The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 3,000th performance this month, can you believe it? To help commemorate we thought it would be fun to take a peek back at all the rumors and announcements that lead up to the creation of LOVE.
A CIRQUE DU SUBMARINE?
The first whiff of something new brewing in Las Vegas wafted over to us in late 2003, following an October 3 accident which saw Ray Horn (of the magical duo Siegfried & Roy) mauled by seven-year-old male tiger Montecore, severely injuring the magician (and bringing an end to a Las Vegas era that stretched back to 1990). According to the Las Vegas Sun, over the Thanksgiving holiday rumors were flying that Cirque du Soleil and MGM-Mirage had struck a deal to open yet another show on the Las Vegas Strip (both Zumanity for 2003 and KÀ for 2004 had been announced during the summer of 2002), housing the show in The Mirage’s Siegfried & Roy Theater and beginning performances by June 2005. The theater was to remain dedicated to the magical duo, however, but the rumor was quite substantial at the time; it would place five Cirque du Soleil shows in one city and three new shows in the same number of years!
By February 2004 further details regarding the potential concept began to come forward: Cirque du Soleil and the Beatles would come together to turn the psychedelic movie “Yellow Submarine” into a stage production. There were no real details on the project, but according to Reuters, “Beatles’ company, Apple Corp. Inc., confirmed in 2001 that a Cirque show in London was under consideration, but Beatle George Harrison, who was friends with Cirque Chief Executive Guy Laliberte, died shortly after that announcement.” Alan Feldman, an MGM-Mirage spokesman, also said at the time it was “fairly likely” that Cirque du Soleil would produce a show for the vacant Siegfried & Roy Theater. It also had been rumored that “Hairspray”, the Broadway musical that swept the 2003 Tony Awards, might also claim the theater. “Hairspray” would eventually join “Mama Mia!” at Mandalay Bay, as the next Broadway-style show to hit The Strip.
A few months later (July 2004) we heard “The Beatles Meet Cirque du Soleil” show had been green-lit by Apple Corps, MGM/Mirage and Cirque, but it would take another couple months to learn even the most minute details regarding the production. Thanks to Timothy McDarrah, intrepid reporter for the Las Vegas Sun (and with the translating skills of fellow reporter Molly Ball), we had more to report for the Beatles-inspired Cirque-produced show. Among other interesting tidbits, the article revealed that Dominic Champagne would direct the show (he directed 2002’s Varekai), which would debut in early 2006. Other interesting quotes from the article which appeared September 10 in the “Vegasbeat” column were:
“According to a report this week in a French-language Montreal newspaper, and confirmed to VegasBeat by two additional sources, the new Cirque show will feature music by the Beatles, but will definitely not be a production show similar to “Mamma Mia!,” which wraps a plot around a popular music catalog. “It will embrace the imagery and spirit of the Beatles, and the best of what Cirque has to offer,” Stephane Baillargeon of the newspaper Le Devoir told us in a phone conversation Thursday.
The unnamed Beatles-themed show began life several years ago in Cirque founder Guy Laliberte’s Montreal living room when he was visited by George Harrison after a Formula One race. The two struck up a friendship and hit upon bringing a Cirque show to London based on “Yellow Submarine,” the psychedelic 1968 animated film. After Harrison died, Laliberte convinced Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono to take in some Cirque productions, and eventually got permission from them to use Beatles music in a show, Baillargeon explained. “In the end they decided ‘Yellow Submarine’ as a show was too ’60-themed, and they wanted to do something that was more current.”
Le Devoir reported that the deal was done. The contract, it reports, “authorizes the creators of Cirque du Soleil to pick from the richest catalog of the most famous rock band in history. Even better, according to documents obtained by Le Devoir, Cirque also got authorization to remix musical passages at will. The Beatles have never before authorized sampling of their catalog.”
