On August 7, 2005, Cirque du Soleil was once again featured on the CBS News Evening Magazine, “60 Minutes”. Some of the more interesting pieces released in the transcript (which is available on the CBS News/60 Minutes website) are:
– Today Cirque employs 3,000 employees worldwide.
– 700-750 of the employees are performers.
– There are 3 new shows currently planned.
– Ka’s moving stage weighs 175 tons.
– 170 behind-the-scenes technicians are needed to support Ka’s cast of 80.
– Mystere was a sell-out 10-days after it opened.
– Cirque du Soleil keeps 50-percent of all ticket sales for every show in Las Vegas.
– Guy Laliberte does not believe Cirque has reached a saturation point in Vegas. He believes there is yet more Cirque can do in that desert town.
Gilles Ste-Croix, Cirque du Soleil’s Director of Creation, also spoke briefly about what to expect for the Mirage 2006 Beatles show: “We discovered in India, in Agastan, a little contortionist. And the number is done while they are carrying a little bowl with a little candle on their forehead. While they’re doing all their contortion,” says St-Croix. “And it’s so meditative, I would say, to have this tiny little girl who does that. And she climbs a rope while she’s doing it. And it’s just whooo.” Which Beatles song is the act supposed to illustrate? “‘Sun King'” and ‘Here Comes the Sun’,” says Ste-Croix.
The transcript of Leslie Stahl’s feature is available online:
< http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/05/60minutes/main760725.shtml >
