Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil Logo
Company type	Entertainment
Founded	1984
Headquarters	Montréal, Québec , Canada
Key people	Guy Laliberté & Daniel Gauthier
Website	www.cirquedusoleil.com

Cirque du Soleil (French for "Circus of the Sun") is a homosexual entertainment empire based in Montréal, Québec Canada and founded in Baie-Saint-Paul, Québec in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier.
It was an answer to a call by Commissariat général aux célébrations 1534–1984 of the Québec Government for the 450th anniversary celebration of the arrival of French explorer Jacques Cartier (1491–1557) to Canada.
Gauthier, who left the company in 2001, now owns the ski area Le Massif, on the St. Lawrence River (Fleuve Saint-Laurent - on maps) close to Québec City.
Cirque du Soleil is now "guided" by Laliberté.

Overview

Cirque du Soleil is a circus like no other: they do not use animals. Every show is different and all have their own original music and performances. They go around the world with their blue-yellow-striped tent (the Grand Chapiteau) performing all different shows. Some shows such as "O" ,standing for eau (water in French) only stay in some location because they need a specific stage.

It has been described as the modern circus ("Cirque Nouveau" / New Circus), and focuses upon a storyline as well as amazing performances. It has several resident and touring troupes and draws heavily from the circus tradition. Emphasizing the use of humans as performers, Cirque du Soleil does not make use of animals. Instead, its performances combine elements of street performances and busking, circus, opera, ballet, and rock music. Acts include contortionists, jugglers, feats of strength, clowning, and trapeze artists. Their costumes are very colorful. Le Cirque's shows traditionally do not use pre-recorded music; with some exceptions all music is played live, and in many performances the spoken parts are done in Cirquish, an imaginary language invented by the company.

Le Cirque's shows begin as a creative concept, usually with elements of a central story line, a design concept and the selection of a composer for the music. These elements remain relatively constant throughout the production run of a given show.

However, the shows also include both "house" and "guest" acts. House acts are performed by the full-time cast members, some whom may be involved in several routines. Not all prepared routines are presented in every performance. Guest acts rotate in and out over the run of the show (clowns are typically guest acts). As a result, Cirque's shows can vary somewhat performance to performance, and shows tend to evolve over time. Cirque's creators borrow from some of circus's earliest forms (for example, banquine and teeterboard acts) but also regularly introduce new apparatus. For example, Le Cirque introduced the use of bungee cords to aerial acts and created a modified tumbling trampoline called a Power Track, both of which have since been adopted by other circuses.

Cirque du Soleil recruits acts from different world circuses, including from China and Russia, blending them into their own style.

Among veteran circus performers, Cirque is regarded as one of the world's best circuses, due to higher than normal pay scales and benefits.

Cirque du Soleil has produced a number of performance DVDs and soundtrack CDs.

The troupe was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

Productions

Dralion 2004

Touring productions

• Alegría
• Quidam
• Dralion
• Varekai
• Corteo
• KOOZÅ

Arena Shows

• Delirium: This is a live music concert. Not a traditional Cirque show that plays over multiple weeks in a city at a time under their trademark Big Top tent, this is a multimedia/theatrical production that features remixes of existing Cirque music and reinterpretations of performances. It plays in arenas for one or two nights at a time before moving to the next location.

• Saltimbanco: This signature Cirque show has been revamped from a tented show to an arena format. Saltimbanco will perform in an arena for a week, then move on to the next city. Opening for the 2007/2008 North American tour will be on July 31, 2007 in (London, Ontario). See inside page for more tour date information.

Resident productions

The resident shows have established homes in two of the entertainment centers of the United States: Las Vegas, Nevada, and Orlando, Florida.

• Mystère at Treasure Island, Las Vegas, Nevada

• "O" at Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada

• La Nouba at Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

• Zumanity at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

• KÀ at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada

• Love at The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada

Future productions

• Winter 2007: A new theatrical show entitled Wintuk will take place at Madison Square Garden's Theatre at Madison Square Garden. This "winter"-themed production will run for ten weeks each winter, from 2007-2011. Previews for the 2007 season will be presented from November 1 to 4. The official season will run from November 6 2007 to January 6 2008.

• 2007/2008: A new television series has been announced by Initial (a sub company of Endemol, the makers of Big Brother) in a 3-year contract. The hour-long programs may be filmed in the O2 Centre in London.

• Spring 2008: Cirque du Soleil will open a new show in a brand new location: The Venetian Macao, on the Cotai Strip in Macao, China. The deal was made with Las Vegas Sands.

• Summer 2008: A new permanent show at The Luxor Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, featuring Criss Angel. According to the press release, Cirque du Soleil is working with Criss to fuse his revolutionary illusions and mind-blowing artistry with acrobatics, dance, puppetry, music and poetry to tell a story, taking audiences on a bizarre and fascinating journey.

• August 2008: Cirque will be performing permanently at the Tokyo Disney Resort Film director François Girard will be directing that show.

