Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil
Private company
Industry Entertainment
Founded 7 July 1984 (1984-07-07)
Founder Guy Laliberté
Gilles Ste-Croix
Daniel Gauthier
Rachel Vertus
Headquarters Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO
Revenue Increase C$850 million (FY 2010)[1]
Number of employees
 5,022
Divisions Cirque du Soleil Images, Cirque du Soleil's Merchandising
Subsidiaries Cirque du Soleil Musique
45 Degrees
Blue Man Group[2]
Website www.cirquedusoleil.com

Cirque du Soleil (French: [sɪʁk dzy sɔ.lɛj], "Circus of the Sun" or "Sun Circus") is a Canadian entertainment company. It is the largest theatrical producer in the world.[3] Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul on 7 July 1984, by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix.[4]

Initially named Les Échassiers ([lez‿e.ʃa.sje], "The Waders"), they toured Quebec in 1980 as a performing troupe. Their initial financial hardship was relieved in 1983 by a government grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, as part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of Jacques Cartier's voyage to Canada.[5] Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil was a success in 1984, and after securing a second year of funding, Laliberté hired Guy Caron from the National Circus School to recreate it as a "proper circus". Its theatrical, character-driven approach and the absence of performing animals helped define Cirque du Soleil as the contemporary circus ("nouveau cirque") that it remains today. (The only two instances of animals in Cirque shows are the snakes of Zumanity and the doves of Believe.[6])

Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world, with its own central theme and storyline. Shows employ continuous live music, with performers rather than stagehands changing the props. After financial successes and failures in the late 1980s, Nouvelle Expérience was created – with the direction of Franco Dragone – which not only made Cirque du Soleil profitable by 1990, but allowed it to create new shows.[7]

Cirque du Soleil expanded rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s, going from one show to 19 shows in over 271 cities on every continent except Antarctica. The shows employ approximately 4,000 people from over 40 countries and generate an estimated annual revenue exceeding US$810 million.[8][9] The multiple permanent Las Vegas shows alone play to more than 9,000 people a night, 5% of the city's visitors, adding to the 90 million people who have experienced Cirque du Soleil worldwide.[9]

In 2000, Laliberté bought out Gauthier, and with 95% ownership, has continued to expand the brand.[10] In 2008, Laliberté split 20% of his share equally between two investment groups Istithmar World and Nakheel of Dubai, in order to further finance the company's goals. In partnership with these two groups, Cirque du Soleil had planned to build a residency show in the United Arab Emirates in 2012 directed by Guy Caron (Dralion) and Michael Curry.[11] However, following Dubai's financial problems in 2010 caused by the 2008 recession, Laliberté stated that the project had been "put on ice";[12] that he might be looking for another financial partner to bankroll the company's future plans; and that he might even consider giving up another 10% of his share in the company.[12] Several more shows are in development around the world, as well as a television deal, a women's clothing line, and possible ventures into other mediums such as spas, restaurants and nightclubs.[13] Cirque du Soleil also produces a small number of private and corporate events each year (past clients have included the royal family of Dubai and the 2007 Super Bowl).[14]

The company's creations have received numerous prizes and distinctions, including a Bambi Award in 1997; a Rose d'Or in 1989; three Drama Desk Awards in 1991, 1998 and 2013; three Gemini Awards; four Primetime Emmy Awards;[15][16] and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[17] In 2000, Cirque du Soleil was awarded the National Arts Centre Award, a companion award of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.;[18] and in 2002 was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

In 2015, TPG Capital, Fosun Industrial Holdings[19] and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec purchased 90% of Cirque du Soleil.[20] The sale received regulatory approval from the Government of Canada on 30 June 2015.[21]

Origins

At age 18, interested in pursuing some kind of performing career, Guy Laliberté quit college and left home. He toured Europe as a folk musician and busker. By the time he returned home to Canada in 1979, he had learned the art of fire breathing. Although he became "employed" at a hydroelectric power plant in James Bay, his job ended after only three days due to a labour strike. He decided not to look for another job, instead supporting himself on his unemployment insurance. He helped organize a summer fair in Baie-Saint-Paul with the help of a pair of friends named Daniel Gauthier and Gilles Ste-Croix.[7][10]

Gauthier and Ste-Croix were managing a youth hostel for performing artists named Le Balcon Vert at that time. By the summer of 1979, Ste-Croix had been developing the idea of turning the Balcon Vert and the talented performers who lived there into an organized performing troupe. As part of a publicity stunt to convince the Quebec government to help fund his production, Ste-Croix walked the 56 miles (90 km) from Baie-Saint-Paul to Quebec City on stilts. The ploy worked, giving the three men the money to create Les Échassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul. Employing many of the people who would later make up Cirque du Soleil, Les Échassiers toured Quebec during the summer of 1980.[22][23]

Although well received by audiences and critics alike, Les Échassiers was a financial failure. Laliberté spent that winter in Hawaii plying his trade while Ste-Croix stayed in Quebec to set up a nonprofit holding company named "The High-Heeled Club" to mitigate the losses of the previous summer. In 1981, they met with better results. By that fall, Les Échassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul had broken even. The success inspired Laliberté and Ste-Croix to organize a summer fair in their hometown of Baie-Saint-Paul.[22]

This touring festival, called "La Fête Foraine", first took place in July 1982. La Fête Foraine featured workshops to teach the circus arts to the public, after which those who participated could take part in a performance. Ironically, the festival was barred from its own hosting town after complaints from local citizens.[24] Laliberté managed and produced the fair over the next couple of years, nurturing it into a moderate financial success. But it was in 1983 that the government of Quebec gave him a $1.5 million grant to host a production the following year as part of Quebec's 450th anniversary celebration of the French explorer Jacques Cartier's discovery of Canada. Laliberté named his creation "Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil".[7][25]

Shows

The duration of each touring show was traditionally split into two acts of an hour each separated by a 30-minute interval; however, as of 2014, due to cost cutting issues, the shows have now been reduced to a shorter 50-minute first act followed by a 60-minute second act, still including a 25-minute interval. Permanent shows are usually 90 minutes in length without any intermission. This excludes Joyà (the permanent show in Riviera Maya, Mexico), which is only 70 minutes in length. Typically touring shows as well as resident shows perform a standard 10 shows a week. Touring shows usually have one 'dark day' (with no performances) while resident shows have two.

Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil

On stage at the 1993 finale of Nouvelle Expérience

Originally intended to only be a one-year project, Cirque du Soleil was scheduled to perform in 11 towns in Quebec over the course of 13 weeks running concurrent with the third La Fête Foraine. The first shows were riddled with difficulty, starting with the collapse of the big top after the increased weight of rainwater caused the central mast to snap. Working with a borrowed tent, Laliberté then had to contend with difficulties with the European performers. They were so unhappy with the Quebec circus's inexperience that they had, at one point, sent a letter to the media complaining about how they were being treated.[7]

The problems were only transient, however, and by the time 1984 had come to a close, Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil was a success. Having only $60,000 left in the bank, Laliberté went back to the Canadian government to secure funding for a second year. While the Canadian federal government was enthusiastic, the Quebec provincial government was resistant to the idea. It was not until Quebec's premier, René Lévesque, intervened on their behalf that the provincial government relented.[7] The original big top tent that was used during the 1984 Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil tour can now be seen at Carnivàle Lune Bleue, a 1930s-style carnival that is home to the Cirque Maroc acrobats.[26]

