Chinese Elderly Art Group Presents Show in London

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By Mu Xuequan, Chinaview

March 31, 2008

United Kingdom

The Chinese Elderly Art Group staged an eye-opening show at the Queen's Theatre in central London on Sunday night, leaving audiences with a lot to marvel about. 

"They are so beautiful and graceful," said a British social worker also in her 60s. "I can't believe what the papers said about China seeing these people of my generation performing happily in such style," she added. 

The visiting Chinese Elderly Art Group composed of people over 65 in age presented a colorful show mixing traditional Chinese culture with modern dance and music. 

Catwalk shows and dances for ladies in their 60s and 70s as well as Sichuan face transfiguration, Chinese oboe solo and shadow show dance brought rounds of applause from the audience, who were stunned by the energy and artistic skills of the 40 plus Chinese performers. One can hardly believe performances by aged people could be so popular. 

Formed 5 years ago, the Chinese Elderly Art Group has performed to great reviews worldwide including Sydney, Melbourne, Paris and Taiwan. The group was brought together to champion values such as respect and support for the elderly, as well as promoting harmony between the generations. The group's world-class abilities are widely regarded as an exemplar in China which counts over 130 million older people. 

The finale of the 90-minute show entitled 'East meets West' is a joint performance of "My generation", with British and Chinese artists performing an exclusive version of the UK hit rock & roll together. 

Launched in 2007, The UK Zimmers are thought to have the oldest members in the world and was formed to give a voice to the feelings of isolation and imprisonment suffered by the elderly. Their first single, a cover of The Who's "My Generation," was recorded in the legendary Beatles Studio 2 at Abbey Road and was a huge success on the UK top 40 single chart, peaking at No. 26. The video of the song became a cult hit on the Internet, with over 4.4million people watching it on Internet sites including YouTube. 

"'My Generation' is a song made in 1960s for the then young people. We choose it to show how the aged people could still be energetic," said Alf Carretta, the lead singer of the Zimmers who will turn 91 on Monday. 

It is the first time the two unfamous dance groups shared a London stage and their enthusiasm for life, said Christine Yau, chairwoman of the Chinese Community Center, which has invited the Art Group to London. 

"This year the celebration of Chinese culture in Britain centers mostly around Olympics, with young people as the major participants. I think the old people should not be forgotten, hence the idea of inviting the Chinese Elderly Art Group over to Britain. It's a wonderful night and very moving too," she noted.

The special performance is part of the "China in London" cultural season and marks the unique collaboration between Eastern and Western Culture. 

The show is one of the highlights of the events happening across London for this year's China in London season. Now in its third successful year the two-month season kicked off with the Chinese lantern lighting ceremony at Oxford Circus and the Chinese New Year celebrations and includes events at cultural institutions, galleries, museums and visitor attractions. 

China in London aims to give Londoners the opportunity to discover more about the breadth of Chinese culture and traditions and to engage businesses and creative organizations in China.

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