'Something From Heaven'
New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV) 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular arrives in Australia
By James Burke
Epoch Times Australia Staff
Mar 17, 2007
The northeastern Australian state of Queensland is known for its easy going pace, natural wonders, and young character. The capital city, Brisbane, still considered by some as a big country town, is now a thriving multicultural metropolis of 1.7 million. However, the northern capital retains, a communal country feel that most will find endearing.
"People are a little closer to their true selves in Queensland—they haven't been caught up with the trappings of a hectic life," said Amanda Dowry, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Ms Dowry travelled to Brisbane's International airport on Friday March 16 to welcome performers from New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV), 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular, which commences the Australian leg of its world tour at Brisbane's Conservatorium Theatre March 17.
"I've been reading people's feedback… this is something special," she said.
"Something as divine and as ancient as this will touch everyone."
Ms Dowry was one of dozens of supporters, well-wishers and media who welcomed the 100 Spectacular performers and their support team, fresh from sell out seasons in North America, Europe and Japan.
The driving force behind The Spectacular is the Divine Performing Arts. Its mission is to explore and to rediscover the essence of true, traditional culture. It thus creates and performs pieces that centre primarily around classical themes and divinely-inspired culture. It aims to present to audiences works that express pure goodness and beauty.
Local Chinese will be thrilled to see Chinese born tenor Guimin Guan, who has lived in the US since 1996, but is honoured by Chinese people around the world as equivalent to Italy's Pavarotti. When asked what he thought Australians would enjoy from seeing The Spectacular Mr Guan said; "It will provide for Australia the divine culture—all the performances have been carefully selected. It is a totally new feeling and it is a totally unique experience which you would never see or feel anywhere else."
Part of the welcoming party was NTDTV's (Australia) President CY Wong.
"In my personal opinion, The Spectacular is an excellent production for Australia—especially for Brisbane and the Gold Coast," said Mr Wong.
"Sydney and Melbourne they have more cultural events—here it is not so many—so we are bringing more to Queensland," he explained.
"Last year there was one [NTDTV Chinese New Year Gala] show in Sydney—this year we will have 12 shows—after following Queensland the show will go to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney."
Via statement, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech welcomed the NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular shows for both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Mrs Keech said it was tremendous to see an international production of this calibre coming to Queensland.
"The NTDTV Chinese New year Spectacular involves over 100 performers and crew and it's wonderful for Queensland audiences to be able to experience the sights and sounds of the traditional Chinese dance and music," Mrs Keech said.
While tickets were sold out for the two Brisbane Spectacular shows, ticketing salesperson Ken Pan said "the lines were still running hot," with more people wanting tickets. He said "tickets were still available with a few left in the Gold Coast for Sunday and in the other cities [Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney] The Spectacular was going to visit."
As the performers filed through Brisbane airport making their way to waiting busses they were given welcoming flowers and gave interviews with the media.
A surprise for many was Mark Abbott, one of the few western artists on the tour. Mark, who has been with the show since its firs performance in San Francisco, is also Sunshine Coast born and raised.
Mark said he hoped that Australians would have a new appreciation for Chinese traditions, culture and history after experiencing the Spectacular.
"As a Westerner—I have learnt so much about Chinese culture—the depth of it—there's 5000 years of civilisation behind it," Mark said.
Mark is one of three Australian dancers performing in The Spectacular, Chinese born Australian nationals Xuejun Wang, and Vina Lee both play significant roles as choreographers and principal dancers.
After leaving the airport Vina Lee, in conjunction with Guimin Guan, spoke to audiences across Asia Pacific on a pre-organised Radio Australia interview. In her description of The Spectacular she told the interviewer; "The music, the dancing, the costumes and the movements—you are not just seeing something from this earth—you are seeing something from heaven."