La Magie Continue

After securing funding from the Canadian government for a second year, Laliberté took steps to renovate Cirque du Soleil from a group of street performers into a "proper circus". To accomplish this he hired the head of the National Circus School, Guy Caron, as Cirque du Soleil's artistic director. The influences that Laliberté and Caron had in reshaping their circus were extensive. They wanted strong emotional music that was played from beginning to end by musicians. They wanted to emulate the Moscow Circus' method of having the acts tell a story. Performers, rather than a technical crew, move equipment and props on and off stage so that it did not disrupt the momentum of the "storyline". Most importantly, their vision was to create a circus with neither a ring nor animals. The rationale was that the lack of both of these things draws the audience more into the performance.[7][27]

To help design the next major show, Laliberté and Caron hired Franco Dragone, another instructor from the National Circus School who had been working in Belgium. When he joined the troupe in 1985, he brought with him his experience in commedia dell'arte techniques, which he imparted to the performers. Although his experience would be limited in the next show due to budget restraints, he would go on to direct every show up to, but not including Dralion.[7]

By 1986, the company was once again in serious financial trouble. During 1985 they had taken the show outside Quebec to a lukewarm response. In Toronto they performed in front of a 25% capacity crowd after not having enough money to properly market the show. Gilles Ste-Croix, dressed in a monkey suit, walked through downtown Toronto as a desperate publicity stunt. A later stop in Niagara Falls turned out to be equally problematic.

Several factors prevented the company from going bankrupt that year. The Desjardins Group, which was Cirque du Soleil's financial institution at the time, covered about $200,000 of bad checks. Also, a financier named Daniel Lamarre, who worked for one of the largest public relations firms in Quebec, represented the company for free, knowing that they didn't have the money to pay his fee. The Quebec government itself also came through again, granting Laliberté enough money to stay solvent for another year.[7]

Le Cirque Réinventé

In 1987, after Laliberté re-privatized Cirque du Soleil, it was invited to perform at the Los Angeles Arts Festival. Although they continued to be plagued by financial difficulties, Normand Latourelle took the gamble and went to Los Angeles, despite only having enough money to make a one-way trip. Had the show been a failure, the company would not have had enough money to get their performers and equipment back to Montreal.[7][28]

The festival turned out to be a huge success, both critically and financially. The show attracted the attention of entertainment executives, including Columbia Pictures, which met with Laliberté and Gauthier under the pretense of wanting to make a movie about Cirque du Soleil. Laliberté was unhappy with the deal, claiming that it gave too many rights to Columbia, which was attempting to secure all rights to the production. Laliberté pulled out of the deal before it could be concluded, and that experience stands out as a key reason why Cirque du Soleil remained independent and privately owned for 28 years, until Guy Laliberte announced in April 2015 that he was selling his majority stake to a group headed by a U.S. private equity firm, and its Chinese partners.[29][30]

In 1988, Guy Caron left the company due to artistic differences over what to do with the money generated by Cirque du Soleil's first financially successful tour. Laliberté wanted to use it to expand and start a second show while Caron wanted the money to be saved, with a portion going back to the National Circus School. An agreement was never met and Caron, along with a large number of artists loyal to him, departed. This stalled plans that year to start a new touring show.[7]

Laliberté sought out Gilles Ste-Croix as replacement for the artistic director position. Ste-Croix, who had been away from the company since 1985, agreed to return. The company went through more internal troubles, including a failed attempt to add Normand Latourelle as a third man to the partnership. This triumvirate lasted only six months before internal disagreements prompted Gauthier and Laliberté to buy out Latourelle. By the end of 1989, Cirque du Soleil was once again in a deficit.[7]

The plot of the show was about normal people accidentally stumbling into a magic circus in which the "queen of the night" turns each one of them into a performer or acrobat. The show also featured returning Cirque Characters like Denis lacombe's "Mad conductor" from Le grand tour & Le magie continue, Wayne Hronek's "Benny le grand" from Le grand tour, Gerardo Avila's "Catitan cactus" from Le grand tour, Along with new characters like "Panchito morales" & Balthazar, who would later be in the 1997-1998 tour of Alegria & La nouba

Fascination

With Saltimbanco finished and touring in the United States and Canada, Cirque du Soleil toured Japan in the summer of 1992 at the behest of the Fuji Television Network. Taking acts from Nouvelle Expérience and Cirque Réinventé, they created a show for this tour, titled Fascination. Although Fascination was never seen outside Japan, it represented the first time that Cirque du Soleil had produced a show that took place in an arena rather than a big top. It was also the first that Cirque du Soleil performed outside of North America.[7]

Knie Presents Cirque du Soleil

Also in 1992, Cirque du Soleil made its first collaboration with Switzerland's Circus Knie in a production named Knie Presents Cirque du Soleil that toured for nine months from 20 March to 29 November 1992 through 60 cities in Switzerland, opening in Rapperswil and closing in Bellinzona. The production merged Circus Knie's animal acts with Cirque du Soleil's acrobatic acts. The stage resembled that of Cirque du Soleil's previous shows La Magie Continue and Le Cirque Reinventé, but was modified to accommodate Circus Knie's animals. The show also featured acts seen previously in Le Cirque Reinventé, including:

  • The prologue
  • Les Pingouins (Korean plank)
  • Slack wire
  • Tower on Wheels
  • Trick cycling[7][31]

Other shows

NamePremiereVenueFormatStatus
Nouvelle Expérience 8 May 1990TourGrand Chapiteau (1990 — 1993)Retired
Saltimbanco 23 April 1992TourGrand Chapiteau (1992 – 2006)
Arena (2007 – 2012)		Retired
Mystère 25 December 1993Treasure Island, Las VegasResident (since 1993)Active
Alegría 21 April 1994TourGrand Chapiteau (1994 — 2009)
Arena (2009 – 2013)
Grand Chapiteau (From 2019)		Reformatting to GC
Quidam 23 April 1996TourGrand Chapiteau (1996 — 2010, 2015)
Arena (2010 – 2016)		Retired
O 15 October 1998Bellagio, Las VegasResident (since 1998)Active
La Nouba 23 December 1998Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista, FloridaResident (1998 – 2017)Retired
Dralion 22 April 1999TourGrand Chapiteau (1999 — 2010)
Arena (2010 – 2015)		Retired
Varekai 24 April 2002TourGrand Chapiteau (2002 — 2013, 2017)
Arena (2013 — 2017)		Retired
Zumanity 31 July 2003New York-New York, Las VegasResident (since 2003)Active
Kà 26 November 2004MGM Grand, Las VegasResident (since 2004)Active
Corteo 21 April 2005TourGrand Chapiteau (2005 — 2015)
Arena (since 2018)		Active
Delirium 26 January 2006TourArena (2006 — 2008)Retired
The Beatles Love 2 June 2006The Mirage, Las VegasResident (since 2006)Active
Koozå 19 April 2007TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2007)Active
Wintuk 1 November 2007Madison Square Garden, New York CitySeasonal Resident (2007 — 2011)Retired
Zaia 26 July 2008The Venetian Macao, Cotai Strip, MacauResident (2008 — 2012)Retired
Zed 15 August 2008Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo, JapanResident (2008 — 2011)Retired
Criss Angel Believe 26 September 2008Luxor, Las VegasResident (Since 2008)Active
Ovo 23 April 2009TourGrand Chapiteau (2009 — 2015)
Arena (since 2016)		Active
Banana Shpeel 19 November 2009TourTheatre (2009-2010)Retired
Viva Elvis 16 December 2009Aria Resort and Casino, Las VegasResident (2009 — 2012)Retired
Totem 22 April 2010TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2010)Active
Zarkana 29 June 2011Aria Resort and Casino, Las VegasArena (2011 — 2012)
Resident (2012 — 2016)		Retired
Iris 25 September 2011Dolby Theatre, Los AngelesResident (2011 — 2013)Retired
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour 2 October 2011TourArena (2011 — 2014)Retired
Amaluna 19 April 2012TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2012)Active
Michael Jackson: One 23 May 2013Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las VegasResident (since 2013)Active
Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities 24 April 2014TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2014)Active
Joyà 8 November 2014Riviera Maya, MexicoResident (since 2014)Active
Toruk - The First Flight 12 November 2015TourArena (since 2015)Active
Paramour 16 April 2016Various residenciesTheatre (since 2016)Reopening in 2019
Luzia 21 April 2016TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2016)Active
Séptimo Día - No Descansaré 9 March 2017TourArena (2017 — 2018)Retired
Volta 20 April 2017TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2017)Active
Crystal 5 October 2017TourArena (since 2017)Active
Bazzar November 2018TourGrand Chapiteau (since 2018)Coming Soon

