The story that never ends

Since then, she has portrayed Molly more than 100 times. The role has followed her from student life into adulthood, through personal milestones and changing perspectives. Looking back, she sees the play as something that has quietly accompanied her through the years.

"After performing it for so long, it's become part of my life," she says. "There are some roles you finish and leave behind. Molly isn't one of them."

In To Be Continued, Death tells Molly her time is up, but she must find one thing that's worth the most to her to take with her.

It is a question that Xu has repeatedly asked herself. "If you could take only one thing with you when you leave this world, what would it be?"

"I've thought about that question many times," she says. "I don't think I would take anything that belongs to someone else, or anyone whose absence would affect another person."