Now in his 60s, retired National Theater of China actor Ma Yingchun has made his directorial debut with the theatrical drama To the Elderly with Love, which as it title suggests focuses on the lives of the elderly in China.

Running from Oct 11 to 15 at Beijing's West Theater, the drama, written by Ma, tells the story of a retired forest keeper, Kang Qingsong, who comes to Beijing to visit his son. However, Kang's arrival stirs conflict with his son, who is married and lives with his wife's parents.

"I am a retired actor and I have many friends of my age. I've know their stories firsthand, such as loneliness, a gradual loss of connection with the current society and their distance from their children, even a struggle to survive," says Ma.