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{{Short description|2006 theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil}}
{{Infobox stage production
{{Infobox stage production
| name = Love
| name = Love
Line 4: Line 5:
| image size = 250px
| image size = 250px
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Logo for Cirque du Soleil's ''The Beatles: Love''
| caption = Logo for Cirque du Soleil's updated ''The Beatles: Love'' used from 2016 (the 10th anniversary) to 2024
| company = [[Cirque du Soleil]]
| company = [[Cirque du Soleil]]
| genre = [[Contemporary circus]]
| genre = [[Contemporary circus]]
| type = Resident show
| type = Resident show
| premiere = June 30, 2006
| premiere = June 30, 2006
| finalshow =
| finalshow =July 7, 2024
| location = [[The Mirage]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]]
| location = [[The Mirage]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]]
| creatortitle1 = Director
| creatortitle1 = Director
Line 50: Line 51:
}}
}}


'''''Love''''' is a 2006 theatrical production by [[Cirque du Soleil]] which combines the re-produced and re-imagined music of [[the Beatles]] with an interpretive, circus-based artistic and athletic stage performance. The show plays at a specially built theatre at [[the Mirage]] in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]].
'''''Love''''' was a 2006 theatrical production by [[Cirque du Soleil]] which combined the re-produced and re-imagined music of [[the Beatles]] with an interpretive, [[circus]]-based artistic and athletic stage performance. The show played at a specially built theatre at [[the Mirage]] in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]].


A joint venture between Cirque and the Beatles' [[Apple Corps|Apple Corps Ltd]], it is the first theatrical production that Apple Corps Ltd. has partnered in. ''Love'' is written and directed by Dominic Champagne. [[Music director]]s are [[George Martin]], producer of nearly all of the Beatles' records, and his son, record producer [[Giles Martin]]. A [[Love (Beatles album)|soundtrack album of the show]] was released in November 2006.
A joint venture between Cirque and the Beatles' [[Apple Corps|Apple Corps Ltd]], it was the first theatrical production with which Apple Corps Ltd. partnered. ''Love'' was written and directed by Dominic Champagne. [[George Martin]], producer of nearly all of the Beatles' records, and his son, record producer [[Giles Martin]], were credited as [[music director]]s. A [[Love (Beatles album)|soundtrack album of the show]] was released in November 2006.

On April 10, 2024, Cirque du Soleil announced that the show was ending with a final performance on July 7, [[Ringo Starr]]’s 84th birthday. The Mirage will be redeveloped as a [[Hard Rock Cafe]] hotel and casino reopening in 2027. The Love Theatre will not be rebuilt in the new hotel, and no plans have been announced to reboot ''Love'' elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web | last = Katsilometes | first = John | title = 'A state of shock': The Beatles' 'Love' bows out after 18 years | date = 7 July 2024 | url = https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/a-state-of-shock-the-beatles-love-bows-out-after-18-years-3081776/ | publisher = Las Vegas Review-Journal | access-date = 8 August 2024 }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Love Cirque du Soleil Show Theatre Mirage Hotel Las Vegas.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Love Theatre at the Mirage Hotel]]
[[File:Love Cirque du Soleil Show Theatre Mirage Hotel Las Vegas.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Love Theatre at the Mirage Hotel]]
The project arose from discussions in 2000<ref>Wise, Thom (2006). "Made with Love". ''Las Vegas Magazine'' Volume 1, Number 18: 78–79.</ref> between [[George Harrison]] and his friend [[Guy Laliberté]], one of Cirque's founders. Three years of negotiations between surviving members of the Beatles, [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Ringo Starr]], The Beatles widows [[Olivia Harrison]] (representing George Harrison) and [[Yoko Ono]] (representing [[John Lennon]]), the Beatles' holding company Apple Corps Ltd. and the [[MGM Mirage]] culminated in an agreement.
The project arose from discussions in 2000<ref>Wise, Thom (2006). "Made with Love". ''Las Vegas Magazine'' Volume 1, Number 18: 78–79.</ref> between [[George Harrison]] and his friend [[Guy Laliberté]], one of Cirque's founders. Three years of negotiations between surviving band members [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Ringo Starr]], Beatles widows [[Olivia Harrison]] (representing George Harrison) and [[Yoko Ono]] (representing [[John Lennon]]), as well as Beatles' holding company Apple Corps Ltd. and the [[Mirage]] culminated in an agreement.
[[File:Beatles Love Cirque Du Soleil sign.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Love sign at the Mirage Hotel]]The first executive producer was [[Neil Aspinall]], then-manager of Apple Corps Ltd. Dominic Champagne shared show concept creator credit with Gilles Ste-Croix (a founder of Cirque). The creation director was Chantal Tremblay.
[[File:Beatles shop at the Mirage.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Beatles shop at the Mirage Hotel]]
⚫
Tickets went on sale April 19, 2006. Preview performances ran from June 2 to June 29. In attendance at the gala opening on June 30 were McCartney, Starr, Ono, [[Cynthia Lennon]], [[Julian Lennon]], Olivia and [[Dhani Harrison]], and [[George Martin]]. It was the biggest reunion of the Beatles' 'family' since the band's breakup. At the end of the show, McCartney, Starr, Olivia, Ono, and Martin went onstage.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}


