Law Lecturer Says Divine Performing Arts Dancers Are 'Very disciplined and very well trained'

LONDON—The Chinese New Year always revives an interest of Chinese culture in western people. The Chinese Spectacular is helping to quench this desire for thousands of people across the United Kingdom.

After listening to work colleagues enthusing about the show Debra Taylor, a law lecturer from Surrey, managed to secure three tickets. She surprised her husband and father by taking them to the Saturday nights sell-out show.

For her the highlight of the show was the dancing, particularly the "Mongolian Tea Dance". She said that the dancers were "very disciplined and very well trained"

Her husband Kevin was drawn to the energy of the drum troupe and the tranquillity of the water lily dance, "Forsythias in Spring". He described the experience as a "spiritual wave".

The couple said they were leaving the show feeling "very uplifted".

Cultural Parallels

It's unusual to hear a comparison between Chinese and African culture, but Oxford psychotherapist Daniel Forwour saw some key parallels between Chinese and African culture after the Spectacular on Saturday.

He said the three major components of the show: costumes, story telling and dancing, reminded him of his African roots.

"The joke he made [the Master of Ceremonies] about Chinese relations is also similar to Africa. We don't have clear cut definitions of family so everyone's called brother or sister, it's not clear cut."

After immersing himself in the culture of London's China town Mr. Forwour noticed how the bright colours seen there had been incorporated into the show.

When asked if had a favourite part, he said: "I think I have really enjoyed every bit so far. It's varied but it also has historical story telling background.

"I think the choreography, background and so on is very, very effective"

He said the trip from Oxford had been worth it.

For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit:
www.DivinePerformingArts.org.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese Spectacular. For our complete coverage please visit:
http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/