Reviews

Silver Lining presents an untamable passion that is not simply expressed through narration or logic, as it is conveyed by the peculiar posture, strength, and movements of the dance. With the intensity of physical expressions, the dancers capture, adapt and record the trauma, sorrow, and warmth that is unique to the age of 29.

 Pema Tseden, film director

It is shocking… Silver Lining is like a breath of fresh air flowing into the heart during these endless and stifling days… It portrays the young people of the city, who are torn and struggling for survival, for a better tomorrow, and for love, presenting a film-like display of passion and confusion. The cramped-up space, the mattress like Noah's Ark, the grey and colorless walls, the mysterious and heavenly singing, the tossing and twisting of the body, the silent staring at each other, the wandering about in a daze, the rising of white balloons up in the air, all of these elements feature the most passionate and sincere artistic expression of the dancers, who are committed to their dance philosophy and their pursuit of dreams.

 Zhang Jiarui, film director

About Silver Lining

25, 26, 27, 28 — 29? We might have never thought about how youth just get by us too quickly. What does "29" mean? It may have just been an ordinary year of life, but because of the widely circulated "mantra" — becoming mature, yet we become confused, instead, we start to think: Maturity? How do become mature? Immaturity? Can we though? If we become mature, so what? At the age of 29, I am set to find, I am set to wander; at the age of 29, I have songs to sing, have words to say. On the way, I met a cat who thought he was a tiger, a chicken who believes he can fly, and a monkey who thought he was a grown-up.

Silver Lining is the first multimedia dance theatre choreographed and directed by director Chen Zihao. With the support from famous music producer Zhang Yadong from Mainland China as music director, popular dancer Li Yu and Zhu Fengwei, and visual design KINOi Qian YANG Studio (visual design studio commissioned for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing 2008/2022) in charge of visual image creation and production, the performance has come to fruition.

Credits

Choreographer/Director: Chen Zihao

Cast:

Tu Ling as A speechless illusionist

Zhu Fengwei as A cat that looks like a tiger

Li Yu as A chicken who believes he can fly

Chen Zihao as A monkey that doesn't want to become a grown-up

Zhao Li as Time

Presenter: Hu Lai

Music Director: Zhang Yadong

Visual/Costume Design/Graphic Design: Xie Xing

Dramaturgy: Liang Geluo

Technical Director/Light Design: Li Xin

Set Design: Zhang Kunpeng

Set Design Assistant: Zhang Ji

Composer: Lu Di

Multimedia Design: Yang Qian

Stage Managers: Wang Xingxing

Calligraphy: Cheng Tonggen

Photography: Shen Siyuan

About Chen Zihao

Chen Zihao is a young dancer and choreographer who graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy. He was Rehearsal Director of the Beijing Modern Dance Company (2015-2019). Chen has won several major awards, including the 36th International Choreographic Competition (2022, Hannover), Seoul International Dance Competition (2014), the 10th Lotus Awards Dance Competition (2017). His personal works include Silver Lining, Children of Stars.