This is the Odessa State Academical Theater of Music Comedy. Shen Yun Performing Arts was scheduled to hold a Chinese music and dance show here on Friday night, May 28—a show that's performed in some of the world's top theaters.

But a week ago, the theater suspended its agreement with Shen Yun—and some of the performers' travel visas to Ukraine were cancelled.

What's behind it? The Chinese Embassy, most likely. They'd issued a formal protest to Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking them to stop Shen Yun. So the Ministry sent its recommendation to Odessa's local government, telling them withdraw their approval—an approval that was necessary for Shen Yun to perform. And they did. So the theater had to suspend the contract.

[Alla Lavrinenko, Shen Yun Organizer for Odessa]:
"It turns out that the Chinese Communist Party is directing which art we can enjoy, which shows we can see, and which theaters we can go to."

Some of the dances in the show depict the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual group. That could be the main reason why the Chinese Embassy wants to stop the show here.

The show cancellation comes despite support from abroad. Members of the U.S. Congress and Vice-President of the European Parliament Edward McMillian-Scott had written to Ukraine officials earlier this month, urging them to let Shen Yun perform. Apparently, to no avail.

Disappointed ticketholders came to get a refund on Friday evening. Some were angry about the cancellation.

[Galina Knyazeva , Shen Yun Ticketholder]:
"I am deeply offended. I don't know who to be upset with over the cancellation of the show. Of course I would like the people responsible for the ban be held accountable before God and before the people."

[Sirofima Momonova, Shen Yun Ticketholder]:
"Where is our democracy? How can they do all this?"

One schoolteacher had brought her students to see the show.

[Liudmila Baltina, Shen Yun Ticketholder]:
"These children are disappointed and in tears. Today is their last day of school. There was such a celebration and the show would have been a gift."

Shen Yun was also cancelled in Moldova last week—also after pressure from the Chinese Embassy.

NTD contacted Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the theater in Odessa, and the Chinese Embassy. None of them would comment.

NTD News, Odessa, Ukraine.