Amusing the Hungry Ghosts

Empty red chairs for the H.G.

These "hungry ghosts" are a demanding lot!  Not only do they require and receive a lot of food and incense, not to mention Guinness beer and other delectables, they also need to be entertained.  Some get girl singers in sparkly costumes and other modern acts.  But the ones around here are more high-class; they demand nightly presentations of Chinese operas based on old literature.  

Chinese opera musicians

Opera performers resting under the stage

       Those who do the performances might or might not be actual Chinese actors and musicians.  Some, I understand, are from Thailand or other countries in this area. The troupes are booked well in advance, and they move from stage to stage every few nights so as to provide variety for the local folks who attend.   As you can see from the photo here, they aren't very old, these entertainers, and they work pretty hard during the month-long season when they're employed every night.  They're certainly not prima donnas, either.  No fancy hotels or dressing rooms for them!  During the hot part of the day they while away the hours until practice and performance resting in hammocks slung under the very stage where they do their thing.  It's not very private, but at least it's in the shade.   However, they were very kind and came out to show us curious foreigners what they do and what their costumes are like.  "Gaudy" is the most appropriate word, I daresay!

Headgear for the opera performances

And when all is said and done, EVERYONE is exhausted, including the puppets!