Peking Opera, a centuries-old art form which combines music, dance and vocal performances, traditionally has a more loyal fan base among seniors than the younger generations. But Wang Peiyu, a renowned female performer who specialized in playing Laosheng, an old male roles on stage, is trying to change that, attracting more young people to the traditional art through unconventional methods.

This is not the conventional Peking Opera performance you would expect to see in a theater. It's played out in a small salon concert, with singing and musical performances, as well as explanations and anecdotes of the Peking Opera.

A performer of one of the oldest art forms, Wang says she always wants to perform for a knowledgeable audience.

"In these modern times, the artistic environment for the Peking Opera is not favorable. And just like other traditional art forms, it faces big challenges from pop art forms and pop culture. Under such circumstances, Peking Opera performers must produce some unconventional and excellent shows to lure in audiences," Wang says.

Peking Opera's essence cannot be changed, but the way one performs it certainly can. In January 2010, Wang produced the stage show "Wupenji”, which combined Peking Opera with other two traditional art forms, Cross Talk and Storytelling. When the blended show made its debut at the Beijing Exhibition Theater, it was a huge hit. 

"It was a full house at the theater which has more than 2,000 seats. At that moment, I was amazed by the charm and influence of traditional arts. And I believe audiences felt the same way," Wang says. 

The success of "Wupenji" gave Wang the confidence to continue with her creations. She later reproduced "Orphan of the Zhao Family", one of the major classics of Peking Opera. It recorded the highest box office by a Peking Opera show at the Shanghai Grand Theater in 2012. 

With the classic repertoire, “Yang Silang Visits His Mother" or "Si Lang Tan Mu", she surprised everybody by summoning a guitarist onto the stage. 

"Peking Opera in its heyday was actually the most trendy and innovative art form of the time. Some classics -- including "Orphan of the Zhao Family", "Farewell My Concubine" and "Legend of the White Snake" -- were all innovative shows a hundred or two hundred years ago. So I think today we also need to introduce fresh elements into the art while retaining its traditional core," Wang Peiyu says.

Her creativity is not limited to the stage, however. 

Now in her late 30's, Wang has spent a lot of time promoting the traditional art form in her own way. She has taken to the silver screen, voicing the role of Meng Xiaodong starring Zhang Ziyi in Chen Kaige's film, Mei Lanfang. Wang has also appeared on hit TV shows and popular Internet shows. She even has a personal channel specializing in teaching the ABC's of Peking Opera online.

Wang has built quite a fan base as well. But her ultimate goal, she says, is to broaden the appeal of Peking Opera, and develop it for the younger generation.