======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ '/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ '/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) T h e U n o f f i c i a l C i r q u e d u S o l e i l N e w s l e t t e r ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.CirqueFascination.com ------------------------------------------------------------ ======================================================================= VOLUME 20, NUMBER 11 November 2020 ISSUE #202 ======================================================================= Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. Another month has passed and there's still a lot of silence out of Montreal or Las Vegas, even though some Las Vegas productions are beginning to come back to life. Cirque du Soleil? Nothing. So we continue to wait and see what of the Cirque survives. In the meantime, continue diving into the past with the third part in a seven part series that takes a look back at the experiences and oddities that Cirque has announced (or were rumored to be happening) over the years but never came to fruition. I also have a peek into Cirque du Soleil's VIP offerings over the years with "Cirque du Rouge: Rolling Out the Red Carpet" should you be interested in that. And... readers rejoice! Matt is back with a second installment of "The Cirque Sound"... this time taking a look at Saltimbanco. So, let's get into it! /----------------------------------------------------\ | | | Join us on the web at: | | < www.cirquefascination.com > | | | | Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): | | < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > | | | \----------------------------------------------------/ - Ricky "Richasi" Russo =========== CONTENTS =========== o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings * La Presse -- General News & Highlights o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information * BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau * Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues * Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets * Webseries -- Official Online Featurettes * Videos -- Official Peeks & Noted Fan Finds o) Fascination! Features * "The Cirque Sound: Saltimbanco" By: Matt Dibrindisi - Northampton, Massachusetts (USA) * "Cirque du Rouge: Rolling Out the Red Carpet" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) * "What Ifs and If Onlys, Part 3 of 7" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= *************************************************************** LA PRESSE -- General News & Highlights *************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------- Cirque Lenders' Takeover Plan Approved by Quebec Judge {Oct.21.2020} ---------------------------------------------------------- A Quebec judge approved a plan giving lenders of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group control of the live performance company as it prepares to relaunch some of its shows. "The transaction has been green-lighted," Cirque spokeswoman Caroline Couillard said in an emailed message. "All parties can move forward, finalize and sign contracts and paperwork." The decision Tuesday positions the creditors' group, including Toronto-based Catalyst Capital Group Inc., to take the driver's seat in determining what Cirque will look like in a post-Covid world. Until the closing of the deal, which is expected to happen around Nov. 6, the board is running the company, according to Couillard. While some minor details are still being ironed out, Cirque shareholders including TPG, China's Fosun International Ltd. and Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, the province's pension fund, will see their investment wiped out when the deal closes. TPG bought a majority stake in 2015. First-lien creditors, owed more than $900 million as of March 31, will wind up with virtually all of the equity. The group leading the bid has said it plans to inject $375 million of new capital into the Montreal-based company, which was forced shut down all of its 44 shows at the onset of the pandemic. The creditors' offer was the result of intense negotiations after existing shareholders led by TPG tabled an initial bid backed by the Quebec government. Creditors rejected that offer, which would have left them with a 45% equity stake. { SOURCE: Bloomberg } ---------------------------------------------------------- The Beatles' company banked over £50 million last year {Nov.06.2020} ---------------------------------------------------------- Apple Corps Limited's annual accounts showed a turnover of £50,244,899 for the 12 months ending in January, the equivalent of £137,657 a day, despite the group having gone their separate ways more than 50 years ago. According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, of the figure, surviving members Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr, along with John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and George Harrison's widow Olivia, received £6.1 million each. This was made up of £1,417,000 in dividends and £4,719,500 in "connection with the provision of promotional services and name and likeness rights". Apple Corps' figures also showed they made a pre-tax profit of £8,606,191. A large chunk of the money comes from Las Vegas stage show ‘Love', a joint venture with Cirque du Soleil. The figures are a huge growth on the previous year, when turnover was £36.5 million with a pre-tax profit of £5.5 million, and shares to Paul, Ringo, Yoko and Olivia were £3,685,000. { SOURCE: The Daily Mirror } ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Alegria, Bazzar, Koozå, Kurios, Luzia, Totem, Under the Same Sky, and Volta} o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues {OVO, Crystal, Corteo, AXEL, Messi10} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, MJ ONE, JOYA, Paramour X: The Land of Fantasy, Drawn to Life, and NYSA } NOTE: .) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate touring dates and locations available, the information in this section is subject to change without notice. As such, the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of these listings. For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts, please visit Cirque's website: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ >, or for a more comprehensive tour listing, visit our Itinéraire section online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=6898 >. ------------------------------------ BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau ------------------------------------ Alegría-In a New Light: Portland, OR -- Jun 4, 2021 to Jul 18, 2021 Denver, CO -- Aug 6, 2021 to Sep 12, 2021 Bazzar: Not Currently Scheduled Koozå: Zurich, CH -- TBA Washington, DC -- Jul 21, 2021 to Sep 19, 2021 Kurios: Melbourne, AU -- TBA Adelaide, AU -- TBA Luzia: Madrid, ES -- Rescheduled Barcelona, ES -- Jan 21, 2021 to Feb 21, 2021 Messi10: Not Currently Scheduled Totem: Rome, IT -- Mar 17 2021 to Apr 25, 2021 Milan, IT -- May 5, 2021 to Jun 20, 2021 Under the Same Sky: Montreal, QC -- Apr 22, 2021 to Aug 15, 2021 VOLTA: Not Currently Scheduled ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ OVO: Not Currently Scheduled CRYSTAL - A BREAKTHROUGH ICE EXPERIENCE: Hanover, DE -- Sep 22, 2021 - Sep 26, 2021 Leipzip, DE -- Sep 29, 2021 - Oct 3, 2021 Nuremberg, DE -- Oct 6, 2021 - Oct 10, 2021 Cologne, DE -- Oct 13, 2021 - Oct 17, 2021 Oberhausen, DE -- Oct 27, 2021 - Oct 31, 2021 Munich, DE -- Nov 4, 2021 - Nov 7, 2021 Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 10, 2021 - Nov 14, 2021 Stuttgart, DE -- Dec 1, 2021 - Dec 5, 2021 CORTEO: Vilnius, LT -- Nov 26, 2020 to Nov 29, 2020 Moscow, RU -- Mar 26, 2021 to Apr 25, 2021 Saint Petersburg, RU -- May 19, 2021 to May 23, 2021 Lille, FR -- Jun 10, 2021 to Jun 13, 2021 Antwerp, BE -- Jun 17, 2021 to Jun 27, 2021 London, UK -- Jun 30, 2021 to Jul 11, 2021 Dublin, IE -- Jul 14, 2021 to Jul 25, 2021 Palma de Mallorca, ES -- Aug 6, 2021 to Aug 15, 2021 Nice, FR -- Aug 19, 2021 to Aug 22, 2021 Vienna, AU -- Sep 1, 2021 to Sep 5, 2021 Aix-en-Provence, FR -- Oct 27, 2021 to Oct 31, 2021 Monpellier, FR -- Nov 4, 2021 to Nov 7, 2021 Leeds, UK -- Oct 27 to Oct 30, 2022 AXEL: Not Currently Scheduled Messi10: Buenos Aires -- Being Rescheduled --------------------------------- RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre --------------------------------- JOYÀ: Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Shows restarted on July 3, 2020 X: THE LAND OF FANTASY Location: Hangzhou, China Performances of "X: The Land of Fantasy" staged on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting June 3, 2020 ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= o) CIRQUECONNECT SPECIALS Enjoy a front-row seat to awe-inspiring moments of the larger- than-life shows, with never-before seen angles that can only be experienced on your screen. - SPECIAL #30: LUZIA, CORTEO, VOLTA {Oct.30} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN-gNUq0utA - SPECIAL #31: VAREKAI, ALEGRIA, QUIDAM {Nov.06} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN-gNUq0utA o) CIRQUE ME OUT: DANCE WORKOUTS - EPISODE 1: RITMOS {Oct.15} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aezvv7J4QSM - EPISODE 2: SALSA AND MORE {Oct.21} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE9Qn8-_yCg - EPISODE 3: REGGAETON AND MORE {Oct.28} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixL-4eGSLHs - EPISODE 4: CAPOEIRA WORKOUT {Nov.04} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMCXTMA-oL4 o) BIG TOP ACADEMY - SCHOOL'S OUT EDITION Over the break, the students of Big Top Academy are staying in touch through The Big Top Bulletin! - EPISODE 1: https://youtu.be/UZtaOcGaYU4 {Oct.24} When Ms. Martel reveals the coveted title of Big Top Bulletin Editor is up for grabs, everybody wants the role. There's never been a circus show in the Big Top Bulletin, but that's about to change. - EPISODE 2: https://youtu.be/rgliWzFOn7c {Oct.24} So, Ms. Martel assigns our always competitive circus kids the ultimate challenge: each of them will have the chance to "audition" by putting together their very own issue of the Bulletin! As the first guest editor of the Big Top Bulletin, Nicholas' goal is to be the best by doing something completely unexpected - being himself. - EPISODE 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdkBxyNUNH4 {Oct.31} April is determined to make her "edish" bigger, better and sparkler. What's the point of a Big Top Bulletin when Big Top Academy seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth? - EPISODE 4: https://youtu.be/K7_313Xq5GI {Oct.31} It's up to Lumpo the Clown to prove that when it comes to circus, the winning formula is friendship. - EPISODE 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnCz39GMjLE {Nov.07} On a family road trip, Phoenix discovers that circus can happen anywhere and everywhere. - EPISODE 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgXw90nDuqQ {Nov.07} The solution to a mind-blowing mystery lies in a circus showcase. ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= o) "The Cirque Sound: Saltimbanco" By: Matt Dibrindisi - Northampton, Massachusetts (USA) o) "Cirque du Rouge: Rolling Out the Red Carpet" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) o) "What Ifs and If Onlys, Part 3 of 7" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ------------------------------------------------------------ "The Cirque Sound: Saltimbanco" By: Matt Dibrindisi - Northampton, Massachusetts (USA) ------------------------------------------------------------ Cirque music until this point had always been modern and "of the time"- the frantic new age synthiness of Le Magie Continue and Le Cirque Reinvente and the mystery and operatic bombast of Nouvelle Experience- but Saltimbanco was, in a way, the first to start breaking away from musical fantasy: it was funkier, the grooves were tighter and it more accurately reflected a changing world ready to receive its candy-coated vision of urbanism. Composer Rene Dupere injected the show with a wide kaleidoscope of influences, from rock and funk fusion, to Cuban and Latin rhythms to classical Italian opera. Bringing this new direction to life was the decision to include lyrics throughout the show, a first for Cirque, and writing them in their own unique and fantastical language, inspired by syllables in German, Arabic, Swedish and many other languages. Saltimbanco was the second Cirque show to use the Korg Wavestation, introduced in 1990, after Nouvelle. One of the main selling points was something Korg calls "wave sequencing", or a programmed pattern or sequence of multiple short waveforms. Rounding out the new show's sound was the use of not only a ton of factory presets ranging from strings to complex wavesequences, but custom loops programmed on the Wavestation composed by Dupere. A quick note before we take a dive into the kaleidoscopic sounds of Saltimbanco: * Indicates custom wavesequences composed by Rene Dupere that I've recreated from scratch cross-referencing with both the Live in Amsterdam album and a video recording of the show from May 1992. These patches and loops might more closely reflect the early days of Saltimbanco up through Live in Amsterdam, though not assuredly the 1998 restaging. A (fairly expensive) virtual Wavestation plugin is currently available from Korg (which is where I found all the following presets), but just might be worth it: https://www.korg.com/us/products/software/kc_wavestation/ Et maintenant... Cri langomam face… Saltimbanco! *Barock Loop -- Custom programmed for Saltimbanco, this complex wavesequence sets the mood for a wild party. You'd probably be surprised to know that this was NOT the original wavesequence used at premiere (a fairly simpler custom sequence was used), but instead made its way into the show later in 1992, presumably around the release of the CD. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/BarockLoopSample.mp3 ROM 4> Wave 7: BizyVox -- OK, many Cirque soundtracks are known for arranging songs differently for CD and Barock is no different. Surprisingly, the most distinctive element in the entire song is replaced by a similar preset loop, which you'll hear first raw and then with the delay used on the CD. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/BarockBizyVoxSample.mp3 *Arlequin Loop -- Another custom wavesequence for Saltimbanco, this frenetic loop kicks off Arlequin, a tight funk groove with an equally frenetic act. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/ArlequinLoopSample.mp3 *Pokinoi Loop -- Something from the crates, this custom wavesequence accompanied Pokinoi when it was still used for the Vertical Rope act. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/PokinoiLoopSample.mp3 ROM 6> 10: The Wave Police (left half) -- This patch is a very interesting split that contains not one, but TWO signature Saltimbanco sounds. The lefthand/bass half makes up the loop as featured in the beginning of Urgence/hand to hand. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/UrgenceLoopSample.mp3 ROM 6> 10: The Wave Police (right half) -- The righthand half of this preset contains a sharp brass section used for the melody and suspense riffs of Arlequin. