Hong Kong Ghost Opera
Production Draft 11/29/02
By Darrias

Main Stage Show

Guests enter the Ghost Opera Theater through a giant circular doorway with sliding doors. Two guides dressed in traditional Chinese clothes, hats, and braids, slide open these doors and allow around 75 people at a time in “pulsed groups”. The guides direct the guests left or right around a wall just beyond the entrance. This wall is themed as a large carved wood Chinese screen. In the middle of the wall is a carved dragon in relief that duplicates the painted dragon on the circular doors. However this dragon has eyes that are carved in reverse relief (similar to Disney Haunted Mansion hall sculptures) so that they seem to follow the guest as they walk away.

The entry wall acts as a light block so the main stage room is dark and cool. Once in this room the guest can see a huge Chinese lantern hanging in the middle of a circular drop ceiling with sculpted dragons in relief around the center. The swirling lights in the drop ceiling soffit circle about the sculpted relief to animate the entwined dragons.

As the guest look back at the entrance wall they will see a large Chinese styled painting of a serious looking Emperor and his royal court. A giant dragon coils behind him as a sign of his royal power. The Emperor and his court stare out and down as if they are looking directly at the guest.

The two sidewalls of the theater are paneled and painted in the traditional Chinese style. In the center of each wall is an oversized full-length portrait of classic Chinese opera performers with bizarre costumes and make-up.

Even as the guest are entering the main theater four Chinese actors in their colorful costumes are in the midst of a traditional Chinese Opera on the main stage. They are all animatronic figures with simple movements. The main character, the Wise Old Man, has a white beard and the most complex movements. When all of the guests have entered the theater one of the guides can start the show by a hidden switch. This stops the Chinese Opera and activates a monologue in English by the main character. This also signals the other two rooms to begin their show sequence.

The music fades away and the four performers turn towards the audience and pause. Then main character spreads his arms in welcome and begins the following introduction.

Wise Old Man:
"Welcome to the Chinese Opera of Hong Kong. I am Jing the wise old man. I am only one of a hundred characters in you might find in any Chinese Opera performance. This Opera has a long and colorful tradition that begins eight hundred years ago and carries on to this very day. But, (he lowers his voice) today is even more special. Today is the start of the Hungry Ghost Festival. (Jing laughs with mirth as he explains) The Hungry Ghost Festival is the time of year when Chinese believe all spirits return to be with the living. That is why today we began a special performance for our ghostly guests. For the next two weeks we will perform old Chinese operas day and night to keep the spirits happy. For if we can keep the spirits amused then perhaps they won’t be tempted to make any mischief for you on your tour.

So enjoy your tour around the famous Hong Kong Opera Theater. I’m sure you will find it quite fascinating. But be careful. Be sure to watch out for our other guest, the hungry ghosts."

At this moment there is a barely perceptible lowering of the light level. Soft music with tingle sounds is played about the theater. Gobbel lights cast small ghost shapes that soar over the walls.

Wise Old Man:
"Please be especially careful around the little ghosts. These are the little but mischievous spirits that like to play jokes on the living. It might only be a cold tickle on your neck, or a bump against your leg, or a ghostly whisper that comes to you from the shadows. Or maybe something far more serious?”

The main character breaks out in hearty laughter and then all the performers quickly return to performing the Opera in the Chinese language and music. The guides usher the guest to doors on either side of the stage.

The two Opera performers that were only paintings before have now become three-dimensional sculptures that looked down on the departing guest.

The doors to the back stare area marked “Back Entrance. Special Tour Guest Only – All others stay out!!!” in white harsh brush strokes.

Back Stage Show

Walking up either side the guest enters a short hallway where the first thing the guest will see is a large Chinese Warrior guard about fifteen feet tall. Once past the short hallways the guest enters an up-stage area with a Chinese temple set. All the set pieces including the warriors are typical theater sets in painted canvas on a wood frame. The curtain between this back stage area and the main theater stage is closed so we can’t see the performers onstage.

The guests are ushered unto the steps of the temple where they find short benches. Flat cutout railings separate the rows of steps.

There are three monitors mounted on the proscenium over the curtain. The screen starts to brighten and scroll with static, but at first there is no image. Then an image of the back of a young Chinese man with headphones slowly appears. He has his back to the guest and seems to be concentrating on the control panels and is not aware that he’s being televised. He then notices some meters twitching and spins around to face the audience.