Future ventures

  • Hangzhou resident show: On 15 June 2015 at the Shanghai International Film Festival, Cirque du Soleil announced their plans to develop a permanent show in the Xintiandi commercial complex in Hangzhou, China. The theater will seat 1400 spectators and Cirque du Soleil's chief executive Daniel Lamarre has said that the show will have a "local flavor" but still be a "Cirque show". It is scheduled to have a soft opening in November 2018 with the development of the theatre on the site of an old warehouse of an old rail yard area currently underway.[32] It is described as a love story and the theatre will cost $148 million. The theatre will have two rotating islands with 700 seats each. Audiences will be led to a room with video projections that will serve as an introduction to the show. The cast will be at least 50% Chinese. There will be a mix of Western and Chinese cultural elements. The show was later postponed to February 2019. The total cost of the entire Productions is $200 million. The opening has been delayed until early 2019.[33]
  • Cirque du Soleil Theme Park: On 12 November 2014, Cirque du Soleil, Grupo Vidanta, and Goddard Group announced plans for a theme park in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. The plans call for at least two lands, the Village of the Sun and the Village of the Moon, as well as an outdoor evening show accommodating as many as 3,000 to 5,000 spectators, and may include a water park and nature park elements.[34][35][36] The opening has been delayed from 2018 until the current estimate of a mid 2019 opening.[37] Further delays occurred, meaning that the park is now expected to open in 2020.[38]
  • Dubai resident show: A production had been originally scheduled to premiere in Dubai in 2011, but due to financial instability that hit Cirque du Soleil around that time (including their Middle Eastern investors Nakheel and Istithmar World pulling out of their partnership), they had postponed the show. The 2011 show was meant to be directed by Guy Caron (director of Dralion and Kà) and Michael Curry (who specialises in puppetry/props), and was to be housed in a custom-built theatre that would seat 1,800 people on Palm Jumeirah (one of three man-made, palm-shaped islands in Dubai).[39] As part of the development for Expo Dubai 2020, the Marsa Al Arab project will involve the construction of a custom 1,700 seat theatre for a resident Cirque on one of the two new islands being built next to Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The show is expected to open in late 2020.[40][41]
  • New Jersey American Dream project: As part of the new American Dream Supermall in New Jersey, Cirque will create a resident show and perform 10 shows per week in its custom-built, 1500-seat theatre.[42] Every two hours, a fountain in the complex will open up to reveal two Cirque artists who will perform a seven-minute routine.[43] In a recent press interview, the opening was postponed to March 2019, and the 65,000-square-foot venue was referred to as a performing arts centre which will host a "Cirque du Soleil space" as well as a range of other live events and shows. It is unclear as to whether the initial plans for an exclusively Cirque theatre nor the daily fountain shows are still in place.[44]
  • Bazzar (2018): Cirque du Soleil announced plans for a production exclusively for the Indian, Mediterranean Europe, Middle Eastern and African markets tentatively starting in November 2018 [45] that is a throwback to the company's early days described as "an eclectic lab of infinite creativity where a joyful troupe of acrobats, dancers and musicians craft an awe-inspiring spectacle. Led by their maestro, they band together to invent a whimsical one-of-a-kind universe. In a place where the unexpected is expected, the colourful group reimagines, rebuilds and reinvents vibrant scenes in an artistic, acrobatic game of order and disorder." [46][47][48][49][50]
  • Untitled Disney Themed Show: Disney announced that following the closure of La Nouba in December 2017, Cirque will create a new show for Disney Springs with a planned opening of mid 2019.[51]

Other works

Projects

  • Cirque du Monde: A social action project designed to reach marginalized youth.[52]
  • Safewalls: An artistic project curated by Cirque du Soleil that is bringing time-honoured circus posters into the 21st century by pairing up with renowned international street art and lowbrow artists.[53][54]
  • Cultural Action Art Exhibitions: As part of its Cultural Action programs, Cirque du Soleil offers artists the opportunity to exhibit at its Montreal Headquarters and at its Las Vegas offices. Artists who have participated include: France Jodoin, Dominique Fortin-Mues, Laurent Craste and Dominic Besner.
  • Desigual inspired by Cirque du Soleil: Cirque du Soleil partnered with Desigual fashion design in 2011 to develop a collection of clothing and accessories, which was made available at Desigual stores and Cirque du Soleil show boutiques.[55]
  • Movi.Kanti.Revo: In association with Google, Cirque du Soleil released a Google Chrome extension in 2012, meant to bring some of Cirque du Soleil's imagination to the browser.[56]

Special events / 45 Degree productions

In April 2015, Cirque du Soleil's Special Events division, which had been responsible for coordinating various public and private events, formed a separate company called 45 Degrees. Led by Yasmine Khalil, the new company has continued to produce special events for Cirque du Soleil while expanding to offer creative content outside Cirque du Soleil as well.[57] 45 degrees has since been merged with the C-Lab (creative laboratory) division of the main Cirque company, now taking on the role of producing both special event performances as well as designing shows with new concepts (such as the dinner-show concept in Joya and the ice concept in Crystal).[58]