⚫
On June 26, 2007, key parties met for the first anniversary of the show at [[the Mirage]]. McCartney, Starr, Olivia and Ono were interviewed by [[CNN]]'s [[Larry King]] shortly before the show began. The group unveiled a plaque at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas in memory of John Lennon and George Harrison.
⚫
The first executive producer was [[Neil Aspinall]], then-manager of Apple Corps Ltd. Dominic Champagne shares the show concept creator credit with Gilles Ste-Croix (a founder of Cirque), who is also credited as the director of creation. The creation director is Chantal Tremblay. Tickets went on sale April 19, 2006. Preview performances ran from June 2 to June 29. During these shows, including June 16 and June 17 which were attended by McCartney.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} In attendance at the gala opening on June 30 were McCartney, Starr, Ono, [[Cynthia Lennon]], [[Julian Lennon]], Olivia and [[Dhani Harrison]], and [[George Martin]]. It was the biggest reunion of the Beatles' 'family' since the band's breakup. At the end of the show, McCartney, Starr, Olivia, Ono and Martin went on stage.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}


⚫
Starting in late October 2010, Cirque du Soleil offered backstage tours of the Love Theatre. The experience allowed visitors to see the backstage wings, training rooms, costume workshop, and break area and go up to a catwalk into the sound and lighting booths. Not every experience was the same; the tour was conducted around a "regular day", so performers may have been training, rehearsing, or working out.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil |url=https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/love/default.aspx |access-date=2014-04-21 |publisher=Cirque du Soleil}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cirque: Backstage Pass |url=http://www.8newsnow.com/category/28259/8-news-now-video?clipId=5507979&a |access-date=2011-04-22 |publisher=Las Vegas News Now |archive-date=2012-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111164136/http://www.8newsnow.com/category/28259/8-news-now-video?clipId=5507979&a |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
On June 26, 2007, everyone met for the first anniversary of the show at [[the Mirage]], where the ''Love'' show is staged. McCartney, Starr, Olivia and Ono were interviewed by [[CNN]]'s [[Larry King]] shortly before the show began. The group unveiled a plaque at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas in memory of John Lennon and George Harrison.


Leading up to the show's 10th anniversary in July 2016, producers updated the production, making changes to imagery, costumes, and acts, as well as adding and removing some music.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leach |first=Robin |date=2016-02-16 |title=Major changes at Cirque's 'The Beatles Love' are two years in the making |work=Las Vegas Sun |url=http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2016/feb/16/major-changes-cirque-beatles-love-two-years-making/ |access-date=2016-02-19}}</ref>
⚫
Starting in late October 2010, Cirque du Soleil offered backstage tours of the ''Love'' theatre. The experience allows visitors to see the backstage wings, training rooms, costume workshop, and break area, and go up to a catwalk into the sound and lighting booths. Not every experience will be the same, as the tour is conducted around a "regular day", so performers may or may not be training, rehearsing, or even working out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/love/default.aspx|publisher=Cirque du Soleil|title=The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil|access-date=2014-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.8newsnow.com/category/28259/8-news-now-video?clipId=5507979&a|title=Cirque: Backstage Pass|publisher=Las Vegas News Now|access-date=2011-04-22}}</ref>


Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the show was shut down from March 2020 until August 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2020 |title=Cirque Du Soleil's 'Zumanity' Permanently Closing Due to COVID-19 |publisher=Travel and Leisure |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/theater-dance/cirque-du-soleils-zumanity-announces-permanent-closure}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=News 3 |date=August 27, 2021 |title=Sold-out crowd welcomes back 'The Beatles LOVE' at Mirage |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/sold-out-the-beatles-love-returns-mirage-las-vegas-cirque-du-soleil |website=[[KSNV]]}}</ref>
Leading up to the show's 10th anniversary in July 2016, producers updated the production, which included changes to imagery, costumes, and acts, as well as the addition and removal of pieces of music.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Leach
| first = Robin
| title = Major changes at Cirque’s ‘The Beatles Love’ are two years in the making
| newspaper = Las Vegas Sun
| date = 2016-02-16
| url = http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2016/feb/16/major-changes-cirque-beatles-love-two-years-making/
| access-date = 2016-02-19}}</ref>

As worldwide restrictions due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] were implemented, the show was shut down on 15 March 2020 but is scheduled to resume when the crisis is under control.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/theater-dance/cirque-du-soleils-zumanity-announces-permanent-closure|title=Cirque Du Soleil’s 'Zumanity' Permanently Closing Due to COVID-19|publisher=Travel and Leisure|date=17 November 2020}}</ref> It officially reopened on August 26, 2021, after being shut down for 17 months.[https://news3lv.com/news/local/sold-out-the-beatles-love-returns-mirage-las-vegas-cirque-du-soleil]


==Set and technical information==
==Set and technical information==
[[File:LOVE show.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The ''Love'' stage moments before start of show; two of the scrims can be seen.]]
[[File:LOVE show.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The ''Love'' stage moments before start of show; two of the scrims can be seen.]]
Created by French designer Jean Rabasse, the ''Love'' theater at The Mirage houses 6,351 speakers and 2,013 seats set around a central stage. Each seat is fitted with three speakers,<ref>Cope, Matthew (2006). ''Love Story.'' M Lifestyle Volume 4, Issue 3: 40-42.</ref> including a pair in the headrest. The sound system was designed by Jonathan Deans. The stage includes 11 lifts, 4 traps, and 13 automated tracks and trolleys. Each lift is capable of lifting 20,000 pounds
Created by French designer Jean Rabasse, the Love Theatre at the Mirage housed 6,351 speakers and 2,013 seats set around a central stage. Each seat was fitted with three speakers,<ref>Cope, Matthew (2006). ''Love Story.'' M Lifestyle Volume 4, Issue 3: 40-42.</ref> including a pair in the headrest. The sound system was designed by Jonathan Deans. The stage included 11 lifts, 4 traps, and 13 automated tracks and trolleys. Each lift was capable of lifting 20,000 pounds.


The LOVE theatre features 32 digital projectors that are used in the show. Everything is digital from source to screen, making very large high definition digital 100’ wide panoramic images. Video images on two walls above the audience on two sides of the auditorium emphasize elements of the show and provide transitions. High-definition projectors also create enormous images (designed by Francis Laporte) on four translucent screens that can be unfurled to divide the auditorium.
The Love Theatre featured 32 digital projectors. Video was digital from source-to-screen with high-definition 100’-wide panoramic images. Digital displays on two walls above the audience emphasized elements of the show and provided transitions. High-definition projectors also created enormous images (designed by Francis Laporte) on four translucent screens that could be unfurled to divide the auditorium.


The ''Love'' theater, which replaced the [[Siegfried & Roy]] theater at The Mirage, is said to have cost more than $100 million. The theater is set up as a circular [[theatre in the round]], with seats 360 degrees around the stage. There are four balconies in the theater, and the furthest seat from the absolute center of the stage is only 98 feet.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} The closest seat to the absolute center of the stage is 23 feet and 4 inches, which is only 2 feet and 9 inches from the edge of the stage.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}
The Love Theatre, which replaced the [[Siegfried & Roy]] theater at the Mirage, was said to have cost more than $100 million. The venue was set up as a circular [[theatre in the round]] with seats 360 degrees around the stage. There were four balconies, and the furthest seat was only 98 feet from the center of the stage.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} The closest seat was 23 feet, 4 inches from the center of the stage and 2 feet, 9 inches from the edge of the stage.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}


==Storyline==
==Storyline==
The loose story of the production traces the Beatles’ biography in broad strokes from [[the Blitz]], through the band's founding and climb into superstardom, their psychedelic and spiritual works and their break-up in 1970. The finale is a joyous celebration of The Beatles' "reunion" that the show itself represents.
The loose story of the production traced the Beatles' biography in broad strokes from [[the Blitz]] through the band's founding and climb into superstardom, their psychedelic and spiritual works, and their break-up in 1970. The finale was a joyous celebration of The Beatles' "reunion" that the show itself represented.


