Dance
Shadow Performers Do Tribute To Earth On 'Asia's Got Talent'
Their choreography was so seamless but the message was even more powerful.
Ryan Aliapoulios
09.16.19

Although most of us are only familiar with America’s Got Talent, it’s actually an international franchise.

Though the same can be said for all kinds of reality shows, the Got Talent franchise’s international versions are actually pretty spectacular. Unlike so many other competition shows, this one showcases more than just your usual singing and dancing talent.

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Instead, contestants from anywhere in the world of virtually any age and talent can perform—they just have to keep the audience entertained to make it through to the next round!

As a result of this set up, the show sees some pretty incredible performances… and this is one of them.

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The audition we’re talking about took place in the finales of Asia’s Got Talent’s first season in 2015.

The group performing was called El Gamma Penumbra, a Filipino shadow play group that had made it all the way through the show with their impressive performances.

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For those who don’t know, shadow play involves a bunch of performers playing with light to project their shadows and “act out” some kind of interpretive story. Though it’s a little like interpretive dance, there’s also a unique visual element to it.

The final performance they did was a tribute to planet Earth.

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As the show started, the image of two giant hands opening around the Earth was visible onscreen.

After that, the hands transformed back into a group of players. After that, the stage actors split apart and rolled to different parts of the stage.

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Next, they transform magically into a bull and the audience goes wild! Before long, a sniper scope appears on the screen—someone is trying to hunt the animals. Next, the group transforms into a rhino and a hunter takes it down.

By this point, the judges can’t even believe what they’re seeing—but the performance isn’t over.

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Next, the actors transform themselves into a boat.

Then they transform into sea creatures. After that, they become a car! Although all the shadow images are impressive in themselves, what’s most impressive is how many transitions they pull off and how smoothly they move between each one.

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The entire time, the audience is howling and cheering along with them as they perform. As the story continues, it warns about the dangers of flooding and global warming.

But the most amazing images are saved for the end.

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After listing all the dangers of climate change and damage to the environment, the group turns to a hopeful note.

There’s an image of God’s hand coming down and replenishing the Earth. After that, a new group of people springs up to take care for the plants and to respect the planet.

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Finally, a giant tree blooms that the people seem to worship—and out of the front, a woman’s face forms! When it’s all over, the judges and the audience gives the group a huge standing ovation.

So far, the clip has earned itself some 27 million views online and it’s easy to see why.

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Before long, the judges are giving their feedback and saying how impressive it all was.

Almost immediately, everyone says they loved it so much—and the performers are in tears hearing all the feedback. Although the shadow play is an unusual form, this group is showing just how awesome it is and how much possibility it has.

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Although their choreography itself was incredible, it was their heartfelt message that truly won the room over.

Congratulations to El Gamma Penumbra on their incredible performance! Be sure to watch the whole thing in the clip below:

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