(Minghui.org) As part of its 2026 worldwide tour, Shen Yun Performing Arts will present 52 shows in the UK. The artists performed to full houses during the more than 40 shows they’ve already presented and were greeted with warm applause.
Many audience members praised Shen Yun’s artistic level and profound culture, and some said they plan to see the show again next year.
Lord Mayor of Oxford: “Timeless Message About Selflessness”
Louise Upton, Lord Mayor of Oxford
“That was the most wonderful performance. And you send people away having had a fabulous afternoon, fabulous experience, and just really appreciative of the amount of training that they must have put into that,” said Louise Upton, Lord Mayor of Oxford, after seeing the show in Oxford on January 7. “You could see they were really enjoying it, and that makes the audience love it as well.
“It was joyful and lovely to hear the really different kind of instruments, the Chinese musical instruments that we’re not used to hearing. With a lovely backdrop of the more traditional sort of Western orchestra, but picking out the melodies with the traditional Chinese instruments was very special. Really interesting to hear,” she added.
“You can see that all the dancers function as one unit. Every movement was in sync ... Every hand movement was beautifully precise, calculated ... So that sense that they were all acting as one came through very clearly,” she explained. “You could see they’re smiling and enjoying it.”
The mayor commented that she thought the show was more than “entertainment,” that it was, “...a timeless message about selflessness … It actually sends you away thinking, ‘I think there are more good people in the world than bad.’ And that’s a good thing.”
Former London Borough Mayor: People Need to See This Show
Ramji Chauhan is the former mayor of the London Borough of Harrow
Ramji Chauhan, councillor and former mayor of the London Borough of Harrow, was in the audience at the opening performance in London on January 13. “People need to come and look at this show to see how unique and spectacular it is. It’s dance that’s not been shown in China,” he said. “They’ve come out to try and perform all over the world, to show people exactly what traditions have been lost. It’s different compared to any other show that I’ve seen.”
He felt the performers were very impressive, “They show all the skills that they’ve mastered.”
He agreed with Shen Yun’s mission, saying, “You should not lose history that tells stories about the past. Everyone has a right to perform wherever they want. Lack of freedom of speech—they’re going to lose their tradition and lose their faith and lose their history,” he said.
Mayor of Bournemouth: “A Very, Very Enjoyable Show”
Mayor Jackie Edwards
After seeing a Shen Yun performance in Bournemouth on January 29, City Mayor Jackie Edwards said, “What a magnificent show. The costumes the women wear are just absolutely fabulous,” she said.
“It was fascinating. And the background scenery—so clever the way they leapt in and out. That was really, really good. Yes, a very, very enjoyable show. I’m so glad I was able to come.”
The show gave her a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture: “They really love what they’re doing. I think they’re very proud of what they’re doing. And just lovely to see the culture, that they’re keeping that going, 5,000 years.”
The mayor commented that everyone could learn values from the show: “You treat people badly, you come off badly yourself. So I think it was a message there for everybody in modern day Britain as well.”
Llandudno Mayor: “We Need to Work Together in Harmony”
Mayor Antony Bertola
“It is absolutely superb in terms of choreography, the colors, the costumes, the movements, the fluidity, the orchestra and the combination, the timing of the music and the way the dancers move,” said Antony Bertola, Mayor of Llandudno after he watched the show on February 14.
Mayoress Carol Marubbi
“I think the techno side—the graphics—are fantastic,” Mayoress Carol Marubbi added. “The costumes are beautiful. There’s so much [vibrancy], the colors, and it tells the story, and it tells it so well, and I’ve just had a great afternoon. It’s wonderful.”
Mayor Bertola found the show thought-provoking. “I think that your destiny is there for us. If you’re a good person, then you’re going to get a good result about your life. And those who are bad and evil, they get their comeuppance, but they’re able to be forgiven and then understand that we need to work together in harmony,” he explained.
Mayor Bertola wrote a Letter of Commendation to Shen Yun Performing Arts
Two days later, he wrote a letter to the hosting organization in appreciation of the show’s great contribution. “For over five thousand years, China nurtured a vibrant spiritual and artistic civilization rooted in harmony between Heaven, Earth, and humanity. Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun brings this nearly lost heritage back to life, imparting universal values such as kindness, respect, integrity, and hope—values that deeply reflect and enrich the spirit of communities everywhere,” Mayor Bertola wrote.
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent: “Having a Moral Compass Is What We’re Really Talking About”
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, presented Shen Yun with a special recognition certificate at the conclusion of the performance on February 18.
Steve Watkins, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, saw the show at the Regent Theatre on the afternoon of February 18. He presented Shen Yun with a special recognition certificate to honor Shen Yun’s outstanding contribution to the city’s cultural life.
As an amateur musician, the mayor was especially impressed by the live orchestra’s perfect blending of traditional Chinese instruments with Western orchestral music. “Fantastic! To see that blending of traditional instruments with what could be seen as modern orchestral instruments is wonderful. It works seamlessly. It works so well,” he said.
He also found spiritual values in the performances and said they were, “Fascinating.” “What we talk about in this country as British values, you’ll find they’re everybody’s values,” he said. “Having a moral compass is what we’re really talking about, and I think that shows through in the ambitions of the show. It’s fantastic.”
Mayor of High Wycombe: “Really Appreciated by the Audience”
Mayor Majid Hussain
Majid Hussain, Mayor of High Wycombe, saw the show at the Wycombe Swan Theatre on February 21. “Absolutely amazing. I don’t know where they get the stamina from. I was sitting there and I was thinking they put on such a beautiful performance out there and they’re not even out of breath. It was done so beautifully, so amazing,” he said.
“That was very, very important—to bring out the old traditions and old culture [to show people], ‘This is what it was all about.’ It’s good to know that people still remember the old culture and old values.
“I hope it does come back again, because it was really appreciated by the audience and the people,” the mayor continued. “So I’m hoping to come here again next year to watch this.”
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