''Love'' traces this path without relying on literal or historical representations of individual people. Its landscape is inhabited by fictional characters plucked from the Beatles' lyrics. [[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper]], a central figure, encounters many familiar faces, including [[Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds|Lucy in the Sky]], [[Eleanor Rigby]], [[Lady Madonna]] and [[Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!|Mr. Kite]]. In an exception to this stylistic choice, the "[[Here Comes the Sun]]" scene features a character resembling [[Krishna]]. Similarly, several scenes include mop-topped, dark-haired figures in black suits who resemble the Beatles. The international cast totals 65 performers. Each song or medley is the name of a scene.
''Love'' traced this path without relying on literal or historical representations of individual people. Its landscape was inhabited by fictional characters plucked from the Beatles' lyrics. [[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper]], a central figure, encountered such characters as [[Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds|Lucy in the Sky]], [[Eleanor Rigby]], [[Lady Madonna]], and [[Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!|Mr. Kite]]. In exceptions to this stylistic choice, the "[[Here Comes the Sun]]" scene featured a character resembling [[Krishna]], and several scenes included mop-topped, dark-haired figures in black suits who resembled the early Beatles. The international cast totaled 65 performers.


==Characters==
==Characters==
[[File:Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE Colorful Hallway.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Love'' entrance at the Mirage]]
[[File:Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE Colorful Hallway.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Love'' entrance at the Mirage]]
''Love'' has a plethora of characters which are inspired by the music of the Beatles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/love/characters.aspx?scrollsection=showWrapper|title=Love: Characters|publisher=Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit)|access-date=2014-04-21}}</ref>
''Love'' had a plethora of characters inspired by the music of the Beatles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love: Characters |url=http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/love/characters.aspx?scrollsection=showWrapper |access-date=2014-04-21 |publisher=Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit)}}</ref>
* '''[[Doctor Robert]]''': The host of ''Love''.
* '''[[Doctor Robert]]''', the host of ''Love''
* '''[[Eleanor Rigby]]''': An English woman.
* '''[[Eleanor Rigby]]''', an English woman
* '''[[Eleanor Rigby|Father McKenzie]]''': A preacher from older times.
* '''[[Eleanor Rigby|Father McKenzie]]''', a preacher from older times
* '''[[The Fool on the Hill|Fool]]''': A strange man on Roller skates.
* '''[[The Fool on the Hill|Fool]]''', a strange man on roller skates
* '''Groupies''': The unrelenting fans of the Beatles
* '''Groupies''', unrelenting fans of the Beatles
* '''[[Her Majesty (song)|Her Majesty]]''': As a symbol of pride for the nation, she is often seen in a large oval frame.
* '''[[Her Majesty (song)|Her Majesty]]''', a symbol of pride for the nation, often seen in a large oval frame
* '''[[Julia (The Beatles song)|Julia]]''': Evokes [[John Lennon]]'s mother, [[Julia Lennon]].
* '''[[Julia (The Beatles song)|Julia]]''', evoking [[John Lennon]]'s mother, [[Julia Lennon]]
* '''[[Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!|Mr. Kite]] and [[Helter Skelter (song)|Helter Skelter]]''':.
* '''[[Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!|Mr. Kite]] and [[Helter Skelter (song)|Helter Skelter]]'''
* '''Kids of Liverpool'''
* '''Kids of Liverpool'''
* '''[[My Sweet Lord|Krishna]]''': Unites the cultures and sounds of the East and West.
* '''[[My Sweet Lord|Krishna]]''', uniting the cultures and sounds of East and West
* '''[[Lady Madonna]]''': A character who represents motherhood.
* '''[[Lady Madonna]]''', representing motherhood
* '''[[Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds|Lucy]] and the [[Penny Lane|Firemen]]''': A duo of lovers.
* '''[[Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds|Lucy]] and the [[Penny Lane|Fireman]]''', a duo of lovers
* '''[[Piggies|Mr. Piggy]]''': Represents the [[Aristocracy (class)|aristocratic]] traditional values.
* '''[[Piggies|Mr. Piggy]]''', representing traditional values of the [[aristocracy]]
* '''[[Nowhere Man (song)|Nowhere Men]]''': Represent the [[zeitgeist]] of ''Love''. The Nowhere men are four characters: Pink Nowhere man, Dr Robert, the Fool, and Eggman.
*'''[[Nowhere Man (song)|Nowhere Men]]''', representing the [[zeitgeist]] of ''Love''. Four characters comprised the Nowhere men: Pink Nowhere man, Dr Robert, the Fool, and Eggman
* '''[[Penny Lane|Nurses]]''': The caregiving stagehands of ''Love''.
* '''[[Penny Lane|Nurses]]''', the caregiving stagehands of ''Love''
* '''Sailors'''
* '''Sailors'''
* '''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper]]''': A Ringmaster-like character.
* '''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper]]''', a circus [[Ringmaster (circus)|ringmaster]]-like character
* '''[[A Day In The Life|Sugar Plum Fairy]]''': A charming disc jockey.
* '''[[A Day In The Life|Sugar Plum Fairy]]''', a charming [[disc jockey]]
* '''[[Teddy Boy (song)|Teddy Boys]]'''
* '''[[Teddy Boy (song)|Teddy Boys]]'''
* '''[[I Am the Walrus|Eggman]]''': A Breakdancer.
* '''[[I Am the Walrus|Eggman]]''', a [[breakdancer]]


