hub as well.
Some of Australia's best venues, including the Regent Theatre noted for its magnificent 35-rank Wurlitzer Organ, the largest and finest theatre organ outside of the USA, constantly feature high quality productions such as the Spectacular. With so many sporting occasions and a wide range of cultural events on offer there is always a lot of competition in the Victorian capital, but tonight it was "no contest".
Mr Irvan Dijon a Human Resources Manager commented that the performance is "very elegant".
"It's beautiful. I love it," Mr Dijon said. "Melbourne is a very culturally diverse place. Look at the people who are turning up. It's not just Chinese or Asian background people. It's a variety of people… So it's just amazing. It really brings out a lot of what Melbourne's all about."
Not surprisingly in this passionately pro-sports town, several athletes, former athletes and sports fans attended the show.
You might be forgiven for assuming that the sporting fraternity might have minimal interest in a presentation of traditional Chinese culture and spirituality. However, audiences' reaction following the show testified to the fact that the Spectacular is a show with something for everyone to enjoy.
Ms Bev Brock, former partner of the late Peter Brock, was present at the Friday night performance and commented that "It's quite an exquisite performance. They are such a genial fine delicate people, not like the Australians, who are quite heavy by comparison."
Ms Brock also said: "The costumes are heavenly and divine. With the dances, a feeling of lightness after watching the show take you into a surreal state. Everybody has an internal expression and that's what the dance is doing, living that expression, a state of belief — very impressive."
The Australian tour continues in Melbourne tomorrow moving to Sydney next week, with limited tickets available from selected outlets.
The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty TV and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular ( http://shows.ntdtv.com. )
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