DateName or eventLocationNotes
1997-1999Pomp Duck and CircumstanceHamburgCirque partnered with Germany, entertainment company 'Pomp Duck and Circumstance' to create an original dinner-show concept, a first for Cirque.
24 March 200274th Academy AwardsLos AngelesA five-minute performance for the category of special effects at the 74th Academy Awards. They spent four months creating the show, which featured 11 acts from a variety of Cirque du Soleil shows. Each of the acts were choreographed and themed to their equivalent movie by recreating the special effect scene featured in the film on stage while playing clips on a large screen behind the performances.[59]
11 July 2004Soleil de Minuit
(Midnight Sun)		MontrealA one-night event in Montreal celebrating the 20th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil and the 25th anniversary of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.[60]
2004–2005A Taste of Cirque du SoleilCelebrity CruisesA 30-minute performance on the Constellation and Summit Celebrity Cruises cruise ships. Included on these ships was The Bar at the Edge of the Earth, a dreamlike bar/lounge/disco.[61][62]
15 July 2005Reflections in BlueMontrealA unique one-night water show in Montreal as part of the opening ceremonies for the 2005 World Aquatics Championships.[63]
26 July 20062006 World OutgamesMontrealCirque du Soleil paid tribute to athletes and diversity with a performance directed by Michel Laprise, highlighting feats of strength and dexterity.
January 2007Circle Fiat Bravo LaunchRomeCirque du Soleil created this 60-minute show for the Fiat Bravo launch under the direction of Jean-François Bouchard and Michel Laprise. It included eight numbers, most of them adapted for the event, as well as characters, choreographic numbers and a grand finale: the unveiling of the car, which featured horses, a 40-car carousel, fire performers and fireworks.
4 February 2007One Day, One Game, One Dream Miami Gardens, Florida,
United States		Produced by David Saltz, this was performed during the Super Bowl XLI pre-game show.[64]
28 August 2007The Venetian Macao Grand OpeningMacauThe show told a story of a young traveler who arrives in Macau. Reflecting on his life, he sets out to test his abilities and discover what fate has in store for him.
7 December 2007 Prêmio Craque do BrasileirãoRio de Janeiro, BrazilCirque du Soleil took part in the celebration. Their artists performed acts from various shows.
2008The Awakening of the SerpentZaragoza, SpainCirque du Soleil participated in the presentation of a daily parade spectacle called The Awakening of the Serpent at Expo 2008 in Zaragoza, Spain.
17 October 2008400th anniversary of QuébecQuebec City, CanadaCirque du Soleil celebrated Quebec City's 400th anniversary by creating a performance staged at the Colisée Pepsi (Pepsi Coliseum), directed by Michel Laprise.
5 December 2008Il Sogno Di Volare
(The Dream of Flying)		Lecce, ItalyDuring the white night of Lecce, this show was performed in Saint Oronzo Plaza. The show was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus.[65]
16 May 2009Eurovision Song Contest 2009MoscowCirque du Soleil was the opening act of the song contest, along with Dima Bilan, who sang "Believe." They performed a spectacle called Prodigal Son.
2009Les Chemins invisiblesQuebec City, CanadaThe first year of Les Chemins invisibles was titled "The Enriched Encounter".
2010Expo 2010ShanghaiCirque du Soleil co-created the Canada Pavilion in association with the Government of Canada for Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, which was available for viewing from May to September 2010.[66]
14 June 20102010 FIBA World ChampionshipIstanbulCirque du Soleil created and performed a 10-minute presentation for the Opening Ceremony of the FIBA 2010 World Championship with acts from La Nouba, Quidam, Dralion, Kooza and Varekai. It was directed by Michel Laprise.
28 August 2010Les Chemins invisiblesQuebec City, CanadaThe second year of Les Chemins invisibles was titled "Furrow of Dreams".
2011Les Chemins invisiblesQuebec City, CanadaThe third year of Les Chemins invisibles was titled "The Tin Kingdom".
5 February 2012Super Bowl XLVI Halftime ShowIndianapolis,
United States		During the halftime show, some artists performed with Madonna, using the slackline.
26 February 201284th Academy AwardsLos AngelesOver 50 artists performed a routine, scored by Danny Elfman, during the 84th Academy Awards in the Dolby Theatre.[67][68]
2012Les Chemins invisiblesQuebec City, CanadaThe fourth year of Les Chemins invisibles was titled "The Pixel Frontier".
22 September 20122012 FIFA U-17 Women's World CupBaku, AzerbaijanOpening ceremony at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku.[69]
2013Les Chemins invisiblesQuebec City, CanadaThe fifth and final year of Les Chemins invisibles was titled "The Harbor of Lost Souls".
13 June - 3 August 2013ScaladaAndorraA free, summer seasonal open-air event, developed by Cirque du Soleil for the Principality of Andorra, that depicted the competitiveness of the four seasons.
5 July - 2 August 2014Scalada: Mater NaturaAndorraA summer seasonal open-air event; the second year was entitled Mater Nature, directed and choreographed by Stéphane Boko.[70]
13–28 December 201430th Anniversary ConcertMontrealCirque du Soleil's 30th Anniversary Concert was performed at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Montreal in December 2014. The concert featured a variety of songs from Cirque du Soleil's previous shows. The 75-minute concert featured a 30-person orchestra, a 70-person choir, and 8 veteran Cirque du Soleil singers.[71]
1 May - 31 October 2015Allavita!MilanThis tailor-made show was created specifically for Expo Milano 2015 and was inspired by the union between Food and Life (the theme for the expo).
4 July - 1 August 2015Scalada: StoriaAndorra la Vella, AndorraThe third part in this series explored Andorra's more mysterious side and took an acrobatic and metaphorical journey through the country's legends.
10 July 2015Pan American Games 2015TorontoCirque du Soleil created an original production for the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 Pan American Games.
15 July - 15 August 2015Le Monde Est FouTrois-RivièresThis show by 45 Degrees (formerly the special events division of Cirque du Soleil), directed by Daniel Fortin, was "inspired by the body of work and rich musical universe produced by Beau Dommage". The 75-minute show is the first of a "Cirque du Soleil Série Hommage" series and ran for a month at Amphithéâtre Cogeco in Trois-Rivières (Québec).
11 December 2015Aditya Birla Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2015India[72]
2–10 January 2016JoelBarvikha, MoscowThe show was directed by Fernand Reynvil.
6 February 2016 – PresentLa Forge aux étoilesVienne, FranceCirque du Soleil announced they would produce an aquatic evening show to replace the Lady O show at Futuroscope (a French theme park). This 45 degrees production will be perform 250 to 300 shows a year on a 7,000-square-metre (75,000 sq ft) outdoor aquatic stage with special effects such as laser projections, water fountains, pyrotechnics and fire.[73][74]
13 July - 13 August 2016Tout écartilléTrois-RivièresThis is the second part of Cirque's "Série Hommage" (Tribute Series) and will be inspired by the musical works of Robert Charlebois, a leading figure of the Quebec music scene for more than 50 years. The 75-minute show will run for a month at Amphithéâtre Cogeco in Trois-Rivières (Québec).
2–30 July 2016Scalada: VisionAndorraIt will be directed by Mukhtar Omar Sharif, Mukhtar who is an ex-cirque artist turned choreographer who has worked on projects including the Beijing Olympic Game's opening and closing ceremonies and Cirque's 'One night for One Drop' in 2013 and 2014.[75]
16 June – 9 September 2017ReflektAstanaThis full-length, custom show was developed exclusively for Expo 2017, being inspired by the focus of the expo, 'future energy' as well as aspects of Kazakhstan's culture. The official website encourages audiences to "soar into a futuristic vision where ancient past, technology and modernity collide in a high-energy, acrobatic and new visual experience". It includes new acts such as a combination between motorbikes and Russian bars, as well as featuring elements such as hover boards and remote control cars. It completely sold out all its performances.
1–30 July 2017Scalada: StelarAndorraThis is the fifth and final instalment of the annual "Scalada" series takes audiences to the peaks of Andorra's surrounding mountains to imagine a world beyond the everyday.
19 July - 19 August 2017StoneTrois-RivièresThis is the third instalment of Cirque's "Série Hommage" and will be inspired by the modern, eccentric, baroque/punk-rock/opera music of French-Canadian lyricist, Luc Plamondon. The show will once again run for a month at Amphithéâtre Cogeco in Trois-Rivières (Québec).
18 July - 18 August 2018Les ColocsTrois-RivièresThe fourth instalment of the Série Hommage pays tribute to French-Canadian rock band, Les Colocs and will run for a month at Amphithéâtre Cogeco at Trois-Rivières (Québec). The decision was somewhat controversial since Cirque allegedly didn't inform at least some of the founding band members of Les Clocs, instead making the decision out of "good faith" according to Cirque's Senior Director of Public Relations, Marie-Hélène Lagacé. Mike Sawatzky claims he would have liked to have been consulted of the decision, but "it's [nothing] against Cirque du Soleil, it's (in fact) an honour". Cirque has stated its intentions to "desire to receive the contribution of (all involved in Les Colocs) so that this show renders sincerity and an. authentic homage to the band".[76]
30 June - 29 July 2018DivaAndorraAfter the success of the annual Scalada series, Cirque returns to Andorra with a new, temporary resident show to be themed around music divas throughout history.

