Opera troupes struggle to avoid final curtain

Lack of performers, falling interest and limited funding pose threat to future of county companies

Opera performer Zhang Fanghua retired from a troupe in Heibei province three years ago when she reached the age of 50 - but she is working harder than ever.

She continues to appear in productions staged by the troupe, which specializes in the regional genre known as Hebei Bangzi Opera, even though the fact she is retired means she receives no salary.