[Photo provided to China Daily]

The reason he came to Beijing was because his idols－drama director Meng Jinghui and Chinese movie actress Gong Li－were both earlier graduates of CAD.

The Chinese capital's long tradition of drama also kept Gan from leaving the city.

In 2006, he translated the script of Emily of Emerald Hill and staged the monodrama for the first time at CAD as his main degree project.

"Besides introducing the culture of Nyonya, I also wanted more audiences to enjoy monodrama, which is not so popular in China," says Gan, who has been associated with more than 40 theatrical works, such as musicals, operas and dramas since he graduated in 2006.

In 2010, he obtained his doctoral degree in theater and Chinese traditional opera.

In the latest stage version, Ren, 35, plays Emily of different ages－between 14 and 80. The actress, who has already worked with Gan on some 10 plays since 2008, says that Emily has so far been the most challenging role for her.

"I didn't feel nervous when I took the job since I trusted Gan. But when I stood on the stage (during a rehearsal), facing 500 empty seats alone, I was scared, ... the questions in my head was, 'How would I manage to make people sit there and watch the play for two hours all by myself?'" Ren says.

When she finished the first performance, she felt like she was dying, Ren says. But it's also one of the most rewarding roles she has played.

"One great thing is that I learned to appreciate my mother. I want to know more about her as a bride, as a wife and what she went through," Ren says.

"Although this is a one-person play, there's always some interaction with the audiences. They are Emily's friends, who listen to her life story."

If you go

7:30 pm, Wednesday-Sunday. Qing Lan Theater, 3F of Qing Lan Plaza, 24 Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 400-610-3721.