Shen Yun 2016 Performing Arts in Melbourne

I had the joy of attending the afternoon session for Shen Yun 2016 Performing Arts at Melbourne Arts Centre on 21st February in the city. It was also the 2nd last day of Chinese New Year so everywhere was packed. I went to Glen Waverley for the morning session after seeing some lion and dragon dance performances at noon, off I had my lunch and went off to Arts Centre. Place was packed with audience of all ages. The show started sharp at 2.00pm with lights dimmed, full orchestra and the conductor started his act.

Dances were improvised all over the years since Shen Yun performance had started a while ago. The costumes and head gears were beautiful...dancers were elegant and graceful. I must say the divine stage of where Buddha and his disciples were a bit funny as their head were all covered in blue silicone cap...that makes it weird as Buddha doesn't have a blue head. Ha ha! Though I was seated on the Circles (door 4), I had a good view from the top. The Manchurian dynasty dance was nice with dancers wearing the heel shoes and twirling in various steps. There was also the famous folklore of the Lady of the Moon- Chang-Er and her beloved archer love story. 

I was kind of hoping for Mulan story or Romance of the Three Kingdoms story...but none! :(

The drum and acrobatic dance by the male performers were awesome as they spun many rounds without feeling dizzy, acrobats and flipping around the stage. The music from the orchestra made it even better with the skin drums they were beating to.

Of course everyone had a 15 minute intermission to stretch the legs and restrooms while the dancers rest to prepare the 2nd round.

We were treated to opening of fairies of the sea- blue costumes, wavy fans with dry ice smoke filling the entire stage to look like a vast blue sea. Beautiful as I would say...the female dancers were graceful and made it look real. There was the Monkey King act where he travels to the bottom of the sea to seek the Dragon King for a weapon.

The most annoying part are the 2 emcees popping out every now and then to explain the next performance. They were really NOT necessary to appear as they were boring as ever as it could be announced behind the black screen without wasting any time.ALSO, too much promotion on the Falun Dafa thing...some organization in China which was banned by the government and resulted them to be arrested by police. They were trying to promote heavily this religion or some cult throughout the performance which spoils the beautiful dances.

Audience were treated to two pieces of sopranos- AGAIN singing some Falun Dafa thing and some of the elders were dozing off during that event. I was catching up some nap too.
The other musical piece played on the 2-string instrument Er-hu was pretty catching though the music was sad when it's played with the background of the grand piano.

Photography or any video filming is strictly prohibited so we were not allowed to take any photos during the performance and also the curtain call (wish i could sneak a pic during the end but there was security every corner.) 

I'd rate it 3.5 stars out of 5.
Music pieces were beautiful with western and Chinese instruments combined.
Dance was perfect, spot on with Chinese cultural dance and acrobats.
Costumes were beautiful, background graphics were a bit funny at times.
Falun Dafa thingy- should be limited to a certain extent.