Cantonese Opera: Stage Initiation Po Toi Ritual

When performing on a new stage, the Cantonese opera troupe will have to stage a short ritual playlet to initiate the stage, before the actual performance on the first night. The ritual is commonly known as Po Toi or Zae Baak Fu (White Tiger Ritual). The purpose of the ritual is to purge the stage of evil spirits and to pray for the safety of the troupe members.