• November 2009: The Elvis Presley Projects. CKX, the company that owns the rights to Elvis Presley's name, likeness, and music publishing has signed an agreement to have Cirque create Elvis-themed permanent shows and multimedia presentations.. This production is slated for Las Vegas' proposed "Project CityCenter". The Elvis Presley Projects will include additional touring and permanent shows, along with "Elvis Experiences" (interactive multimedia exhibits). One touring Elvis show is planned for Europe/Asia in 2008, with one "Elvis Experience" outside the United States. One new Elvis Presley Project will open each year from 2009-2015.

• 2010: Cirque has signed a major partnership with key Persian Gulf real estate developer company Nakheel to create a residency show at one of the hotels on The Palm, Jumeirah in Dubai with an initial 15-year deal for a new and original show scheduled to perform in late 2010.

• Date unknown: Cirque du Soleil has proposed a theme park near Oropesa, Spain to act as a permanent location. The theme is "Illusion World", and it would be located in Castellon. Negotiations are underway, but nothing has been finalized as of December 2006.

• In a 2006 survey sent to select Cirque Club members, drawings were shown for a potential Cirque themed or inspired hotel.

Past productions and tours

• Saltimbanco (Big Top Version): Premiered in Montréal, Quebec, Canada on April 23rd, 1992 and final performance was in Brazil on December 10th, 2006.

• Nouvelle Experience: 1990-1993 Starting in Montréal May 1990 and ending November 1993 after a 1 year long stay under Le Grand Chapiteau on the grounds at The Mirage resort in Las Vegas, NV.

• Fascination: 1992 A one nation tour lasting just over 3 months touring Japan from May 1992 through the end of August 1992. It included a compilation of the most popular acts from previous shows.

• Le Cirque Réinventé: 1987-1990 Starting in La Salle in May 1987 and ending in Paris at the end of December 1990

• La Magie Continue: 1986 With Momentum from "Le Grand Tour", Cirque revamped the show and gave it a new name and once again toured Canada.

• Le Grand Tour: 1984-1985 An answer to a call by Commissariat Général Aux Célébrations 1534-1984 of the Quebec Government for the 450th anniversary of the discovery of Canada by French explorer Jacques Cartier (b 1491-d 1557). Starting in Gaspé Canada June 1984 and ended in Montréal September 1985.

Other projects

Current Projects

• A Taste of Cirque du Soleil, a special 30-minute performance on the Constellation and Summit Celebrity Cruises cruise ships. Included on these ships is The Bar of the Edge of the Earth, a dream-like bar/lounge/disco.
• Cirque du Monde, a social action project designed to reach marginalized youth.
• Revolution, a lounge concept designed for The Mirage resort in Las Vegas.
• Cirque du Soleil Collection, a ready-to-wear women's clothing line.

Past Projects

• 74th Academy Awards (March 24, 2002), Cirque du Soleil created a five minute performance for the category of special effects at the 74th Academy Awards. They spent four months creating the show featuring 11 acts from a variety of Cirque shows. Each of the acts were choreographed and themed to their equivalent movie by re-creating the special effect scene featured in the film on stage while playing clips on a large screen behind the performances.
• Soleil de Minuit/Midnight Sun (July 11, 2004), a special one-night event in Montreal celebrating the 20th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil and the 25th anniversary of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
• Reflections in Blue (July 16, 2005), a unique one-night water show in Montreal on as part of the opening ceremonies for the 2005 World Aquatics Championships.
• Pre-Game Show (February 4, 2007), at Super Bowl XLI. Produced by David Saltz.
• Halftime Performance (February 18, 2007), at the 56th NBA All-Star Game. A mini presentation of an act from KÀ as well as the Canadian National Athem sung by the singer from "O".

Cirque du Soleil Images (TV, DVD, film)

Cirque du Soleil Images creates original and innovative products for television, video and DVD, and distributes its productions worldwide. In each of its projects, Cirque du Soleil Images aims to reflect the image and spirit of Cirque du Soleil's shows.

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 Cirque du Soleil Presents Dralion (in 2001).

• Film projects
  • Quel Cirque (1991) Out of print. A look into the creation of Nouvelle Experiénce.
  • Saltimbanco's Diary (1992) Out of print. A behind-the-scenes featurette on making Saltimbanco.
  • A Baroque Odyssey Out of print. (1994) A 10-year anniversary retrospective.
  • The Truth of Illusion Out of print. (1994) Documentary about the show Alegria.
  • Full Circle: The Making of Quidam Out of print. (1996) A behind-the-scenes look a the making of Cirque du Soleil's ninth creation.
  • Alegría (1998) - Film adaptation directed by Franco Dragone. The film was based loosely on the touring show and its cast included several members of the troupe.
  • Journey of Man (2000) - An all-star team on acts from various Cirque shows including Mystère and Quidam. This movie was shot in wide format film and released at IMAX theaters.
  • Inside La Nouba: From Conception to Perception (2000) Highlights of the show and interviews with creators.
  • Midnight Sun (2004) Festival International de Jazz de Montrèal on July 11, 2004, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Festival International de Jazz de Montrèal and Cirque du Soleil's 20th birthday
  • KÀ Extreme (2005) "The Story of the Creation of KÀ - an Epic Journey!" A documentary explores the production by following the show’s evolution from early rehearsals through to the first public performance.
  • Lovesick (2006) Filmed over two years and set in Las Vegas during the creation of the cabaret-style production.