COME TOGETHER
On October 14, 2004, Cirque du Soleil announced to the world that it too had been swept up in Beatlemania:
Cirque du Soleil, Apple Corps Ltd. and The Mirage announce a partnership in which they will celebrate the musical legacy and extraordinary experience of The Beatles in an unprecedented live theatre production opening in 2006. This joint artistic venture marks the first time that The Beatles’ company, Apple Corps, has agreed to a major theatrical partnership.
The production will be Cirque du Soleil’s fifth resident show in Las Vegas and will be presented at The Mirage, the resort that changed the face of Las Vegas when it opened in 1989.
The project was born out of a personal friendship and professional admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté. “This show is about living The Beatles experience,” said Guy Laliberté. “We want to bring the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion behind the most beloved rock band of all time to create a single, simple statement of delight.”
Neil Aspinall, Managing Director of Apple Corps, said, “In the past The Beatles have been approached with theatrical proposals which never promised much beyond a traditional presentation. However, in Cirque du Soleil, Apple is fortunate to have found a creative partner with the same passion for innovation and excellence.”
Robert H. Baldwin, President and CEO of Mirage Resorts, said, “This partnership builds on the solid relationship that already exists between MGM MIRAGE and Cirque du Soleil. We too are thrilled that the union between two premier entertainment icons, The Beatles and Cirque, will come together at The Mirage.”
Gilles Ste-Croix, Vice President of Creation and New Project Development at Cirque du Soleil, revealed key members of the artistic team will include Cirque du Soleil writer-director Dominic Champagne and The Beatles producer Sir George Martin.
Sir George, who will oversee the music element of the show, said today, “After spending more than 40 years of my life working with The Beatles and their wonderful music, I am thrilled to be working with them once again, on this exciting project with Cirque du Soleil. The show will be a unique and magical experience.”
While the project has the approval of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, Paul and Ringo will not appear in the production. “It is a fantastic project for us and I personally am excited to collaborate with such a great creative team,” Paul McCartney said.
“How excited can I get — The Beatles, Cirque du Soleil, an incredible venue in Las Vegas – what could be better,” said Ringo. “I’m looking forward to the first show ’cause I’m going to be there and I hope you are too.”
“The Beatles and Cirque; I think it’s a great combination: The Beatles’ agile mind and Cirque’s agile body,” said Yoko Ono. “George and Guy shared the same vision. They planned to utilize the extraordinary creativity of the Beatles and Cirque du Soleil to produce an uplifting moment in time. We are all very happy to see this project come to fruition,” said Olivia Harrison.
Additional details of the content of the show, which aims to revisit the excitement of the remarkable era when Beatlemania ignited the world, are in creative incubation.
And they’d remain there for two years until Cirque du Soleil was ready to announce the show to the world.
HERE COMES THE SUN
On April 19, 2006, Cirque du Soleil revealed its view of The Beatles to the world:
Using the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, Sir George and Giles have created a unique soundscape for LOVE. “I think we will achieve a real sense of drama with the music, the audience will feel as though they are actually in the theatre with the band. People are going to be knocked out by what they are hearing!” said Giles Martin.
Dominic Champagne directed and wrote the original concept for the show which captures the essence of love that John, Paul, George and Ringo inspired during their astonishing adventure together. LOVE evokes the exuberant and irreverent spirit of The Beatles. “When we embarked on this extraordinary adventure in 2002,” said Gilles Ste-Croix, Show Concept Creator and Director of Creation, “we set out to create a timeless, three-dimensional evocation of The Beatles music. Drawn from the poetry of the lyrics, we developed a preliminary concept that explored the content of the songs in a series of scenes inhabited by real and imaginary people.” The international cast of 60 channels a raw, youthful energy underscored by aerial performance, extreme sports and urban, freestyle dance.
LOVE will be presented in a custom-built theatre at The Mirage featuring 360 degrees seating and advanced high definition video projections with 100-foot digital, moving images. The panoramic surround sound system will envelop the audience who will experience The Beatles music like never before…
Apple Corps Ltd. is planning to release the album through EMI Music later this year.
