Canberra Impressed by Traditional Chinese Performance

By Victoria Clark and Caroline Lam/Epoch Times Australia Staff
March 21, 2007

Culture wind in the grass land, Chinese culture sweeps into Canberra. (The Epoch Times)

What do Mongolia, Manchuria, Tibet, China and the ACT have in common? In a few words – the Canberra Theatre and New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV) Chinese Spectacular show, which provided an unprecedented cultural presence in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on March 21–22.

This world-class show not only travels through different time periods but has an eclectic mix of Chinese culture. The audience "ooh-ed" and "ahh-ed" throughout the show, people were agape with admiration, heads remained tilted and children sat silently with upright postures.

Radio 2CA Marketing Manager Peter Starun, also a media partner of the international performance, said he had been inundated with positive responses from Tuesday night's premiere show in Canberra. Listeners, he said, were pleading for tickets to Wednesday's sold-out performance, the final show in Australia's capital city. Mr Starun said he had been touched by Canberra's community support for the performance, as locals were usually quite selective.

Sarah Hitchcock, Australian Capital Tourism Acting General Manager, expressed her thanks to the organizers and invited them to experience the Australian capital during their stay.

"Thank you for bringing what is renowned as a magnificent show to Canberra," she said. "We do hope while you are here you will be able to spend some time exploring our beautiful city and discovering some of our 'Australian Story' shown through our great tourist attractions and world-class visitor experiences and would like to wish you every success for your tour of Australia.” 

Sarah Hitchcock, Australian Capital Tourism Acting General Manager. (Australian Capital Tourism)

"Thank you for bringing what is renowned as a magnificent show to Canberra," said Sarah Hitchcock, Australian Capital Tourism Acting General Manager. (Australian Capital Tourism)

Wilson Tuckey MP, outspoken Liberal Party member for the Electoral Division of O'Connor in Western Australia, said "I have heard so much about the show and knew I was going to enjoy the show with all the information flying around the place. I was most impressed."

Praise after praise, the Spectacular has created a lasting impression on the capital of Australia, its politicians and the people. Without a doubt the heart of the country has been touched by the sensitive portrayal of China's 5000 year's history.