A Chinese lady sitting in the audience at Saturday's Australian premier of New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV) 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular in Brisbane was surprised to see that a large portion of audience in the packed theatre were Westerners. She didn't think that so many westerners would be interested in the Chinese performing arts.

In the past, perhaps Australians may have been more parochial, but the large Western audience could not have been more delighted with the diversity, beauty and richness of the show which took audiences through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties of China's 5000 year history.

John Packer, an architect in Kurwongbah, attended the Spectacular with four family members. Mr Packer said the performances were amazing and very different to what he had seen in China when visiting his son, who lives in Beijing with his Chinese wife.

All the family members enjoyed the erhu (Chinese violin) and, in particular, the range of notes that were able to be reached. The range of costumes had also impressed him.

"All the costumes were sensational, very different, intricate in design, and representing different regions of China," Mr Packer explained.

The performance "Resounding Drums", the colourful ribbon dance in "Rainbows" and "Ladies of the Manchu Court" were also popular among Mr Packer's group, although all agreed it was hard to pick out the best.

Mr Packer said that the performance depicting the persecution of Falun Gong, "To the Rightful Place", was very well done and that it was a story that needed to be told. He said his daughter-in-law would have loved to have seen the show, but unfortunately the Spectacular will not be performing in mainland China.

Natalie Smith from Sunnybank Hills, a receptionist for a marketing firm, was there with her friends who all spoke enthusiastically about the show.

"It's very interesting, very cultured," Natalie said, "the costumes are fantastic – so bright, colourful."

"I love it when they flow and when they spin its like woosh…it's gorgeous," Ms Smith explained.

It was hard to pick out one favourite performance, but Ms Smith mentioned the "Mongolian Bowl Dance". During a traditional Mongolian feast, the climax comes when hosts and guests dance with bowls ever-so-carefully balanced atop their heads.

"I was amazed that nothing fell. And when they took them off and it was three, it was 'wow!' and they were spinning," Ms Smith said.

The striking blue and white of the costumes also caught her eye. "I just think the colour of the costumes has so much to do with the power of each song."

Although Ms Smith was excited about the show, she said seeing it made her feel calm. "It gives you a nice vibe, makes you feel very peaceful and very relaxing."

"I think at the beginning when the commentators explain it, that's a good way of bringing the audience into the music and into the culture of it, because it's hard to know the background without that explanation to begin with, but the music is just so powerful that as you are watching it, it just explains it, the movement and the dancing.

"I would definitely come back. I've never seen anything like this before…it's quite an experience, it's very interesting."

Peter Hooper, solicitor from Brisbane, came along with his partner Christine. Peter said his favourite performance was the one with the warriors, the "Loyalty of Yue Fei". Set in the 12th century, Yue Fei is one of China's most famous generals of all times. It is said that as a young man his mother tattooed four Chinese characters on his back in preparation for battle, which read "serve the country loyally".

Mr Hooper mentioned that he was somewhat unfamiliar with Chinese history and culture, and the show was really good. He was not disappointed by what he had seen and would absolutely come back to see it again.

The gift of the Spectacular performance to the Brisbane people will without doubt change the way they view the world.

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. )