Lounges and nightclubs

As of October 2015, Cirque du Soleil renounced its intention to be involved in Las Vegas nightclubs and has since dissociated itself from all lounges and clubs listed below.[77] These lounges are no longer affiliated with Cirque du Soleil.

Revolution is a 5,000-square-foot (500 m2) lounge concept designed for The Mirage resort in Las Vegas, in which cast members perform to the music of The Beatles.[78] Cirque du Soleil drew inspiration from the Beatles' lyrics to design some of the lounge's features. For instance, the ceiling is decorated with 30,000 dichroic crystals, representing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". The VIP tables use infrared technology that allows guests to create artwork, which is then projected onto amorphic columns.[79]

Cirque du Soleil's second lounge was the Gold Lounge, which is located in the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and is 3,756 square feet (349 m2).[80] The design is reminiscent of Elvis' mansion, Graceland, and black and gold are utilized extensively throughout the décor. The bar has the same shape as the bar in the Elvis mansion as well.[81] The music played here changes throughout the night, including upbeat classic rock, commercial house music, upbeat Elvis remixes, minimal hip hop, Top 40, and pop.[82]

In May 2013 The Light Group opened the Light nightclub in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil[83] at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, costing $25 million. Light was the first time Cirque du Soleil worked as part of a nightclub.[84] Among other features the club has a large wall of LED screens, and the room is illuminated with fog, lasers and strobes.[83] DJs at the events include charting artists such as Kaskade and Tiesto, with prices ranging from $30 to $10,000 for certain table placements.[83]

Luna Petunia

It was announced on 11 October 2014 that in partnership with Saban Brands, Cirque du Soleil Media would produce an animated children's (pre-school aged) series called Luna Petunia and the showrunner was announced as children's TV writer Bradley Zweig. The plot revolves around a little girl who plays in a dreamland where she learns how to make the impossible possible. It began airing on Netflix in September 2016.[85] On May 1, 2018, Saban Brands sold Luna Petunia to Hasbro.[86]

The Wiz

In a collaboration with Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television, Cirque du Soleil co-produced the television broadcast of The Wiz Live! (based on the musical of the same name) which aired in December 2015 on NBC. Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon directed the show along with Broadway writer/actor Harvey Fierstein, who contributed new material to the original Broadway script. Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Stephanie Mills, Ne-Yo, David Alan Grier, Common, Elijah Kelley, Amber Riley, and Uzo Aduba and newcomer Shanice Williams are set to star. It was speculated that a live version of the show would play on Broadway during the 2016-2017 season, however this plan fell through.[87]

Grand chapiteau tours

Cirque du Soleil's grand chapiteau at night
Night shot of Quidam's grand chapiteau in Barcelona, Spain

Cirque du Soleil shows normally tour under a grand chapiteau (i.e. big top) for an extended period of time until they are modified, if necessary, for touring in arenas and other venues. The infrastructure that tours with each show could easily be called a mobile village; it includes the Grand Chapiteau, a large entrance tent, artistic tent, kitchen, school, and other items necessary to support the cast and crew.[88]

The company's tours have significant financial impacts on the cities they visit by renting lots for shows, parking spaces, selling and buying promotions, and contributing to the local economy with hotel stays, purchasing food, and hiring local help. For example, during its stay in Santa Monica, California, Koozå brought an estimated US$16,700,000 (equivalent to $19,049,449 in 2017) to the city government and local businesses.[89]

Koozå's grand chapiteau in Santiago, Chile

Discography

Filmography

Cirque du Soleil Images creates original products for television, video and DVD and distributes its productions worldwide.

Its creations have been awarded numerous prizes and distinctions, including two Gemini Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award for Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within (in 2003) and three Primetime Emmy Awards for Dralion (in 2001).

