BIRMINGHAM, UK—Michael Paul knows a thing or two about the martial arts tradition whereby the obedient disciple learns under the guidance of a wise master. So he was elated to see the Monkey King—a traditional Chinese martial arts superhero—leaping and tumbling onstage during a classical Chinese dance segment by Shen Yun Performing Arts in Birmingham on Friday.
“I’m a bit of a martial artist myself,” Paul, a consultant, said after the performance. “The concept of having the very wise, wise, wise teacher, is something that I can relate to. I think that is something that comes across as key to the story. [The] monkey learns, and then [the] monkey went away and helped people.”
Such ancient myths and morals are retold in fresh ways during Shen Yun performances, making them understandable to modern audience members on its global tours.
“I like the fact that [Shen Yun] actually told some of the stories in a very accessible way,” Paul said, adding that the Monkey King sparked memories of martial arts TV shows he’d seen years ago.
“I have been blown away,” he added. “I’ve been really impressed by what I have seen today.”
The ancient stories that Shen Yun retells are further enhanced by high-tech visual special effects during their performances. These include a state-of-the-art 3D-animated backdrop that transports audience members to the heavens, ancient palaces, or even under the sea.
But the more traditional visual artistry—the colors, costumes, and dancing—was what stood out most strongly for Charlotte Grimmett, a Birmingham business owner who teaches English online, and who saw the performance on Friday. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” she said.
“I’m learning a lot, and each little story is really interesting.”
Charlotte Grimmett at Shen Yun at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, UK, on Jan. 2, 2026. NTD
The dance company, which is based in New York, has a mission to revive the traditional, divinely inspired culture of China that was “almost lost” under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Their devotion to traditional culture is partly why Shen Yun isn’t allowed to perform in China today.
Ms. Grimmett said she was surprised when she heard this, but she soon found out why the company is banned in mainland China. The audience was told during the show that some Shen Yun dancers are American-born Chinese or expatriots who fled China to escape religious persecution. One piece depicted Falun Gong believers being attacked by agents of the CCP.
“I was a little bit taken aback,” Ms. Grimmett said. “It was something I didn’t know about, so, yes, I’m keen to learn more.”
Rohit Sujanani at a Shen Yun performance at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, on Jan. 2, 2026. NTD
Unlike in modern performances in China today, the spiritual content from ancient China is an important part of Shen Yun. The devotion to a higher power connected strongly with Rohit Sujanani, a company director who watched Shen Yun on Friday. “I loved it,” he said, adding that references to spiritual figures were a highlight for him.
“The reference of the flying monkey to the spiritual teacher, I loved that very much,” Mr. Sujanani said, adding that he wasn’t surprised that Shen Yun’s dancers are themselves spiritual believers. “The performance arts are a major, major expression of divine teachings.”
Reporting by NTD and Michael Wing.
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.