Qing:
"Oh! Hello. Right, you’re the special-guest-on-tour here and I’m Qing, the Technical Manager who will explain some of the untraditional machinery that goes into making a traditional Chinese Opera. First off can all of the Adults please sit down so the children can see? Yes, that’s it. Yes, that’s great, please sit down on the benches behind you."

(The guides also help to get the adults seated.)

"Right now I’m speaking to you from the control booth in the back of the theater where you first came in. From here I can control the curtains, the lights, the sound, and the scenic flats above your head. While other members of the Chinese opera might tell you about the Opera’s long history, or it’s tradition, … or some silly stories about Hungry Ghosts."

(For this statement he moves his face so close to the camera it’s distorted.)

Qing:
"I will tell you about the technology of today’s Chinese Opera and how modern opera performances are so much more then fancy costumes, face make-up, or tradition. Outside of the performers themselves most of the show effects these days have been automated. For instance these buttons here…

(Qing points to some buttons on the wall behind him.)

Qing:
…control those scenic flats above your head. Although, I’ll bet you wouldn’t want me to push this button here."

(Qing dramatically points to a large red button on the control panels but doesn’t touch it, then points upward to the ceiling above the audience. There the guest can see several huge and heavy looking show sets. They are full of cobwebs and swing gently has if there is a small breeze.)

Qing:
"Because some of you might get squished by one of those big sets above you."

(Qing giggles at his own joke. At this very moment grinding noises come from the hanging sets. Sparks light up the pipes that the sets are hung on. A shriek is heard and one of the larger sets drops about five feet. Qing is now embarrassed and looks a little frightened.)

Qing:
"Whoops, sorry. Must have been one of those hungry ghosts. I didn’t touch that button, honest! Aaa, let me open the curtain for you so you can see what the actors see. Now be real quiet and no one should notice you behind the stage set."

The curtain slowly parts to reveal the four performers we saw before. Although now we’re behind them and the latticework that makes up their stage set. The actors are performing for the new … and old guests. There are the real guests who came behind and seem to stare at the first group of guest as they watch the show. Then there are the old guests, shimmering smiling faces that were not seen moments before. They are the occupants of the giant Chinese painting that hangs above the new guests. They’re floating high in the air as they watch the Chinese Opera. Their straggly hair, tattered clothing, and elongated fingers flutter as if by disturbed by some ghostly breeze. They smile and clap as they enjoy the show.

Qing:
"See our other special guests? We always get a full house during the Hungry Ghost Festival. These are royal guests who’ve come back to watch our Opera after all these years."

Suddenly the monitor screen goes crazy and the guest see small ghost creatures in brilliant colors dancing on the screen. After a bit of manic giggling the monitor returns to normal and tense and frightened Qing appears.

Qing:
"Oh, oh, the naughty little ones are at it again."

More sparks start flying as the many stage flats shake in on their uncertain cable supports.

Qing:
"Hmmm, it looks like it might be a good time for you to move on to the next stop on your tour. Those mischievous little ghosts might not let you stay much longer. Please turn and take the stairs up to the temple doors, which will take you to the next stop, the Prop Room. And remember to visit us again, …and again, …and again …and again…"

Qing’s face and body fade away as the monitors return to scrolling static. The guides usher the guests up the stairs towards the central doors. A flashing sign says “Prop Room.” As the guests enter the Prop Room they have to walk carefully around several towering piles of props. There are piles of costumes and hats, swords and armor, carts and columns, furniture and sculpture, gongs and string instruments, and many other props that seem like they came from every Chinese Opera performed. The props are stacked randomly about the room and hung from the walls up to the ceiling high above the guest. Everything is dusty and covered in cobwebs. Gobbel lights send small ghost shapes flying about the walls. Along one wall are a series of full costumes and mask from the more flamboyant Opera characters.

Prop Room Show

Once the guest have entered and the show sequence begins one of the hanging costumes starts moving. A spooky voice seems to come from inside. Then the voice becomes normal. It’s the same voice of Qing, the Chinese Technical Manager.