YearTitleNotes
1985Cirque du SoleilA film adaptation of the production Cirque du Soleil. Filmed live in Montréal in 1985. Only broadcast on television.[90]
1988La Magie ContinueA film adaptation of the production La Magie Continue. Filmed live in Toronto in 1986.
1990Le Cirque RéinventéA film adaptation of the production Le Cirque Réinventé. Filmed live in Montréal in 1988.
1991Quel CirqueA look into the creation of Nouvelle Expérience. Either out of print or unreleased.
1992Nouvelle ExpérienceA film adaptation of the production Nouvelle Expérience. Filmed in live Toronto in 1991.
1992Saltimbanco's DiaryA behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of Saltimbanco. Either out of print or unreleased.
1994SaltimbancoFilm adaptation of Saltimbanco as directed by Jacques Payette. Filmed live in Atlanta in 1993.
1994A Baroque OdysseyA 10-year anniversary retrospective. Additional film shot in Montréal.
1994The Truth of IllusionDocumentary about the production Alegría. Filmed in Montréal in 1994. Out of print.
1996Full Circle: The Making of QuidamA behind-the-scenes look at the making of Quidam. Filmed in Montréal in 1996. Out of print.
1999QuidamA film adaption of the production Quidam as directed by David Mallet. Filmed live in Amsterdam in 1999.
1999Alegría, the FilmA fictional story loosely inspired by the stage production Alegría, directed by Franco Dragone.
1999In the Heart of DralionBehind the scenes of Dralion. Released along with the Dralion film adaptation DVD.
2000Journey of ManA compilation of acts from various Cirque du Soleil shows including Mystère and Quidam. This movie was shot in wide format and released at IMAX theaters.
2000Inside La Nouba: From Conception to PerceptionHighlights of the show and interviews with creators. Out of print.
2001DralionA film adaptation of the production Dralion, directed by Guy Caron and David Mallet. Filmed live in San Francisco in 2000.
2002AlegríaA film adaptation of the production Alegría, as directed by Nick Morris. Filmed live in Sydney in 2001.
2002Cirque du Soleil: Fire WithinA 13-episode inside look into the creation and production of Varekai shown on Bravo. Filmed mainly in Montréal.
2003VarekaiFilm adaptation of the touring show Varekai, directed by Dominic Champagne and Nick Morris. Filmed live in Toronto in 2002.
2003SolstromA 13-episode series using various acts from Cirque du Soleil and other productions shown on Bravo. Each episode has a different theme. Filmed in Montréal in 2003.
2004Midnight SunFilmed live at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal on 11 July 2004, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and Cirque du Soleil's 20th anniversary.
2004La NoubaA film adaptation of the production show La Nouba, directed by David Mallet. Filmed live in Orlando in 2003.
2005Kà ExtremeA documentary which explores the production of Kà by following the show's evolution from early rehearsals through to the first public performance.
2006CorteoFilm adaptation of the touring show Corteo, directed by Jocelyn Barnabé. Filmed live in Toronto in 2005.
2006LovesickFilmed over two years and set in Las Vegas during the creation of the cabaret-style production, Zumanity. Filmed in Las Vegas.
2007Flow: A Tribute to the Artists of "O"A homage to the artists of "O" that provides an in-depth documentary of the Las Vegas aquatic extravaganza. Filmed in Las Vegas in 2007.
2007The Mystery of MystèreA documentary about Mystère, the critically acclaimed theatrical production playing at the permanent location at the Treasure Island Resort. Filmed in Las Vegas in 2007.
2007A Thrilling Ride through KoozaA short documentary filmed during the creation period of Koozå. Filmed in Montréal in 2007.
2007Kà - BackstageFilmed exclusively for French language TV channel Arte and the German national TV channel, ZDF.[91] The performance in its entirety was broadcast on the latter.
2008KoozåFilm adaptation of the touring show Koozå, directed by Mario Janelle. Filmed live in Toronto in 2007.
2008DeliriumThe last performance of Delirium was filmed in London. This film was released in limited theatrical runs on 20 August and 15 October 2008.
2008All Together NowA documentary about the making of The Beatles Love.
2010Zed in TokyoA documentary filmed during the creation period of the Tokyo residency show, ZED.
2010Flowers in the DesertA look at all the Vegas shows including Viva Elvis.
2011Crossroads in MacaoA documentary filmed during the creation period of the Macao residency show, Zaia. Filmed in Macau in 2010.
2012Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour DocumentaryA documentary on the creation of the arena show Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour. Filmed in Montréal in 2011.
2012Cirque du Soleil: Worlds AwayCirque du Soleil partnered with James Cameron and Andrew Adamson in association with Reel FX Entertainment to produce this 3D motion picture.[92] Distributed worldwide by Paramount Pictures on 21 December 2012, the film tells the story of a girl named Mia going to a traveling circus and falling in love with its main attraction, the Aerialist. After the Aerialist falls during his act, he and Mia are transported to another world where each encounter the different worlds of Cirque du Soleil through O, Mystère, Kà, The Beatles Love, Zumanity, Viva Elvis, and Criss Angel Believe.[93]
2013HatchingA documentary on the creation of the touring show Ovo. Filmed in Montréal in 2009.
2013AmalunaFilm adaptation of the touring show Amaluna, directed by Mario Janelle. Filmed live in Toronto in 2012.
2015Cirque du Soleil: Le Grand ConcertA film adaptation of The 30th Anniversary Concert, produced by Echo Media exclusively for French Canadian language TV channel Ici Radio-Canada Télé. Filmed live in Montréal on 23 December 2014.[94][95]
2016Toruk - The First FlightFilm adaption of the touring show Toruk - The First Flight inspired by James Cameron's film Avatar. Filmed live at the world premiere in Montréal in December 2015 and first released through the merchandising stands of various shows in July 2016.
2016LuziaFilm adaptation of the touring show Luzia, directed by Mario Janelle. Filmed live in Montréal in May 2016 and later released at the San Francisco premiere in November 2016.
2016Luna PetuniaCanadian-American animated television series produced by Cirque du Soleil Media with Saban Capital Group and BrainPower Studio.[96] The series premiered on Netflix on December 9, 2016.[97] Four new seasons were launched during 2017 and 2018.[98][99][100]

On May 1, 2018, Saban Brands sold Luna Petunia to Hasbro.[86]

2017KuriosFilm adaptation of the touring show Kurios which was filmed in Miami in December 2016. It was released at the show's boutique shop in May 2017.
2017OFilmed in October 2017 for French language TV channel Arte and first broadcast on 27 December 2017.[101]
2018VoltaFilm adaptation of the touring show Volta, filmed in Montréal in 2017 and released on Bell Fibe TV in 2018.[102]

Firing of HIV-positive artist

In November 2003, gymnast Matthew Cusick (represented by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund) filed a discrimination complaint against Cirque du Soleil in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.[103][104] Cusick (a trainee performer who was scheduled to begin working at Mystère) alleged that in April 2002, Cirque du Soleil fired him because he tested HIV-positive, even though company doctors had already cleared him as healthy enough to perform. Cirque du Soleil alleged that due to the nature of Cusick's disease coupled with his job's high risk of injury, there was a significant risk of his infecting other performers, crew or audience members.[105] Cirque du Soleil said that they had several HIV-positive employees, but in the case of Cusick, the risk of him spreading his infection while performing was too high to take the risk. A boycott ensued and Just Out ran a story on it (with the headline "Flipping off the Cirque").[106] Cirque du Soleil settled with Cusick in April 2004; under the settlement, the company began a company-wide anti-discrimination training program, changed its employment practices pertaining to HIV-positive applicants; paid Cusick $60,000 in lost wages, $200,000 in front pay, and $300,000 in compensatory damages; and paid $40,000 in attorney fees to Lambda Legal.[103][106][104]

An additional complaint was filed on Cusick's behalf by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. Their complaint stemmed the City of San Francisco's ban on city contracting with employers that discriminate based on HIV status; the circus leases property owned by the city-owned Port of San Francisco.[107]

Cirque du Soleil opposed Neil Goldberg and his company Cirque Productions over its use of the word "Cirque" in the late 1990s. Goldberg's company was awarded a trademark on its name "Cirque Dreams" in 2005.[108][109]

In August 1999, Fremonster Theatrical filed an application for the trademark Cirque de Flambé. This application was opposed by the owners of the Cirque du Soleil trademark in August 2002, on the grounds that it would cause confusion and "[dilute] the distinctive quality" of Cirque du Soleil's trademarks. A judge dismissed the opposition and the Cirque de Flambé trademark application was approved in 2005.[110][111]

In April 2016, Cirque du Soleil filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Sony Music Entertainment in federal court in New York, alleging that Timberlake's song "Don't Hold the Wall" (co-written with Timbaland) from his third studio album The 20/20 Experience (2013) infringed the copyright of Cirque du Soleil's song "Steel Dream" from its 1997 album Quidam.[112]

H.B. 2 law in North Carolina

In 2016, Cirque du Soleil announced the cancellation of all its 2016 touring shows to North Carolina, citing the recent signing of the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act by North Carolina governor Pat McCrory. This cancelations affected OVO in both Greensboro and Charlotte, and Toruk in Raleigh. The company announced in a press release that "Cirque du Soleil strongly believes in diversity and equality for every individual and is opposed to discrimination in any form. The new HB2 legislation passed in North Carolina is an important regression to ensuring human rights for all."[113] Cirque has been criticized for this decision and accused of taking a double standard, for cancelling the shows in North Carolina while many times they have performed their shows in countries like the United Arab Emirates which violates a number of fundamental human rights.[114]

Fatalities

In 2009, 24-year-old performer Oleksandr "Sacha" Zhurov, of Ukraine, died at a hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from head injuries he had sustained during a training session.[115] He had been with the company only a few months at the time of the accident.[116] An initial report of the incident said Zhurov had fallen off a trampoline but, in 2010, it was reported he had fallen while using a Russian Varekai swing.[117] An investigation by Quebec's occupational-safety board decided that while Zhurov made the error that ultimately resulted in his death, the company should be fined $1,915.00 for failing to adequately determine the risks associated with equipment.[115]

