There's a sudden panic in high society. Famed hostesses and corporate chiefs realise the party of the century is upon them. Who's going to sing in the new era? The phone rings constantly at the office of John Duffus, purveyor of culture for the gentry. The entertainment entrepreneur who was once general manager of the Hong Kong Philharmonic is being asked to arrange scores of acts over the takeover period.
'They ask for everything from a cocktail pianist to the Three Tenors,' he says, scanning a fax demanding the performance of a European quartet. 'Money seems to be no object.' Well, that's not quite true. The most extravagant hostess (and her husband) might hesitate at the $100 million needed to get Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti on stage. But she need not worry: they are otherwise engaged. Duffus has already inquired.
But there are many other choices. The sudden range of requests surprised the man who has been involved in public entertainment in Hong Kong since 1979.
'Suddenly, people realise they need to do something,' he says, explaining his constantly-ringing telephone.
Unlike most entertainment events when organisers want to scream their coups from the highest skyscraper, those involved in the Take Over events are trying to keep their programme a secret. Many of the acts blaring into life in June will be surprises.
Therefore, the usually-voluble Scot has to be careful about what he reveals.
