For the love of Lao She

There is also Wu Taiji, whose wife is angry about Wu taking a concubine. In the end, she decides to grin and bear it, because she knows that if she gets divorced, she will lose her long-term "meal ticket".

"Lao She's works are considered classics because they have the power to transcend time and space. When I read Divorce, which was published 90 years ago, I still feel a connection," says Fang. "The ideas and feelings of people about marriage, society and human nature portrayed by Lao She still resonate today. That's why I want to bring it to the stage and give it a new lease of life."

Actor Guo plays the role of Lao Li. He says that, when Fang decided to adapt Divorce into a play, he was very intrigued because it's a great challenge for two actors to play so many characters, including female roles.

"When I saw the stage set, I totally got it. It is abstract, leaving space for the audience to imagine," says Guo.