In 2013, 31-year-old performer Sarah "Sasoun" Guyard-Guillot, of France, died in an ambulance en route to hospital as the result of blunt force trauma she'd sustained from a fall during a performance of Kà in Las Vegas, Nevada.[118][119][120] She'd been with the company since 2006.[121] It was originally thought that Guyard-Guillot's safety harness had failed her and that was what resulted in her fall but, in actuality, a cable responsible for keeping her in air had been cut after accidentally being knocked loose by movement during the performance.[122][123] Reports as to how far Guyard-Guillot fell differ from source to source, with some saying she fell as little as 50 feet and others as much as 94 feet.[118][122] The show was cancelled but returned to the stage in December 2014, after an 18-month hiatus.[122] The company was fined as a result.[124]

In 2016, 42-year-old set technician Olivier Rochette, of Canada, died in San Francisco, California from head injuries he had sustained after accidentally being hit in the head by an aerial lift while preparing for a production of Luzia.[125][126] Rochette was the son of Cirque du Soleil co-founder, Gilles Ste-Croix.[125]

In 2018, 38-year-old performer Yann Arnaud, of France, died at a hospital in Tampa, Florida after falling during a performance of Volta.[127][128] He had been with the company for 15 years.[129][130]

References

  1. ↑ Sylt, Christian; Reid, Caroline (23 January 2011). "Cirque du Soleil swings to $1bn revenue as it mulls shows at O2". The Independent. UK.
  2. ↑ Deb, Sopan (2017). "Blue Man Group Is Bought by Cirque du Soleil, With Plans to Expand". New York Times.
  3. ↑ Circus arts in America and in Canada (PDF), Regroupement national - des arts du cirque. Accessed on 11 October 2013.
  4. ↑ Brigitte Bélanger (14 April 1999). "Cirque du Soleil". Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
  5. ↑ Adam Sandler (28 August 2006). "Guy Laliberte: Cirque's shining light". Variety. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  6. ↑ John Rockwell (5 May 2006). "The Soleil Never Sets". New York Times.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Babinski, Tony (2004). Cirque du Soleil: 20 years under the sun. Harry N. Abrams Inc. ISBN 0-8109-4636-X.
  8. ↑ "Collins, Glenn Run Away to the Circus? No need. It's Staying Here". The New York Times. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Official Cirque du Soleil Website". Cirquedusoleil.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  10. 1 2 Hermann, Eve M. B. "Guy Laliberté". Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  11. ↑ McArthur, Rachel."Cirque du Soleil Show Dubai". Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  12. 1 2 Sylt, Christian."Cirque du Soleil may leap for new partner"
  13. ↑ Matthew Miller, 03.15.04 (15 March 2004). "forbes.com". Forbes. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  14. ↑ Alex Pham (13 June 2010). "Microsoft uses Cirque du Soleil to introduce top-secret video game technology". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  15. ↑ Cirque du Soleil. "Awards and Distinctions". Retrieved 12 August 2007.
  16. ↑ "GalaFilm News". Archived from the original on 7 July 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  17. ↑ "Guy Laliberte Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame". Dance.broadwayworld.com. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  18. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil biography". Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "VOLUNTARY ANNOUNCEMENT INVESTMENT IN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL" (PDF). Fosun International. Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil's second act - Al Jazeera English". Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil sale to American, Chinese private equity firms gets approval". CBC News. The Canadian Press. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  22. 1 2 Bell, Karen (Summer 1993). Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada.
  23. ↑ Molaro, Regina. "Creative Mystique". Archived from the original on 12 February 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  24. ↑ Eve M. B. Hermann. "Laliberté, Guy". Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  25. ↑ Morgan, Kaya. "Billionaire Head of the World's Fastest Growing Circus". Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  26. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Tickets: Cirque Attempted to Revive one of its Previous Shows". Articles Shop. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  27. ↑ Rushing, Kelly. "Thinking Outside the Big Top: Transformations of Ritual and Culture in the American Circus". Archived from the original on 3 November 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  28. ↑ Solman, Paul. "Cirque du Soleil". Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  29. ↑ Miller, Matthew (15 March 2004). "The Acrobat". Forbes. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  30. ↑ CBC News (8 July 2015). "CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  31. ↑ Richard Russo (10 May 2008). "Cirque du Soleil and KNIE, 1992". Fascination! Newsletter.
  32. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil: les plans pour Hangzhou se précisent - Jean Siag - Cirque". 30 October 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  33. ↑ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201806/09/WS5b1b3551a31001b82571f132_3.html
  34. ↑ "Grupo Vidanta and Cirque du Soleil Expand Partnership to Create World's First Entertainment Park Animated by Cirque du Soleil". cirquedusoleil.com. Cirque Du Soleil. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  35. ↑ Forgione, Mary. "Cirque du Soleil plans its first theme park, chooses Mexico site". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  36. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Theme Park Resort". facebook.com. Goddard Group. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  37. ↑ Informativo, Plano. "Cirque du Soleil abrirá parque temático en México". Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  38. ↑ "Themeparx Cirque Du Soleil Page".
  39. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Show Dubai". www.destination360.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  40. ↑ https://www.malaymail.com/s/1380087/dubai-to-build-two-artificial-islands-for-us1.7b-in-time-for-expo-2020
  41. ↑ http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=10164
  42. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Commits to a Permanent Show in American Dream Mall, NJ". 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  43. ↑ "The American Dream Mall Is a Nightmare for New Jersey". Retrieved 19 March 2018 – via www.bloomberg.com.
  44. ↑ http://www.njfamily.com/American-Dream-Meadowlands-Is-Slated-to-Finally-Open-in-March-2019/
  45. ↑ "Cirque Comes to Mumbai as Part of "Visit Maharashtra" Initiative".
  46. ↑ "Cirque Du Soliel Bazzar 2018 India Tickets".
  47. ↑ "Cirque Announces BAZZAR for 2018 in India".
  48. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil eyes international expansion with new show priced for emerging markets".
  49. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil's Bazzar will be its first show to play India".
  50. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil webpage".
  51. ↑ Clark, Darcy (12 Dec 2017). "New Cirque du Soleil Show in Development for Disney Springs, 2017". Disney Parks Blog.
  52. ↑ The Point. "Cirque du Monde". Retrieved 19 August 2007.
  53. ↑ "Arts visuels—Le Cirque du Soleil vient en aide aux artistes urbains" (in French). Rue Frontenac. 8 February 2011. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  54. ↑ "Safewalls – An artistic project curated by Cirque du Soleil bringing the time-honoured circus poster into the 21st century". Cirque du Soleil (Press Release). 3 February 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  55. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil and Desigual Sign a Worldwide Partnership". 1 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  56. ↑ "Movi.Kanti.Revo: Google And Cirque Du Soleil Launch A "Sensory Chrome Experiment"". TechCrunch.com. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  57. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Special Events Division Expands to Become 45 Degrees (Press Release)". 45degrees.com. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  58. ↑ Vigeant, Caroline. "Pour son 25e anniversaire: «Alegria» sous chapiteau en avril 2019". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  59. ↑ Toni Thompson. "Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences press release". Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
  60. ↑ Cirque du Soleil. "Soleil de Minuit press release". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
  61. ↑ Linda Garrison. "Celebrity Cruises and Cirque du Soleil introduce new program at sea". Archived from the original on 30 April 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
  62. ↑ "Celebrity Puts Cirque on Hiatus". Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  63. ↑ Cirque du Soleil. "Reflections in Blue". Archived from the original on 14 September 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
  64. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil to perform in Super Bowl XLI pregame show" Archived 6 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. 9 January 2006.
  65. ↑ Video of Il Sogno Di Volare
