NOTES ON CHIUCHOW OPERA
73
may later increase his bid to several thousands of dollars, because the people are convinced that a god who is powerful (for whom it is worthwhile to give such a lavish celebration) will ensure the bidder good fortune so that he can pay his debt the next year. And because many people become rich in this way it is possible to collect the large sums of money necessary to cover the cost of these on-going festivals.
The community proves its wealth by inviting, if it can, the best and most costly operatic troupe. This is now the Sang Ngai Chiuchow Opera troupe (founded in 1965) which charges a fee of up to 20,000 HK$ per evening. The troupe consists of about 80 members, which include 20 musicians, 40 actors, stage-hands, a costume-keeper, hair-dresser, art-director, designer, manager, coolies and a cook.
OZTUKI CORTEN
TABLE 2
PROVI
START OF
W.C.
The Chiuchow Opera stage and 'p'o-t'an' ceremony.
The size of the stage depends on circumstances and forms a square, including its backstage which is only accessible by climbing up a ladder where the troupe's kitchen is. On the morning of the first performance the coolies carry the 20-40 big wooden trunks on a bamboo pole up the ladder and then they are all put in their right position backstage. Those with the musical instruments go left and right of stage; those with hats and small props are lined up at the
NOTES ON CHIUCHOW OPERA
73
may later increase his bid to several thousands of dollars, because the people are convinced that a god who is powerful (for whom it is worthwhile to give such a lavish celebration) will ensure the bidder good fortune so that he can pay his debt the next year. And because many people become rich in this way it is possible to collect the large sums of money necessary to cover the cost of these on- going festivals.
The community proves its wealth by inviting, if it can, the best and most costly operatic troupe. This is now the Sang Ngai Chiu- chow Opera troupe
(founded in 1965) which charges
a fee of up to 20,000 HK$ per evening. The troupe consists of about 80 members, which include 20 musicians, 40 actors, stage-hands, a costume-keeper, hair-dresser. art-director, designer, manager, coolies and a cook.
OZTUKI CORTEN
TABLE 2
PROVI
START OF
W.C.
The Chiuchow Opera stage and 'p'o-t'an' ceremony.
The size of the stage depends on circumstances and forms a square, including its backstage which is only accessible by climbing up a ladder where the troupe's kitchen is. On the morning of the first performance the coolies carry the 20-40 big wooden trunks on a bamboo pole up the ladder and then they are all put in their right position backstage. Those with the musical instruments go left and right of stage; those with hats and small props are lined up at the
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.