==Acts==
==Acts==
''Love'' features elaborate choreography and various acrobatic and aerial performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/love/acts.aspx?scrollsection=showWrapper|title=LOVE: Acts|publisher=Cirque du Soleil|access-date=2014-04-21}}</ref>
''Love'' featured elaborate choreography and various acrobatic and aerial performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LOVE: Acts |url=http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/love/acts.aspx?scrollsection=showWrapper |access-date=2014-04-21 |publisher=Cirque du Soleil}}</ref>


* [[Come Together]]
* [[Come Together]]
Line 119: Line 116:
* Solo Bar
* Solo Bar
* [[Trapeze]]
* [[Trapeze]]
* [[Here Comes the Sun]] - [[Corde lisse|Rope contortion]]
* [[Here Comes the Sun]] - [[Corde lisse|rope contortion]]
* Aerial [[Russian swing]] (Kris Carrison)
* Aerial [[Russian swing]] (Kris Carrison)
* [[Sgt. Pepper]] - [[Jultagi|Korean rope]]
* [[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper]] - [[Jultagi|Korean rope]]
* [[Back in the U.S.S.R.]] - [[Trampoline]]
* [[Back in the U.S.S.R.]] - [[Trampoline]]
* Latex rope
* Latex rope
* [[Help!]] - [[Rollerblades|Skater]]
* [[Help! (song)|Help!]] - [[Rollerblades|Skater]]
* [[Spanish web]]
* [[Spanish web]]
* [[Free running]]
* [[Free running]]


==Costumes==
==Costumes==
Philippe Guilottel, ''Love'''s costume designer, wanted to infuse the same spirit of the Beatles into the costumes for ''Love''. Many include juxtaposed elements, such as traditional and [[Victorian fashion]]s being combined with colorful, imaginative designs. Many of the costumes are highly sophisticated and voluminous, almost as if taken from a cartoon. For example, [[Savile Row]] tailoring traditions were utilized for the Sgt. Pepper Parade, turning the outfits inside out.<ref>{{cite book |title= Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes |last= Clément |first= Ronald |year= 2009 |publisher= Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |location= Canada |isbn= 978-2-9803493-4-8 |pages= 96–101 |language= zh, en, fr, ja}}</ref>
Philippe Guilottel, ''Love''{{'}}s costume designer, wanted to infuse the same spirit of the Beatles into the costumes for ''Love''. Many garbs included juxtaposed elements such as traditional and [[Victorian fashion]]s combined with colorful, imaginative designs. Many of the costumes were highly sophisticated and voluminous, almost as if taken from a cartoon. For example, [[Savile Row]] tailoring traditions were utilized for the Sgt. Pepper Parade, turning the outfits inside out.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clément |first=Ronald |title=Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes |publisher=Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |year=2009 |isbn=978-2-9803493-4-8 |location=Canada |pages=96–101 |language=zh, en, fr, ja}}</ref>