Cirque du Soleil Creative Team:
Guy Laliberté – Guide, Show Concept Creator
Dominic Champagne – Director, Show Concept Writer
Gilles Ste-Croix – Director of Creation, Show Concept
Chantal Tremblay – Associate Director of Creation
Jean Rabasse – Theatre and Set Designer
Philippe Guillotel – Costume Designer
Jonathan Deans – Sound Designer
Yves Aucoin – Lighting Designer
Francis Laporte – Video Projection Designer
Hansel Cereza and Dave St-Pierre – Choreographers
Guy St-Amour – Acrobatic & Rigging Designer
Daniel Cola – Acrobatic Performance Designer
Nathalie Gagné – Make-up Designer
Patricia Ruel – Props Designer
Michael Curry – Puppet DesignerGuest Creators:
André Simard – Aerial Acrobatic Designer
Alexis Martin – Dramaturge Consultant
François Pérusse – Comic Audio-clips DesignerFor Apple Corps Ltd.:
Sir George Martin – Music Director
Giles Martin – Music Director
Neil Aspinall – Executive Producer
SHOW SCHEDULE: Preview performances will be presented nightly at 7:00pm. In addition, there will 10:30pm performances on limited dates. Please consult the most current show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com . Schedule is subject to change without notice. Following the preview period, LOVE will be performed Thursday through Monday with no shows on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Beginning July 1, there will be two shows nightly at 7:30pm & 10:30pm.
ALL TOGETHER NOW
LOVE brings the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion of The Beatles to create an intimate and powerful entertainment experience. It captures the essence of love that John, Paul, George and Ringo inspired during their astonishing adventure together. Using the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, Sir George Martin and Giles have created a unique soundscape for LOVE. “We wanted to make sure there are enough good, solid hit songs in the show, but we don’t want it to be a catalog of ‘best of’s’,” said Sir George Martin. “We also wanted to put in some interesting and not well-known Beatles music and use fragments of songs. The show is a unique and magical experience.”
Dominic Champagne, who directed and wrote the original concept for the show, explained his vision for LOVE. “I wanted to create a Beatles experience rather than a Beatles story, taking the audience on an emotional journey rather than a chronological one, exploring the landscapes and experiences that have marked the group’s history,” said the director.
LOVE is a Rock ‘n’ Roll poem, a magical mystery tour into the heart and soul of The Beatles music through an exploration of the aesthetic, political and spiritual trends of the 1960s. Inspired by the poetry of the lyrics, the creative team designed a series of scenes inhabited by colorful characters in extravagant costumes:
Because
Creating a portrait reminiscent of the ports of Liverpool, sailors climb dramatically on ropes toward the Heavens. The a cappella voices of John, Paul and George pave their ascent. Each pull of the rope elevates the intensity of anticipation, foreshadowing The Beatles revival. Anchored at the other end of their lifelines is a scene from Savile Row. In an instant the sailors descend from their summits and raise the set, taking us from the place where it all began to The Beatles’ final performance in 1969 atop the roofs of London.
Get Back
The bombastic pulse of the Abbey Road drum solo fast forwards the scene from Liverpool to The Beatles’ farewell concert. An explosion of energy, light and color burst onto the stage powered by The Beatles’ rock anthem, “Get Back.” Nostalgia of the 1960s is juxtaposed with newfangled dance styles — “House” and “Jacking” — and an unusual bungee tête-a-tête, as the celebration barrels toward an unsuspecting conclusion.
Glass Onion
Marked by the ending strings from “Glass Onion,” the festivities are brought to a startling finish and we flash back still further to the war years of The Beatles youth. The vibrancy and levity become shrouded by the grim realities of WWII that shaped the four boys’ revolutionary attitudes and musical tastes. Sgt Pepper’s band is symbolically destroyed amid the chaos and devastation, and the grim landscape soon becomes a setting for change and renewal.
