Now, after touring the country for the past two years, the play returns to Beijing and is being staged at the Beijing People's Art Theatre through Aug 6.

"The three comedies by Ding showcase different stages of romance: young lovers, newlyweds and elderly couples," says Ban, who made his directorial debut in 2015.

"I have been married for nearly eight years, and when I read the three comedies with my wife, we both relate to them and want to share them with the audience.

"Ding's comedies are easy to understand and the plots are simple. So, watching his comedies, you get a wonderful taste that lingers," says Ban.

Ding, who was born in Taixing, in Jiangsu province, graduated from the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, with a master's degree in physics.

During his stay in the UK, Ding became interested in theater and started writing plays.

In 1919, after returning to China, Ding taught physics at Peking University, and from 1924 to 1926, he was the dean of the physics department there.