==Music==
==Music==
{{further|Love (Beatles album)|Cirque du Soleil discography#Love}}
{{further|Love (Beatles album)|Cirque du Soleil discography#Love}}
Unlike most other Cirque productions, which feature live music, ''Love'' uses prerecorded material from The Beatles catalog. Many of the original [[Abbey Road Studios]] recording session tapes have been reorchestrated and inspired ''Love'''s dance, acrobatics, as well as visual and theatrical effects. Sir George Martin, The Beatles original producer, and his son Giles Martin worked with the entire archive of
Unlike most other Cirque productions, which feature live music, ''Love'' used prerecorded material from the Beatles' catalog. Many of the original [[Abbey Road Studios]] recording session tapes were re-orchestrated and inspired the show's dance, acrobatics, visual and theatrical effects. George Martin, the Beatles' original producer, and his son Giles Martin worked with the entire archive of Beatles recordings to create the musical component for ''Love''. The result was an unprecedented approach to the music for a stage production. ''Love'' sampled 120 songs to create 27 musical pieces. The songs were mixed so that the lyrics and instrumentation from one song blended into the next.

Beatles recordings to create the musical component for ''Love''. The result is an unprecedented approach to the
music for a stage production. ''Love'' samples 120 songs to create 27 musical pieces. The songs are mixed so that the lyrics and instrumentation from one song blend into the next. One musical highlight of the show is a new version of "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]", which matches the first studio demo of the song with a string arrangement written for ''Love'' by Sir George Martin.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|title=Love unveils new angle on Beatles|date=2006-11-17|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=2006-11-17|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6159426.stm}}</ref> A [[Love (The Beatles album)|commercial soundtrack of the show]] was released in November 2006.
One musical highlight of the show was a new version of "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]", which matched the first studio demo of the song with a string arrangement written for ''Love'' by George Martin; it was the only new piece of music in the show.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite web |date=2006-11-17 |title=Love unveils new angle on Beatles |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6159426.stm |access-date=2006-11-17 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> A [[Love (Beatles album)|commercial soundtrack of the show]] was released in November 2006.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
A documentary on the making of ''Love'' titled ''[[All Together Now (2008 film)|All Together Now]]'' was released on October 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web
A documentary on the making of ''Love'' titled ''[[All Together Now (2008 film)|All Together Now]]'' was released on October 20, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pre-Order 'All Together Now DVD' |url=http://beatles.fanfire.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/fanfire.woa/wa/product?sourceCode=BEAWEB&sku=BEA43388 |access-date=2008-07-19 |publisher=Apple Corps Ltd}}</ref>
| title = Pre-Order 'All Together Now DVD'
| publisher = Apple Corps Ltd
| url = http://beatles.fanfire.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/fanfire.woa/wa/product?sourceCode=BEAWEB&sku=BEA43388
| access-date = 2008-07-19 }}</ref>


The following scenes from ''Love'' are included in ''[[Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away]]'':
The following scenes from ''Love'' are included in ''[[Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away]]'':
Line 158: Line 151:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
*{{official|https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/love/default.aspx}}
* {{official|https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/love/default.aspx}}
*[http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/its-bigtop-beatles-by-george/2006/06/29/1151174333873.html It's big-top Beatles, by George]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/its-bigtop-beatles-by-george/2006/06/29/1151174333873.html It's big-top Beatles, by George]
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6724341 Something in the Way You Remix, NPR Interview with Giles Martin]
* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6724341 Something in the Way You Remix, NPR Interview with Giles Martin]


{{Cirque_du_Soleil}}
{{Cirque_du_Soleil}}
{{The Beatles main}}
{{The Beatles main}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Cirque du Soleil resident shows]]
[[Category:Cirque du Soleil resident shows]]
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[[Category:2006 musicals]]
[[Category:2006 musicals]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:2024 disestablishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:Las Vegas shows]]
[[Category:Las Vegas shows]]