Eleanor Rigby
Depicting the resurrection and resilience of a post-war nation, Eleanor Rigby pulls the weight of her past through the rubble. Interpretation of key characters from The Beatles musical and historical narratives emerge including Father McKenzie, The Queen, Mr. Piggy, the Children of Liverpool and The Fool. Interwoven in this homage to The Beatles tragic heroine are hints of “Julia,” “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “A Day in the Life.”
I am the Walrus
The fresh, enchanting presence of The Walrus glides onto the stage in a hypnotic hybrid of “Popping,” “Waving” and “Boogaloo” dance. A creature of glamour and unbridled youth, he spreads his contagious energy and breathes new life into the stodgy world of the Old School English Establishment.
Rock’n’Roll Fun
An upbeat “I Want to Hold Your Hand” followed by a medley of “Drive My Car”, “What You’re Doing” and “The Word” signal the euphoric onslaught of Beatlemania. Crazed fans and screaming groupies bombard the stage in flurry of acrobatic activity. Teeter boards and trampoline beds launch the ensemble to new heights just as these early hits launched The Beatles to astronomical fame.
Abbey Road
A collage of sound bytes create a fictionalized conversation between John, Paul, George and Ringo. Using The Beatles master tapes, Québecois comedian François Pérusse pieced together this intimate exchange, which is illustrated by the projection of shadow figures.
Grik Nus / Something
Introduced by “Sun King” played backwards, this sensual choreography shows how fleeting and fragile love can be. Set to the classic tune “Something,” a young male solo dancer is tantalized by four women who fly in and out of his reach.
For the Benefit of Mr. Kite
The topsy-turvy world of fame gone awry comes to life. Mr. Kite’s macabre circus is populated by a dizzying frenzy of nightmarish creatures and faceless characters. Indicative of the media frenzy and controversy that surrounded The Beatles during their meteoric rise to fame, the Russian Swing artist whirls and twirls high over the crowd performing 360-degree feats of aerial acrobatics. Excerpts from “Cry Baby Cry,” sound effects from “Good Morning Good Morning,” laughter from “Piggies,” noises from “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” “Helter Skelter” and audio snippets of The Beatles joking around during recording sessions can be heard throughout this delirious mix.
Help!
Four extreme sports athletes take to the stage in this fast-paced, nail-biting number. The skaters take blading to the extreme, leaping 11-foot tall ramps — and each other — with a continuous barrage of flips, twists and jumps.
Blackbird
In this comedic interpretation of The Beatles poetic lullaby “Black Bird,” Dr. Robert vainly attempts to help four mangled, disenchanted black birds find their wings and take flight again.
Yesterday
Reminiscent melancholy rooted in the love that once was and the longing of what could be.
Jam Session
A lively repartee between the four band members. Created from the authentic recordings at Abbey Road Studios, the sound bytes evoke the presence of The Beatles within an intimate studio setting.
Strawberry Fields
Assembled around a mysterious piano, Dr. Robert introduces the Nowhere Men to an unusual tea drinking ritual. This euphemistic stimulant launches them and the show itself on a psychedelic trip. The surreal “Strawberry Fields” is underscored in the closing stages by “Penny Lane,” “In My Life,” “Piggies” and “Hello Goodbye.”
Parade
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band comes back to life in its full regalia in a moment of hallucinogenic hilarity. Continuing the experimental journey, the parade emerges reborn with instruments imbued with fantasy and whimsy.
Within You, Without You
Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream … Here the children of Liverpool are taken on a wild ride atop a billowing bed sheet, a visual psychedelic stream, which envelops the audience, launching them on a magical journey. “Within You Without You” can be heard over the drums from “Tomorrow Never Knows.”
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
The trip continues with the glittering daughter of the heavens, Lucy, soaring through the air in this aerial contortion number. Connecting with the earthy Fireman who keeps her aloft, Lucy lets her hair down and rejoices in this moment of exaltation.
