After having suffered losses of several million dollars with the pandemic, Cirque du Soleil experienced certain attendance records last year. The newspaper took stock with the company on the future of the show The Beatles LOVEthe birthdays planned for this year in Las Vegas, the revival of tours around the globe 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 spectators) and Luzia in Spain (236,000 spectators in Madrid and 109,000 in Alicante). In addition, several anniversaries will be celebrated in Las Vegas this year: 30e anniversary of Cirque du Soleil on the Strip (and its show Mystery), 25e show anniversary O et 10e birthday MJ One. “It’s a great accomplishment for our teams,” said Cirque spokesperson Caroline Couillard. It also demonstrates the quality of the product. »
Uncertain future for LOVE
Photo provided by Matt Beard, Cirque du Soleil
In 2021, Hard Rock International announced that it would purchase the Las Vegas hotel, The Mirage, and convert it into the Hard Rock Hotel. Last summer, the Cirque for its part indicated that the show The Beatles LOVE, which has been presented at the Mirage since 2006, was extended until the end of 2023. But beyond this date, nothing is less certain. “We are waiting for the new owners to know what their construction plans are,” says Caroline Couillard. We’ll see what that means for the future. »
The return of the tours
Photo d’archives, Chantal Poirier
When the pandemic hit, Cirque had to temporarily shut down its 44 current productions. Today, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group claims to have 38 active shows on the planet. “We are pretty much back to 100% of our operations,” says Caroline Couillard, who adds that the company currently employs 3,600 people around the world. For their part, the shows RUN, Axel, Zumanity, Volta et Paramour won’t come back.
Slow start in Florida
Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Having launched in Disney Springs, Florida in November 2021, a year and a half later than originally scheduled, the show Drawn to Life still suffering from the repercussions of the pandemic. “It was difficult, admits Caroline Couillard. Disney had closed its parks. Startup is a bit slower. But it resumes. We also made some changes to the show. The team is in great shape. »
Tribute to Guy Lafleur
Photo d’archives, Getty Images
For the very first time in its tribute series, in Trois-Rivières, Cirque will shed light on a personality outside the world of music this summer. Like she did for Lionel Messi, with the show Messi 10 in Europe, the company will pay tribute to an athlete with a show regarding 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 will be on the man, the player, the hockey player. »
The echoes on ECHO
Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
First announced for Spring 2020, the show Under the same sky went back to the drawing board during the pandemic and will return in April, in the Old Port of Montreal, under the name ECHO. The media will also be able to visit the creation departments of this show next week. “We can’t wait to present it to our fans in Quebec,” said Ms.me Couillard. The production is going very well. We are on schedule. »
The impacts inflation
It is still too early to say what the impacts of inflation are on Cirque productions, according to Ms.me Couillard. “Obviously the recession might affect us on the touring side. It’s travel, transportation costs, the cost of gasoline that are increasing a lot. But we had planned it. We planned accordingly. We do not see a crisis on our side. »
