After suffering multimillion-dollar losses from the pandemic, Cirque du Soleil saw some attendance records last year. The newspaper took stock of the future of the trade fair with the company The Beatles LOVEthe birthdays planned for this year in Las Vegas, the revival of touring around the world and the impact of inflation.
Records and new stages
Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Some Cirque shows set attendance records in specific cities in 2022: Kooza in Montreal (270,000 viewers) and Luzia in Spain (236,000 viewers in Madrid and 109,000 in Alicante). In addition, several anniversaries will be celebrated in Las Vegas this year: 30 years of Cirque du Soleil on the Strip (and its show Mystère), 25 years of show O and 10 years of MJ One. “This is a great achievement for our teams,” said Cirque spokeswoman Caroline Couillard. It also shows the quality of the product. »
Uncertain future for LOVE
Photo provided by Matt Beard, Cirque du Soleil
In 2021, Hard Rock International announced it would purchase Las Vegas Hotel The Mirage and convert it into the Hard Rock Hotel. For its part, Cirque announced last summer that The Beatles LOVE show, which has been running at the Mirage since 2006, has been extended through 2023. “We’re waiting for the new owners to know what their blueprints are,” says Caroline Couillard. We’ll see what that means for the future. »
The return of the tours
Photo archive, Chantal Poirier
When the pandemic hit, Cirque had to temporarily halt its 44 current productions. Today, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group claims to have 38 active shows on the planet. “We’re pretty much back to 100% activity,” says Caroline Couillard, adding that the company currently employs 3,600 people worldwide. For their part, the shows RUN, Axel, Zumanity, Volta and Paramour will not be returning.
Slow start in Florida
Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
After launching in Disney Springs, Fla. in November 2021, a year and a half later than originally planned, the show Drawn to Life is still suffering from backlash from the pandemic. “It was difficult, admits Caroline Couillard. Disney had closed its parks. The start is a bit slower. But it goes on. We also made some changes to the show. The team is in top form. »
tribute to Guy Lafleur
File Photo, Getty Images
For the first time in its tribute series, Cirque will be spotlighting a personality outside of the music world in Trois-Rivières this summer. As with Lionel Messi, with the Messi 10 show in Europe, the company will pay tribute to an athlete with a show about Guy Lafleur. “We are in the first weeks of work. It will be a mix of music, acrobatics and archive footage, says Caroline Couillard. The emphasis is on the man, the player, the hockey player. »
The echoes on ECHO
Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Originally announced for spring 2020, Under the Same Sky returned to the drawing board during the pandemic and will return in April at Montreal’s Old Port under the ECHO moniker. The media can also visit the creation departments of this show next week. “We can’t wait to bring it to our fans in Quebec,” said Ms. Couillard. The production is going very well. We’re on schedule. »
The effects inflation
According to Ms. Couillard, it’s too early to tell what impact inflation is having on cirque productions. “Obviously the recession could hit us on the touring side. It is travel, transportation and fuel costs that are increasing sharply. But we had planned it. We have planned accordingly. We see no crisis on our side. »