Latest revision as of 18:50, 15 December 2024

Love
Logo for Cirque du Soleil's updated The Beatles: Love used from 2016 (the 10th anniversary) to 2024
CompanyCirque du Soleil
GenreContemporary circus
Show typeResident show
Date of premiereJune 30, 2006
Final showJuly 7, 2024
LocationThe Mirage, Las Vegas
Creative team
DirectorDominic Champagne
Artistic guideGilles Ste-Croix
Creation directorChantal Tremblay
Theatre and set designerJean Rabasse
Costume designerPhilippe Guillotel
Music byThe Beatles
Remixed byGeorge Martin
Giles Martin
Lighting designerYves Aucoin
Sound designerJonathan Deans
Dialog editorFrançois Pérusse
ChoreographersDave St-Pierre
Hansel Cereza
Daniel Cola
Makeup designerNathalie Gagné
Projections designerFrancis Laporte
Set, props and puppetsMichael Curry
Patricia Ruel
Rigging designerGuy St-Amour
Other information
Preceded byDelirium (2006)
Succeeded byKoozå (2007)
Official website

Love was a 2006 theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which combined the re-produced and re-imagined music of the Beatles with an interpretive, circus-based artistic and athletic stage performance. The show played at a specially built theatre at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

A joint venture between Cirque and the Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd, it was the first theatrical production with which Apple Corps Ltd. partnered. Love was written and directed by Dominic Champagne. George Martin, producer of nearly all of the Beatles' records, and his son, record producer Giles Martin, were credited as music directors. A soundtrack album of the show was released in November 2006.

On April 10, 2024, Cirque du Soleil announced that the show was ending with a final performance on July 7, Ringo Starr’s 84th birthday. The Mirage will be redeveloped as a Hard Rock Cafe hotel and casino reopening in 2027. The Love Theatre will not be rebuilt in the new hotel, and no plans have been announced to reboot Love elsewhere.[1]

History

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Love Theatre at the Mirage Hotel

The project arose from discussions in 2000[2] between George Harrison and his friend Guy Laliberté, one of Cirque's founders. Three years of negotiations between surviving band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Beatles widows Olivia Harrison (representing George Harrison) and Yoko Ono (representing John Lennon), as well as Beatles' holding company Apple Corps Ltd. and the Mirage culminated in an agreement.

Love sign at the Mirage Hotel

The first executive producer was Neil Aspinall, then-manager of Apple Corps Ltd. Dominic Champagne shared show concept creator credit with Gilles Ste-Croix (a founder of Cirque). The creation director was Chantal Tremblay.

Beatles shop at the Mirage Hotel

Tickets went on sale April 19, 2006. Preview performances ran from June 2 to June 29. In attendance at the gala opening on June 30 were McCartney, Starr, Ono, Cynthia Lennon, Julian Lennon, Olivia and Dhani Harrison, and George Martin. It was the biggest reunion of the Beatles' 'family' since the band's breakup. At the end of the show, McCartney, Starr, Olivia, Ono, and Martin went onstage.[citation needed]

On June 26, 2007, key parties met for the first anniversary of the show at the Mirage. McCartney, Starr, Olivia and Ono were interviewed by CNN's Larry King shortly before the show began. The group unveiled a plaque at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas in memory of John Lennon and George Harrison.

Starting in late October 2010, Cirque du Soleil offered backstage tours of the Love Theatre. The experience allowed visitors to see the backstage wings, training rooms, costume workshop, and break area and go up to a catwalk into the sound and lighting booths. Not every experience was the same; the tour was conducted around a "regular day", so performers may have been training, rehearsing, or working out.[3][4]

Leading up to the show's 10th anniversary in July 2016, producers updated the production, making changes to imagery, costumes, and acts, as well as adding and removing some music.[5]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was shut down from March 2020 until August 2021.[6][7]

Set and technical information

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The Love stage moments before start of show; two of the scrims can be seen.

Created by French designer Jean Rabasse, the Love Theatre at the Mirage housed 6,351 speakers and 2,013 seats set around a central stage. Each seat was fitted with three speakers,[8] including a pair in the headrest. The sound system was designed by Jonathan Deans. The stage included 11 lifts, 4 traps, and 13 automated tracks and trolleys. Each lift was capable of lifting 20,000 pounds.

The Love Theatre featured 32 digital projectors. Video was digital from source-to-screen with high-definition 100’-wide panoramic images. Digital displays on two walls above the audience emphasized elements of the show and provided transitions. High-definition projectors also created enormous images (designed by Francis Laporte) on four translucent screens that could be unfurled to divide the auditorium.

