China's First-ever Elderly-Themed Dancing Play to Hit Stage

A charity musical featuring a leading-role cast of seniors with an average age of around 60 is to set to hit the stage soon in Beijing. Above is the rehearse of the musical. [china.com.cn/Guo Yongguo]

A charity musical featuring a leading-role cast of seniors with an average age of around 60 is to set to hit the stage soon in Beijing.

The play, called The Red Dancing Shoes, is themed on the life of elderly people and aims not only to remind society of the importance of caring for the immense Chinese demographic but also offer the elderly people a chance to enjoy more fun and wellbeing.

Zhao Shuai, director of the production, explained that the show marks China's first-ever musical created for the elderly and also played primarily by the elderly in China since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Zhao, who volunteered to take on the bulk of the production's responsibility, found out about the musical from a mutual acquaintance of two cast members; a person with whom he had previously cooperated with in developing another play. He was touched by the two elderly performers as well as their other friends, by their love for dancing and their zest for life even in spite of not being viewed as young in people's eyes.

Zhao added, "Although these elderly people are not professional dancers, they have an enthusiastic love for art," which won them his respect. "They have touched me, and I am looking forward to working with them to produce a play that can reflect their life and also this new era of China."

With China entering a new era with significant portion of society entering its golden years, the elderly people's needs — especially their need for a fulfilling cultural life — have come to the forefront of more and more people's attention. With their musical efforts, Zhao and his troupe hope to encourage the State and many other social organizations to support the elderly through the development of more elderly-geared cultural activities, policy building, and financial support.

The performance, which will be open to the public with free admission, will be staged at the Music Hall of the Military Band of General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from January 27–29.
 
(Source: china.com.cn/ Translated and edited by Women of China)