LAMMA ISLAND, Hong Kong – Rubbing sticks together starts fires. Hitting people with sticks constitutes assault. And by a special brand of building magic, tying sticks together means it’s time for Chinese opera here.

Each year, workers on Lamma Island bind together thousands of bamboo poles to create an impressive, but temporary, opera house bigger than some sports stadiums. Again this year, the bamboo opera house rose like a mythical phoenix, “setting the stage” for popular Cantonese-opera shows.

The Celebrate Tin Hau (Goddess of the Sea) Festival runs from April 16-20. As the main attraction, the “Hong Kong-renowned” Hing Fung Ming Cantonese Opera Troupe performs.

Starting in late March, piles of bamboo poles arrived at a village soccer pitch. Agile and skillful, busy builders added one pole at a time to create a large stage, partial walls and a sloped roof.

Now, the “culture palace” dwarfs nearly every other building on the island. Colorful flags flutter outside. Rows of chairs wait on the surface where soccer balls usually bounce.

Despite such elaborate preparations, the bamboo opera house operates for less than a week. Once the final costumed performer sings, the workers return, cut loose the bamboo poles and carry them away. Within a few days, the huge structure vanishes until next year.

This unusual opera house lacks the grandeur and permanence of the famous Sydney Opera House. But it’s even more fascinating.
















Almost ready for the opening-day crowd.


Let the performances begin.

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