It is a show that is steeped in Chinese culture and history but it is not from China or performed there. But the New York-based Shen Yun Perfroming Arts production provides such spectacle and message of positivity that Vassilis Thodori has been a dedicated fan since it first came to Australia.

“When I saw the show in 2006, my first thought was how can I offer my support for the Greek community to come and see it, so I have been working as a volunteer to promote the show through the media, as well as my friends and family networks,” said Mr Thodori, the show’s number 1 fan and volunteer in Melbourne.

So much so that he has missed just two shows in the 14 years it has been performed here.

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“Every time I attend the show, I hear Greeks all around me and I think that maybe I have had a hand in bringing them to the production. I try my best,” he said.

There are more than 80 people who are involved in the production. Half are with the orchestra who perform using traditional Chinese and Western instruments and the other half are the dancers who spend up to eight hours a day in training for the performances.

“These people are the equivalent of Western ballet dancers. The show features 20 different dance pieces that represent different parts of China, its history, heritage and culture,” said Mr Thodoris.

“This show harks back to the real China and almost every piece reflects its ancient history in the same way that we Greeks remember and value our own ancient history. An MC introduces each segment of the show, so there is nothing that you can miss or fail to understand.”

Shen Yun (the Beauty of Divine Beings Dancing) was founded in New York by a group of Chinese Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) practitioners – a slow-moving exercise routine that is similar to taichi, combined with meditation and a moral philosophy focused on truth, compassion and tolerance. Members of the movement have been persecuted in People’s Republic of China since 1999.

The show is currently being shown at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney to March 22. It then moves to the Canberra Theatre for March 24 and 25; before coming to the Arts Centre from 27 March to 5 April.

To book for the Shen Yun production inSydney telephone: 1300 558 878 (Box Office) or 02-8988-5611 or email: info@fdnsw.org;  Canberra telephone (02) 6275 2700; Melbourne:  Call the Arts Centre Melbourne on 1300 182 183 or Tiketek on 1300 130 300 or email: tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au