Street scenes

Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year who come to see its well-preserved old quarters, which boast a history spanning more than 2,700 years.

Rather than watching the show from their seats, audiences walk around the theater, which has been renovated to look like the ancient town. They go wherever they like and talk to whomever they wish.

"It's an experiment in mixing up space," Wang says.

"It's interesting for the audiences to interact with the performers. They have a more vivid experience because they're walking during the show."

There were comparable shows in the West decades ago, she explains, but few became regular performances.

"I'm nervous about whether you'll like my bold exploration and whether people can understand such a complicated story about family bloodlines in a casual environment," she says.

The plot centers on Pingyao exchange shop owner Zhao Yishuo, who spent all of his money to save the son of his subordinate in Russia.

Zhao and 232 armed escorts die seven years later, but the son returns to carry on the family's bloodline. Ultimately, the show is about the kindness and loyalty of Pingyao's people.