Scott Messinger | ‘Cats is almost like a no-brainer to bring to Macau’

Scott Messinger

The cast of Cats

Hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats” returns to town tonight, with its famed characters taking the stage at The Venetian Theatre for a set of shows running up until March 15. The senior vice president of marketing at Sands China, Scott Messinger, told the Times in an interview that the operator will be focusing on Broadway-style entertainment as part of its strategy to strengthen Sands China’s non-gaming offerings.
“A new facet [of our strategy] is bringing Broadway-style entertainment here, which is a concept that our sister company in Singapore has done very effectively,” he stressed.
Mr Messinger added, “‘Cats’ is almost like a no-brainer to bring to Macau,” particularly since it is regarded as one of the most successful shows of all time, being celebrated  not only on Broadway and West End stages, but also on others across the globe.
“It’s probably the most successful touring show in China, whether it’s Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, over the years. So, it’s our pleasure to be able to bring this caliber of production to Macau over the course of 13 performances,” he reiterated.
The senior vice president of marketing emphasized that the operator is striving to focus on both ends of the consumer spectrum, through aiming to provide affordable ticket prices. “The average price overall is very low and that’s not by mistake. Frankly, we don’t want to bring this kind of entertainment to Macau and price it in a way that it’s out of [the population’s] reach,” he added.
He highlighted Sands China’s commitment to providing non-gaming options to both tourists and residents. Through its community outreach program, the operator attempts to encourage team members, and at times even performers, to engage with the local community.
Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Cats” premiered in London on May 11, 1981, at the New London Theatre. In the following year, the show premiered at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. The music would remain on Broadway until September 2000, having been performed 7,485 times. This gave “Cats” the title of the longest-running musical in Broadway’s history for almost ten years, before the show was overtaken in 2006 by Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’.
“Cats” debuted in Macau at the Cultural Centre over the Christmas of 2007. The show returns here with Paul White as musical director. White has worked on several major productions over the past 25 years.
Some of the show’s characters were based on T. S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” (1939), which Lloyd Webber has recalled as a childhood favorite. It tells the story of the “Jellicle Cats” who come out to play at night in a rubbish dump.
Mr Messinger stated that The Venetian’s premises are geared with the type of resources that a show like “Cats” demands. He acknowledged that the operator has a lot of resources dedicated to the show, but that team members are also looking into other non-gaming elements and entertainment events simultaneously.
“We have an enormous advantage because of our physical plan; there are not many venues like the Venetian theatre in this part of the world. It’s loaded with the kinds of right technology, [enabling] a show like ‘Cats’ but also an awards ceremony,” he stated.
Furthermore, Mr Messinger noted that the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) sector is in the company’s DNA. “So, the property and our entire infrastructure is geared toward pulling off large-scale productions, large-scale integrated events (…),” he added.
As Macau’s government urges operators to enhance their non-gaming offerings, Sands says that it hopes to continue exploring new opportunities in order to bring events and activities that run separately to its casino operations. “I think everyone is aware of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, which will be coming here for a six-week extended stay,” Mr Messinger pointed out, adding that the operator will focus on bringing both Western and Asian acts.
“Our principal costumers are coming from mainland China. They like to see the concert shows, and I’d say most of the time they’re looking to see Asian stars,” he acknowledged.
Mr Messinger hinted that it’s been difficult to balance Western and Asian acts. However, the operator always needs to take Western tour schedules into consideration and to see whether they will be heading here.
“The challenge is more to understand if the Western tours are going to come through this area. A lot of them come through with very elaborate and very costly productions, and we have to determine whether we can monetize that stop. Because it doesn’t do as much good to bring in a very expensive act and then expect either the Hong Kong residents or the mainland Chinese tourists to pay a very heavy ticket price,” he recognized.
The “Cats” performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, running from March 6–15, 2015 (no show on March 9). Tickets are priced at HKD/MOP680 (A Reserve), 480 (B Reserve) and 280 (C Reserve).

‘Now You See Me 2’ to be filmed in The Venetian Macao

The American production “Now You See Me: The Second Act” will be filmed in The Venetian Macao later this month. Sands China’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Scott Messinger, revealed in an interview with the Times. “We will be filming a major motion sequel here. I believe it’s the first time we’ve made a major Hollywood production here.”
“I think everyone will be pleased to see what’s happening here. It very positively showcases Macau, and it will be something we look forward to seeing,” he added.
The Times had reported last month that “Now You See Me: The Second Act” would be filmed in Macau. Producers are already recruiting movie extras to play clients and casino employees, Lusa news agency reported.
The first instalment, “Now You See Me,” was released in 2013 and, according to IMDb, depicted the story of an FBI agent and an Interpol detective tracking down a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward audiences with the money. The sequel’s plot is yet to be disclosed.
Sands China’s strategy to enhance non-gaming elements, namely related to cinema, include another film festival this year, Mr Messinger revealed. “We will be announcing later in the year a major film festival [that will be] built around a noted actor of Chinese heritage,” he stated.

‘major western star’ performs in sept

The Senior Vice President of Marketing at Sands China, Scott Messinger, has told the Times that “another major Western act” will be coming to the Venetian in September this year. “We will continue to focus on Western acts, like the Katy Perry [concert in May]. I can’t announce acts that have not been signed, but I suspect you’ll see another major Western star performing here in September,” he revealed.