According to Gu Haohao, director of the Shanghai troupe, the two artists rarely perform these days.

"They first went on stage in their early 20s. This show means a lot to them. They were willing to return because of the memories of working with the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe," says Gu.

Fifteen Strings of Coins has been performed more than 1,500 times in the past six decades by different Chinese troupes, she says.

"Nowadays, we still face the challenge of reviving the Kunqu Opera. This show with the three troupes may help with that," says Gu.

The youngest performer in the new production is 14-year-old Zhang Tangxiao, who is a fifth generation actor from the Zhejiang troupe.

Zhang Shizheng says: "She will play a minor role in the show just like I did 60 years ago. But I believe the experience will leave her with a great memory. When the show celebrates its 100th anniversary, actors of the older generations will be gone, but I hope she will be in that show then."

If you go

7:30 pm, May 12. Chang'an Grand Theater, 7 Jianguomennei Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6510-1310.