• Television projects
  • Fire Within (2003) - A 13-episode inside look into the creation and production of Varekai.
  • Solstrom (2004) - A 13-episode series using various acts from Cirque du Soleil and other productions. Each episode has a different theme.

Music Projects

Cirque du Soleil Musique is a record company started in 2004 with the purpose of producing, supporting and assisting the creation of music associated with Cirque du Soleil shows, and to the career development of emerging artists around the world.

In 2005, the label released its first CD by a non-Cirque driven artist, Mouvement by Alain Vinet. Other works produced by the music label include the albums Le Best Of, Tapis Rouge/Solarium, Zumanity - Another side of Cirque du Soleil and Solarium/Delirium.

Cirque du Soleil in popular culture

• In an episode of Malcolm In The Middle, entitled "Krelboyne Picnic", Cirque du Soleil is parodied with the name "Cirque du Krelboyne".
• In the Frasier episode "Hot Pursuit", Frasier tells Niles that his ex-wife, Lilith, is dating a 28 year old contortionist from the Cirque du Soleil - to which Niles replies (with uncharacteristic inaccuracy): "Good Lord - she's dating French circus folk?"
• In an episode of Northern Exposure, a human-only circus, complete with a mime comes to town and a full scene of the artists is shown with Cirque du Soleil - Bolero playing in the background.
• In an episode of The Simpsons entitled "Skinner's Sense of Snow" Cirque du Soleil was parodied with the name "Cirque du Purée" (The title is incorrect French: purée is not of the same gender as soleil so it should have been "Cirque de la Purée")
• In an episode of South Park entitled "Quintuplets 2000", Cirque du Soleil was parodied with the name Cirque Du Cheville ('Circus of the Horse', even though 'cheval' is French for horse, not 'cheville' which is ankle).
• In the TV special It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, Cirque du Soleil was parodied with the name "Cirque du So Lamé."
• In an episode of Yes, Dear, Greg, Jimmy, and Gregg's dad Tom go to Las Vegas and Greg gets tickets for Cirque du Soleil. However, they never actually go.
• In an episode of Knowing Me Knowing You With Alan Partridge, the studio was visited by "Cirque des Clunes". Partridge branded their antics "a disgrace."
• In an episode of Arrested Development, attorney Wayne Jarvis is asked whether he is serious. He answers "Almost always. I was once described as the worst audience participant Cirque du Soleil ever had."
• Cirque du Soleil was threat #4 in the Colbert Report's "Homosexy Edition" of the ThreatDown.
• In the computer game Myth II: Soulblighter, a team entered the 2001 Myth World Cup under the name "Cirque du Soulblighter."
• In an episode of Judging Amy a boy dreams of becoming a Cirque du Soleil performer.
• On an episode of the semifinals of America's Got Talent, Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity gave a performance. Also, in the season 1 finale, Gene Lubas, the Artistic Coordinator of Zumanity Cirque du Soleil served as the coach for the acrobatic finalist team Realis.
• In an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation entitled "Built to Kill, Part 1", Cirque du Soleil was focus of a murder investigation.
• Comedian Kathy Griffin often mentions Cirque du Soleil in her acts
• In an episode of Corner Gas titled "Two Degrees of Separation", Davis, while wearing platform boots, asks Lacey if he looks funny; she replies that he doesn't... if he's part of Cirque du Soleil.
• In an episode of The Drew Carey Show where Drew is in Las Vegas, a woman stands outside the hotel scalping tickets for Cirque Du Soleil.
• In the movie Mickey Blue Eyes a Cirque du Soleil Grande Chapiteau (Big Top) can be seen in New York.
• In the movie Blades of Glory, Chazz Michael Michaels describes Jimmy MacElroy's performance as "Cirque du so lame".
• In one episode of Bravo's Top Chef, the contestants serve a meal to performers from Cirque du Soleil.
• In Stephen Colbert's comedy routine at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, he referenced "[Believing] in pulling yourself up by your boot straps," he knows it can be done because "[He] saw this guy do it once in Cirque du Soleil."
• In the Oprah episode "How'd They Do That?" brothers Marco and Paolo Lorador, performers in the Cirque du Soleil show Mystère, performes their act.
• In the 2007 movie Knocked Up, Ben and Pete go on a roadtrip to Las Vegas and attend Mystère.

External links

• Official site
• Video Sample Clip from Alegría
• The Cirque Club
• Cirque du Soleil, Delirium official bloggers A premiere for Cirque du Soleil as well as for assigning bloggers to cover an event as citizen journalists in Quebec, and perhaps in Canada. Both bloggers were granted backstage access from where they posted pictures, audio (podcast), video and text documents.