FRANKFURT—Lutz Woellert, a public relations consultant from Hamburg, said the Shen Yun Chinese Spectacular gives audiences an insight into Chinese culture. He attended the show at Frankfurt's Century Hall on Saturday night.
"It is not a show with surprise effects or something that touches only the surface and is no more than skin deep," Mr. Woellert said.
"One is not a China expert once one has seen this [performance], but one receives really deep impressions of Chinese culture. One is taken by the hand and led slowly to an understanding, piece by piece."
"If one gets involved in this, one is more and more drawn into it. This is also true for the younger audience," he said.
He said the dances were beautiful and colorful.
"It is totally different from the Chinese State circus, where one sees totally crazy acrobatics after one gets there."
The dancers' movements and control impressed him.
"If one has only the slightest understanding about ballet, one will most likely not recognize the sophistication in these dances. It is quite subtle," he said.
"One barely recognizes what kind of body control is required; then, the movement is included into the move, which is very, very fascinating."
He enjoyed "Nymphs of the Sea" saying, "One comes to realize that this show actually brings something that one embraces. It is very personal."
Mr. Woellert's colleague, Mathias Meier, who also resides in Hamburg, said he was quite taken by the Masters of Ceremonies who explained each performance.
"I was mostly impressed the way the hosts explained about the names of Chinese relatives," he said.
"When the hosts asked the audience who believes in destiny and who doesn't, I remained aloof," Mr. Meier said laughing. "She [the hostess] is quite successful in her approach," said Woellert.
"On the one hand, one needs the hosts so that the new scenery can be put up on stage; and on the other hand, the hosts can bring the show closer to the audience."
Woellert said he thought the entire show was well done, including the thematic integration into the dance of the persecution of Falun Gong in China.
"It was done just right. The performance was truly well done and the audience was able to immerse itself in the stories," he said.
"At the end some people in the audience gave a standing ovation," added Mr. Meier. "The end of the show came too fast. The curtain closed and one was torn back into the real world."
"There really should have been an encore," said Mr. Woellert.
Performed by Divine Performing Arts on Tour, the Shen Yun Chinese Spectacular will play three shows in Frankfurt before continuing on to Berlin and Hamburg. For information about other Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: http://www.shenyun.eu/
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts tour. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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