Chinese New Year Spectacular 'A Healing Experience,' Says Former WHO Director

Sarah Ste-Marie says her eyesight seemed to have improved as she watched the Spectacular (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

As the Montreal run of the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular came to a close at Place des Arts on Thursday, satisfied theatre-goers praised the show for its portrayal of Chinese culture, both ancient and modern.

Jeannine Marsolais and Sarah Ste-Marie, both retired nurses, said they greatly appreciated the wide diversity the show offered.

"They covered different regions of China rather than just focusing on one ethnic group; they had the mongolian dance, and dances from the Tibetan and the Manchourian regions. I found the show to be varied and this variety helped us better understand China's diversity, in that it is not just one type of culture," said Marsolais.

Ste-Marie, who was the director for the World Health Organisation when she was stationed in Vietnam for five years, said she loved the Spectacular "for it's choreography, the simplicity of the costumes and the disciplined dance movements. In ballet and in western dance, there are usually duos, whereas here, large-scale group dances are featured," she said.

Ste-Marie said she noticed something unusual happening to her during the Spectacular. While she normally has weak vision, her eyesight seemed to improve as she watched the show, and she could see details vividly.

"It's extraordinary," she said. "There, I saw a forest, a mountain, a path at the end of the sea. The act with the long sleeves, the performers almost looked like white geese leaving Charlevoix, or the Gaspésie in autumn... and I could see the sea behind them, and I am short-sighted!" said Ste-Marie who was sitting well back from the stage.

As for China's repression of human rights portrayed in two of the acts, Mrs. Marsolais considered it fitting that the issue was covered in the show.

"From time to time, one will hear about the issue in the news. The Beijing Olympics are soon taking place, and the topic is becoming more talked about. However, it is as though they [Beijing regime] are ignoring the issue," she commented.

Since 2004, the Divine Performing Arts, the company that presents the Spectacular shows, has been staging the Spectacular in some of the world's most prestigious venues.

Thursday's performance was one of 20 shows in Canada. After Montreal, Divine Performing Arts will play five shows in Toronto before continuing its global tour, which includes an 11-day run at New York's famous Radio City Music Hall.

Epochtimes is Chinese New Year Spectacular's media partner.