Spectacular Touchdown in Sydney
By Sonya Bryskine/Epoch Times Sydney Staff
Mar 26, 2007
Sydney, Australia's largest city and the business center of the country, is just days away from experiencing the show that will forever change its cultural landscape. Following a hugely successful tour throughout Australia and the world, NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular troop has arrived in Sydney today.
With over 60 performers and 40 staff, which include choreographers, artistic directors, technical support, lighting engineers and even the show's own MC, the Spectacular is said to be the largest cultural show staged outside of Mainland, not falling under any censorship.
The Spectacular comes to Sydney after sell-out performances in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra and Melbourne. Four shows will be held at the historic Capitol Theatre – one of the oldest and most opulent venues in Sydney, renown for its ornamented Baroque-style interior.
While speaking at Sydney's Domestic Airport upon arrival, one of the performers and tenor virtuoso Guan Guimin explained that Sydney-siders can expect to be pleasantly surprised.
"We are not only performing, we are also clearing away some deception people have about Chinese culture and Chinese people and values," said Mr Guan.
Through re-creating the long-lost myths and legends of ancient China, its values and divine roots, the show has been commonly described by the audience as "superb", "deeply spiritual" and "extraordinary".
Mr Guan says that the performers' ability to touch the audience comes from a careful coordination of dance, music, costumes and "purity of hearts".
Himself a renown opera singer in China and Hong Kong, he notes how the Spectacular is different to any other show he has taken part of due to its element of "selflessness".
Each performer from the Divine Performing Arts Troop – the driving force behind the show - cares little for fame, but rather carries a "deep responsibility" for the audience, he says.
The Spectacular has been touring the world since January and upon the completion of the tour some time next month would have touched over 30 cities, including Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and of course New York – the city of origin of the Divine Performing Arts troop.
Four shows are scheduled for Sydney between March 29-31. For more information visit www.capitoltheatre.com.au