Octopus’ Garden
The surreal voyage takes a plunge into the Octopus’s Garden, where marine creatures perform a slow-motion aquatic ballet.
Lady Madonna
Celebrating the strength, beauty and courage of motherhood, Lady Madonna dances with children at her feet. The dance ensemble performs high-energy “Gumboot” choreography. Accompanied by her rock ‘n’ roll lover, Sugar Plum Fairy, they celebrate love in all its joys and hardships.
Here Comes the Sun
This tranquil moment of enlightenment is the climax of the psychedelic trip, bridging Western values and Eastern culture. Four female artists perform aerial yoga in a garden of contemplative light, evoking the spiritual journey taken by The Beatles and their new-found state of consciousness.
Come Together
Led by a Krishna-like figure, this sensual dance is an unbridled release of sexual energy, wrapped in a political statement of the times. It’s an exhibition of free love in rebellion of the accepted conventions of order.
Revolution / Back in the USSR
In this energetic trampoline performance, long-haired free-spirits playfully attempt to tame and jostle the authorities with their daring, fast-paced acrobatics.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
A solo female dancer ponders the sad loneliness of unrequited love. She contemplates her past in a soulful dance under a rain of falling love letters.
A Day in the Life
This somber yet whimsical tale features a dramatic aerial straps act and a poetic recounting of personal loss and eternal love.
Hey Jude
Red poppy petals swirl as a symbol of remembrance. The consoling lyrics and soothing melody are a chant of reconciliation.
Sgt. Pepper (Reprise)
In this explosion of joy, performers soar on latex tubes and Korean ropes as the entire cast revels in Beatlemania euphoria with the audience.
All You Need is Love
A montage of The Beatles projected on red Kabuki curtains that fills the audience with wonderful nostalgia and a message of LOVE.
LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
Since The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil had its premiere in 2006 the show has celebrated a number of highlights, such as:
On September 22, 2006, almost 200 Cirque du Soleil “Passionates” descended upon the theater for the 7:30pm performance, giving their brand of LOVE to the performers. (CirqueCon 2006: Las Vegas!)
On June 26, 2007, in celebration of its first anniversary, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, Olivia Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté took part in a special dedication ceremony in honor of John Lennon and George Harrison. Two plaques designed by Cirque du Soleil creators were unveiled in the LOVE Theatre Lobby to celebrate the two former Beatles and their contributions to the production, LOVE. Paul McCartney said, “It’s great to be unveiling this because the guys aren’t here and the show’s been such a great success. They were magnificent men and it is an honor to unveil this plaque to them.” Ringo Starr said, “George was a great musician, he was a dear friend. I love him and miss him. God bless him and I’m sure wherever he is, he’s smiling right now.”
Yoko Ono said, “I’d just like to say that John would have been very happy and glad that this show was such a success and also that Paul, another magnificent man is here to present John’s plaque.” Olivia Harrison said, “I’d like to thank The Mirage for giving us a home here and also to Guy and to Cirque and their artists. This show is so demanding on them and their lives revolve around 10 performances a week. I don’t think George would be surprised at the success of this collaboration.” Guy Laliberté said, “It’s our first anniversary but I think it’s much more than that. I think it’s a celebration of a great journey that started a year ago. And you know at Cirque du Soleil, we can only be proud to have done what we’ve done in Vegas so far.”
On July 11, 2008, LOVE celebrated its 1,000th performance, announcing 1,947,238 visitors had seen the show since it premiered.
On August 20, 2010, LOVE celebrated its 2,000th performance.
It’s been a long and winding road from initial spark to the eventual staging of The Beatles LOVE, but through dedication and working hard eight days a week, Cirque du Soleil has given us a smashing spectacle that’s just getting better all the time.
We congratulate the cast and crew of The Beatles LOVE on reaching its 3,000th performance, and though tomorrow never knows, we hope for many, many more to come!
