This type of drama, known as chou shen xi (thank-the-gods drama), comes in many varieties, but it generally comprises a main show preceded by a type of propitiatory drama called ban xian xi, in which the actors play the parts of various spirits (sometimes three, and at others eight) who act as a sort of go-between the people and the gods.
酬神戲少不得要扮仙，所謂「扮仙」就是在正戲開演前，由演員扮成「三仙」或「八仙」，把民眾酬神、還願、祈福、除煞等心願傳達給神明。