Former stage manager Mark Rowe is hoping his skill managing big theatre productions will translate to the local entertainment scene.
With a CV that includes work on the Australian-produced versions of Mama Mia and Chicago he's betting there is a market for well-choreographed events. He envisions applying stage-management skills to corporate and society affairs - ceremonies that call for clockwork scheduling.
'Just have a look at British Royal events, the reason they work so well is that they are managed right down to the last detail,' he says.
He launched International Corporate Events three months ago, budgeting about $500,000 in start-up capital from his own pocket. Most expenditure has so far gone towards licence and registration fees, with his office little more than a laptop and mobile phone.
Mr Rowe joined the theatre 25 years ago in his native Australia, working as a stage hand and eventually moving up the production ladder. He first visited Hong Kong in 1996 as a tour director with the musical Les Miserables.
Eventually he hopes his company will provide a pipeline to match cabaret talent in Australia with lucrative performance contracts in Asia. Tribute shows - already popular in Australia - should do well around Hong Kong and other Asian capital cities. These include performances such as the Rat Pack - featuring the songs of crooners Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior, as well as musical tributes to Barbara Streisand and the Beach Boys.