  66. ↑ "Canada Pavilion for Expo 2010 Shanghai China". Arch Tracker. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  67. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil to Present Exclusive One-Time Only Performance at the 84th Academy Awards. Troupe will Pay Tribute to Hollywood's Biggest Night with its Largest Ensemble Cast Ever Assembled in One Act". 17 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  68. ↑ Pat Donnelly (25 February 2012). "Cirque du Soleil gearing up for a prime-time Oscar performance". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  69. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Invited to be part of the opening ceremonies of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 to take place in Baku" (PDF). 12 September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  70. ↑ "Scalada, a Free Outdoor Event in Andorra". Cirque du Soleil. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013.
  71. ↑ "Church frames Cirque du Soleil's enthralling 30th-anniversary concert". montrealgazette.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  72. ↑ "Fountainhead Conceptualises Aditya Birla Awards 2015 - Features an Art Deco-Inspired Setup". Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  73. ↑ "Nouveau spectacle nocturne du Futuroscope: "La Forge aux étoiles", une "Aquaféerie" imaginée par les créateurs du Cirque du Soleil, en exclusivité mondiale" (in French). Futuroscope News. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  74. ↑ "Le Cirque du Soleil au Futuroscope". Le Figaro (in French). 12 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  75. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil invites you to DIVA - DIVA Andorra". scalada.visitandorra.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  76. ↑ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Arts -. "Controverse entourant l'hommage aux Colocs : le Cirque du Soleil fait son mea culpa". Radio-Canada.ca. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  77. ↑ "Hakkasan Group is out of Light — and so is Cirque du Soleil". 7 October 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  78. ↑ Haya Zoubi. "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
  79. ↑ "Las Vegas Ultra Lounge Revolution". The Light Group. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  80. ↑ "Las Vegas Ultra Lounge Gold". The Light Group. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  81. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Lounges". Cirque du Soleil. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  82. ↑ "Gold Lounge" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil (Press Material). Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  83. 1 2 3 "Reviving Las Vegas With Less Sin, More City". 91.9 FM WUOT. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  84. ↑ "LIGHT Nightclub". mandalaybay.com. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  85. ↑ "Netflix announces Cirque du Soleil". the hollywood reporter. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  86. 1 2 "Hasbro Acquires Entire Power Rangers Property From Saban". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  87. ↑ Agard, Chancellor (28 July 2015). "Breaking News: Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige Will Ease on Down the Road in NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  88. ↑ "Totem: Press Kit" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  89. ↑ "City Hall close to bringing back Cirque du Soleil". Santa Monica Daily Press. 26 April 2011. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012.
  90. ↑ "Le Cirque du Soleil - Tournee 85/Le Grand Tour (1985)".
  91. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Documentaries Complete List". roysac.com. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  92. ↑ "Creative Forces Cirque du Soleil, James Cameron, and Andrew Adamson, in association with Reel FX Entertainment, form partnership to produce Cirque-inspired, immersive 3D experiences". Cirque du Soleil (Press Release). 14 December 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  93. ↑ "Paramount and Cirque du Soleil to Partner on "Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away", Written and Directed by Andrew Adamson, and Presented by James Cameron. Studio to Release the 3D Event Film, Worldwide in 2012". Cirque du Soleil (Press Release). Cirque du Soleil. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  94. ↑ "Anniversary Concert Filmed – to Air in Quebec on ICI Radio-Canada TV!". cirquefascination.com. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  95. ↑ "Le Cirque du Soleil: Le Grand Concert". ici.tou.tv/. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  96. ↑ Padovano, Joanna (12 December 2014). "Saban Brands Expands with New Lifestyle & Entertainment Units". World Screen. WSN INC. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. The unit includes such existing powerhouse properties as Power Rangers, Julius Jr. and Digimon Fusion, as well as Popples, Luna Petunia and Emojiville, which are in development.
  97. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (3 June 2015). "Netflix Acquires 'Cirque du Soleil — Luna Petunia' Kids Series". The Hollywood Reporter.
  98. ↑ https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/other-activities/luna%20petunia
  99. ↑ Robinson, Joanna. "What's New on Netflix in February". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  100. ↑ Bowman, Sabienna. "Luna Petunia: Return to Amazia, Season 2". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  101. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil: "O"". arte.tv. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  102. ↑ ""Volta"". tv1.bellaliant.ca. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  103. 1 2 Hayley Gorenberg (Fall 2004). "Confronting HIV discrimination in the workplace: A case study". Human Rights Magazine. American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice. 31 (4).
  104. 1 2 Sarah Kaufman, Fired by Cirque du Soleil, Matthew Cusick Landed on His Feet, Washington Post (13 September 2011).
  105. ↑ Patrick Letellier (30 March 2003). "Stronger than the mighty Cirque". The Advocate.
  106. 1 2 Bryan Anderton. "D.C. gymnast says Cirque "crushed" his dream". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  107. ↑ Hua, Vanessa (22 November 2003). "S.F. to probe firing of circus worker". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  108. ↑ "Cirque Dreams founder sets his creation apart". Tampa Bay Times. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  109. ↑ "Word Mark: CIRQUE DREAMS". United States Patent and Trademark Office. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  110. ↑ "THE DREAM MERCHANT COMPANY, KFT. v. FREMONSTER THEATRICAL. Opposition No. 91152686" (PDF). United States Patent and Trademark Office. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  111. ↑ "Word Mark: CIRQUE DE FLAMBE". United States Patent and Trademark Office. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  112. ↑ Justin Timberlake sued by Cirque du Soleil over hit song, Reuters (1 April 2016).
  113. ↑ "Cirque Du Soleil Will Not Perform In North Carolina". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  114. ↑ Ng, David. "For Cirque, Disney and others, does standing up for LGBT rights require ethical acrobatics?". latimes.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  115. 1 2 The Canadian Press (23 June 2010). "Cirque du soleil fined for accident that killed acrobat". Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  116. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil performer dies of head injuries | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  117. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil performer dies after trampoline fall". CTVNews. 2009-10-17. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  118. 1 2 Cohen, David S. (2013-07-01). "Cirque du Soleil Denies Safety Harness Failed in Fatal Fall". Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  119. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Tragedy Puts Focus on Aerial Acts". Wall Street Journal. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  120. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil artist killed in fall from stage during 'Ka' at MGM Grand". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  121. ↑ Nestruck, Kelly (2013-07-09). "Performer's on-stage death adds to Cirque du Soleil's troubles". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  122. 1 2 3 "Sarah Guillot-Guyard's family 'has been taken care of' as Final Battle Scene returns to 'Ka'". LasVegasSun.com. 2014-12-09. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  123. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil Performer's Death Ruled Accidental". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  124. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil tech dies on set". BBC News. 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  125. 1 2 "Son of Cirque du Soleil co-founder dies after accident at 'Luzia' show in San Francisco". Global News. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  126. ↑ Haworth, Jessica (2016-12-01). "Founder of Cirque du Soleil's son killed in freak circus accident". mirror. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  127. ↑ "Un artiste du Cirque du Soleil meurt après une chute sur scène". Le journal de Montréal. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  128. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil aerobatics star plunges to death during Florida show". NBC News. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  129. ↑ "Video: Horrifying moment Cirque de Soleil performer falls to his death | Daily Mail Online". Mail Online. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  130. ↑ "French Cirque du Soleil performer dies after fall at Florida show". CTVNews. 2018-03-18. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  • Official website
  • "Cirque du Soleil collected news and commentary". The New York Times.
  • The Cirque: An American Odyssey, documentary film about Cirque du Soleil's 1988 U.S. tour, National Film Board of Canada

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.