Qing:
"Hello again, it’s me Qing again. Welcome to the prop room. Did I surprise you? Let me get out of this silly costume so I can show you around."

(The costume flails a bit but soon quickly relaxes.)

Qing:
"Aaaaa, I might be stuck here for a while so I’ll just talk to you from here.

In this room we keep all the props and costumes we use in our Chinese Operas. As you can see we have quite a collection. I’m wearing the classic costume of a “Wusheng” an acrobatic Chinese warrior. Next to me is the costume of the “Laosheng” which represent old men. Next to him is the costume of the “Qingyi,” the respectable and decent ladies in elegant costumes.

Another important feature of the Chinese Opera is the music. Across from me you can see hanging on the wall the various musical instruments that accompany the Chinese Opera including the Erhu, the Huqin, the Yueqin, the Sheng, and the Pipa."

(As he names each instrument the guests hear it make a sound.)

Qing:
"Over there in the corner you might have notice our proud Chinese lion statue. He has stood guard over many performances in our Opera."

(The Chinese lion statue slowly turns it’s head to the guest, blinks it’s eyes, opens it’s toothy mouth. A low roar seems to come from deep within the statue."

Qing:
"In the other corner you will see a prop statue of one our more famous warrior performers. Some say that this time of year the statue comes to life to perform again for the other spirits."

(A swirling ball of light flies about the room to settle and dance on the Statue’s face. But Qing seems not to notice and begins to describe a parade dragon costume hanging above the guest.)

Qing:
"Above you hangs a parade dragon costume. This costume is twenty feet long and takes ten performers to dance it around the stage. You may have seen a performance at any typical Chinese celebration or parade."

The guests hear the sound of air and the dragon costume swells as the head swivels down to look at the guest. At the same time the swirling stars on the statue coalesce and the face of the warrior statue emerges with his eyes open and blinking several times.

Warrior Statue:
"Ah, humph, Oh! Who are you?"

(The warrior statue face blinks and looks around at the guest as if he’s been asleep.)

Warrior Statue:
"Are you on the tour? We’re so glad they bring you here to visit as we’ve been so lonely for so long. The rest of the year is so boring wouldn’t you say old dragon?"

Parade Dragon:
"Yesssssss, we’ve been here a long time."

(The dragon speaks a breathy barely audible voice, full of echoes, as if he is hallow and full of wind."

Warrior Statue:
"Lucky we get to visit you during the Hungry Ghost Festival."

(We hear giggles from the shadows as small smiling faces fly in and out of our view. The lion statue growls and turns his head to show he agrees with each sentence."

Warrior Statue:
"Many years ago we performed the magic of the Chinese opera for our eager audiences."

Parade Dragon:
"Many yearssssssss agoooooo.

Warrior Statue:
"And now every year during the Hungry Ghost Festival we can perform again for you."

Parade Dragon:
"Yessssss, for youuuuuu."

Warrior Statue:
"Thank you for coming, thank you for visiting with us."

Parade Dragon:
"Yessssssss thank youuuuuu."

(The face of the warrior slow fades as he gives one last wink. The body of the dragon slowly deflates with a sigh.)

Qing:
"I’m glad you’ve met our special friends. Did you enjoy their performance? So now you see, this time of year our Opera is full of life … and full of the life here after. Perhaps many, many years from now you will return here during the Hungry Ghost Festival to perform with us. Until that time all of us performers here at the Hong Kong Opera House want to thank you for coming and wish you a very wonderful time at Ramoji Movie Magic."

(With Qings last words the statues, costumes, and props come back to life for one more goodbye.)

Qing:
"Oh, and one last thing before you go,” warns Ling, “watch out for the little ghosts. They might follow you!”

(Qing’s chuckling voice fades as we past his suit of armor to the exit.)

The guides direct the guests down one long hall where flying ghost shapes precede them. As they walk down the halls they notice other ghost shapes in the hallway mirrors keeping them company. It isn’t long before they are outside in the fresh air amused by their time with spirits of the Hungry Ghost Festival. But they wonder have the ghosts followed them?

Indeed they do find the little ghost have followed them to the gift kiosks outside. They’re cute and cuddly and want to go home with the guests. Some even discount themselves before the guests eyes so they might purchase them right away.

These are very sly little ghosts indeed.