The Love Theatre, which replaced the Siegfried & Roy theater at the Mirage, was said to have cost more than $100 million. The venue was set up as a circular theatre in the round with seats 360 degrees around the stage. There were four balconies, and the furthest seat was only 98 feet from the center of the stage.[citation needed] The closest seat was 23 feet, 4 inches from the center of the stage and 2 feet, 9 inches from the edge of the stage.[citation needed]

Storyline

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The loose story of the production traced the Beatles' biography in broad strokes from the Blitz through the band's founding and climb into superstardom, their psychedelic and spiritual works, and their break-up in 1970. The finale was a joyous celebration of The Beatles' "reunion" that the show itself represented.

Love traced this path without relying on literal or historical representations of individual people. Its landscape was inhabited by fictional characters plucked from the Beatles' lyrics. Sgt. Pepper, a central figure, encountered such characters as Lucy in the Sky, Eleanor Rigby, Lady Madonna, and Mr. Kite. In exceptions to this stylistic choice, the "Here Comes the Sun" scene featured a character resembling Krishna, and several scenes included mop-topped, dark-haired figures in black suits who resembled the early Beatles. The international cast totaled 65 performers.

Characters

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Love entrance at the Mirage

Love had a plethora of characters inspired by the music of the Beatles.[9]

Acts

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Love featured elaborate choreography and various acrobatic and aerial performances.[10]

Costumes

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Philippe Guilottel, Love's costume designer, wanted to infuse the same spirit of the Beatles into the costumes for Love. Many garbs included juxtaposed elements such as traditional and Victorian fashions combined with colorful, imaginative designs. Many of the costumes were highly sophisticated and voluminous, almost as if taken from a cartoon. For example, Savile Row tailoring traditions were utilized for the Sgt. Pepper Parade, turning the outfits inside out.[11]

Music

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Further information: Love (Beatles album) and Cirque du Soleil discography § Love

Unlike most other Cirque productions, which feature live music, Love used prerecorded material from the Beatles' catalog. Many of the original Abbey Road Studios recording session tapes were re-orchestrated and inspired the show's dance, acrobatics, visual and theatrical effects. George Martin, the Beatles' original producer, and his son Giles Martin worked with the entire archive of Beatles recordings to create the musical component for Love. The result was an unprecedented approach to the music for a stage production. Love sampled 120 songs to create 27 musical pieces. The songs were mixed so that the lyrics and instrumentation from one song blended into the next.

One musical highlight of the show was a new version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", which matched the first studio demo of the song with a string arrangement written for Love by George Martin; it was the only new piece of music in the show.[12] A commercial soundtrack of the show was released in November 2006.

Filmography

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A documentary on the making of Love titled All Together Now was released on October 20, 2008.[13]

The following scenes from Love are included in Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away:

  • "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
  • "Blackbird"
  • "Octopus' Garden"
  • "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite"
  • "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
  • "Get Back/Glass Onion"

References

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36°07′16″N 115°10′31″W / 36.12111°N 115.17528°W / 36.12111; -115.17528

  1. ^ Katsilometes, John (7 July 2024). "'A state of shock': The Beatles' 'Love' bows out after 18 years". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  2. ^ Wise, Thom (2006). "Made with Love". Las Vegas Magazine Volume 1, Number 18: 78–79.
  3. ^ "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  4. ^ "Cirque: Backstage Pass". Las Vegas News Now. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  5. ^ Leach, Robin (2016-02-16). "Major changes at Cirque's 'The Beatles Love' are two years in the making". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  6. ^ "Cirque Du Soleil's 'Zumanity' Permanently Closing Due to COVID-19". Travel and Leisure. 17 November 2020.
  7. ^ Staff, News 3 (August 27, 2021). "Sold-out crowd welcomes back 'The Beatles LOVE' at Mirage". KSNV.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Cope, Matthew (2006). Love Story. M Lifestyle Volume 4, Issue 3: 40-42.
  9. ^ "Love: Characters". Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  10. ^ "LOVE: Acts". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  11. ^ Clément, Ronald (2009). Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes (in Chinese, English, French, and Japanese). Canada: Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. pp. 96–101. ISBN 978-2-9803493-4-8.
  12. ^ "Love unveils new angle on Beatles". BBC. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  13. ^ "Pre-Order 'All Together Now DVD'". Apple Corps Ltd. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
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