One of the main hosts of the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular is considering legal action against the New Zealand Herald, for publishing an article that contains mistruths and discredits the show.
The article written by Lincoln Tan: "VIPs again steering clear of Falun Gong-linked show" earlier this month, insinuated that no politicians attended the show in Auckland last year, as well as suggesting the same for this years show. The article is written in a tone that suggests an agenda to discredit the Spectacular and deter people from attending.
Spokesman for the show's co-host New Tang Dynasty Culture & Arts Exchange, Jay Zelaya, said the article not only defames the show but also gives the reader the impression that top people in New Zealand are staying away from the show. "Which they are not."
He said the article in the New Zealand Herald was so wrought with errors that it amounts to an "outright attack" on the show.
The Chinese Spectacular will perform in Auckland this Thursday April 17 through to Saturday April 19. Aucklanders will be among the 650,000 live audience members during the current season's tour of 65 cities across four continents.
Mr Zelaya said the New York-based performing arts show is a true representation of original, traditional Chinese performing arts and music.
"It is a multi-million dollar production that showcases the magnificence of the human spirit expressed in flawless dance, beautiful music, stunning costumes, and 3-D high-tech digital backdrops," he said.
"The author's knowledge of the show and surrounding issues is minuscule, at best," Mr Zelaya said.
"In fact, we had over forty VIPs attend last year's performance," he said, "and even more will be entertained this year."
Auckland VIP Did Not Needing "Convincing"
Auckland City Councillor Cathy Casey was compelled to write a letter of response after reading the Herald article last week.
"I corrected them for saying that not a single politician went, I told them that not only did I go but I am going again this year with my family."
She said she did not need to be "convinced" to attend the show last year, like the Herald article suggested.
"It is a high quality performance, that's why we are taking the kids—because Anna does dance and she loves the colour and the pageantry," she said.
Dr Casey said she was "quite amazed" by North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams' comments in the Herald article that he was afraid of being "ambushed".
"The fact is there is a media presence but you can easily say no, no comment, I am just here to see the show," she said.
North Shore City Mayor Spokesperson's Comments Misconstrued
The North Shore City Mayor's spokesperson, Roger Matthews, said Tan's article "did take a few liberties with what I said". He said he had told Tan the Mayor was unable to attend the show due to prior commitments.
Mr Matthews said he told Tan that there were occasions where groups approach Mayors and Councillors, "seeking what may or may not be innocent comments ... and then they publicise that as support for such events."
"I did not suggest that Divine Performing Arts was such an organisation," Mr Matthews said.
The North Shore City Mayor's office also received a letter from the Chinese Consulate last month essentially pressuring the Mayor to stay away from the show.
The letter took four paragraphs to defame and discredit the Chinese Spectacular and ended with: "Your understanding and friendship will be highly appreciated."
Malaysian Shows Blocked by Chinese Regime, Denmark Suddenly Cancelled
Tan's assertion that the show was banned in Malaysia and Denmark, is completely inaccurate.
The Chinese Spectacular was not banned in Denmark and in Malaysia, rather, it was "cancelled." The Malaysian government clearly stated that the cancellation was due to the Chinese Communist Party's opposition towards the show. The Danish Royal Theatre was not as forthcoming in revealing any interference from the regime and simply cancelled the show without any explanation.
Mr Zelaya said Tan promised to write a "balanced article" when he interviewed him. "But he wrote nothing of the sort. In fact, it looks like he wanted to slam our show from the title of the article to the last sentence."
Tan said he was writing a "clarification" article "to address some of the issues were raised in my first story". He denied an apology would accompany the article for the errors in his previous piece.
He said Green MP Keith Locke had also stood up in defence of the show.
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