The story that never ends

The play's structure mirrors its existential themes: minimalist and unadorned. Five actors portray multiple roles in a nearly empty space, with a cappella harmonies as the sole accompaniment. "It's deceptively simple," Huang notes. "The actors carry everything: emotions, pace, rhythm. Every gesture and every note counts."

Since its premiere in 2007, To Be Continued has drawn widespread attention, reaching a milestone 100th performance in 2012.

The play's early productions were shaped by practical constraints. Rehearsals lasted only 21 days, actors wore their own clothes on stage, and props were scavenged from storage boxes or fashioned from old jump ropes. The total budget was no more than 30,000 yuan ($4,434), much of it fronted by Huang himself. Yet, the simplicity became one of the production's hallmarks.

"Early critics called our stage design 'too poor'," Huang laughs. "Now, when the industry is flooded with extravagant sets and over-the-top effects, the authenticity of our modest stage is an advantage. It's like natural medicine compared to cosmetic surgery — it feels real."