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/ArlequinBrassSample.mp3 RAM 1> 17: Bowed Strings -- One of the most recognizable sounds in the show, there's no mistaking the pounding rhythm of these strings as the Multicolored Worms storm the stage during Saltimbanco/Poles. These rich synthesized strings appear all throughout the show, for example in Amazonia/duo trapeze and Pokinoï/vertical rope. http://www.cirquefascination.com/newspix/Samples/SaltiBowedStringsSample.mp3 Kurzweil K2000-189: Northern Winds -- Juzoom juzoom, bao gan mei... this haunting ambient effect kicks off Act II as the Baron takes the stage to reveal his much darker side... https://youtu.be/6K9XPv9ZREY?t=2228 To be Continued! ------------------------------------------------------------ "Cirque du Rouge: Rolling Out the Red Carpet" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ------------------------------------------------------------ A VIP, or a very important personage, is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence, or importance. Examples include celebrities, heads of state, major employers, high rollers, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other socially notable person who receives special treatment for any reason. The special treatment usually involves separation from "common people" and a higher level of comfort or service. In some cases, such as with tickets, VIP may be used as a title in a similar way to premium or exclusive. At Cirque du Soleil, one can become a VIP through an up-charged ticket experience called Tapis Rouge. "Tapis Rouge" (tah-pee rooj) is a French idiomatic that literally translates to "red carpet". A red carpet is traditionally used to mark the route taken by heads of state on ceremonial and formal occasions, and has in recent decades been extended to use by VIPs and celebrities at formal events, hence Cirque's use of the term to denote their VIP Experiences. In more general terms, Cirque du Soleil is "rolling out the red carpet" for you, their guest, in the interests of hospitality, which, for a price, affords the guest special VIP treatment, such as the best seats available, access to a special tent or suite, delectable food and wines served with Cirque du Soleil flair, special festive atmosphere including original music, a display of colors and styles in a stunning environment, and, take home souvenirs (including an exclusive show program). "Tapis Rouge takes you into the sensational world of Cirque du Soleil," the pitch begins. "There you'll discover an array of mouth- watering food, fine wines, and unique entertainment all served up in a stunning setting and a comfortable atmosphere. Then, you'll be whisked off to the best seats in the house to witness a magical story of beauty, fantasy and poetry that only Cirque du Soleil can tell!" What could be better than that? The history of VIP experiences at Cirque du Soleil is tenuous at best, but in this article, we'll do our best to shed some light on these unique, and very well-received experiences. A FRIEND OF CIRQUE? ------------------- First: are you a friend of Cirque du Soleil? As a fan you'd probably answer "yes" without any hesitation. But would you be surprised if I told you the answer was most likely "no"? Before you wrinkle your forehead in confusion or yell out in protest let me ask you another question: ever come across a page dotted with star-like shapes accompanying names within your Cirque du Soleil programmes and wondered what that page was all about? If you've seen such a page (and I'd be surprised in this day and age if you had), then you've stumbled upon the recognition for "The Friends of Cirque du Soleil" – a rewards program for those patrons who helped Cirque fund its spectacles – and the reason behind this line of questioning. The page described can be found in many of Cirque's earliest printed programmes, from its first organized tour through Quidam's original North American Tour (1996- 1998). Yet, the purpose of the page was rarely described. "The Friends..." was a special club created by Cirque du Soleil to recognize its greatest sponsors and most generous contributors in its earliest days. Cirque du Soleil wasn't always the multi-million-dollar company it is today, and in the beginning, the majority of the company's operational budget came from the Canadian Government, but that just wasn't enough. In order to keep up with their needs, another percentage of their budget was donated from companies and citizens within Canada itself. It's those donations that are honored on "The Friends of Cirque du Soleil" page. And how did you become an honored "Friend" of Cirque du Soleil? Simple, by "purchasing" a seat under the big top for $500.00 CDN or more, placing you in one of three categories: Silver, Gold or Platinum. And depending on the amount you donated you received a plethora of unique gifts. For a donation between $500.00 CDN and $999.99 CDN, you were considered Silver Status and received a permanently affixed nameplate on a ringside seat under the big top with the donators name on it. For a donation between $1000.00 CDN and $4999.99 CDN, you were considered Gold Status and received the same rights and privileges as a Silver Status member and two other perks: the donator's name printed every year in the Cirque du Soleil souvenir program, and the donator's name posted on the "Friends of the Cirque du Soleil billboard affixed within the confines of the big top. And for a $5000.00 CDN donation or more, you were considered Platinum Status and received the same rights and privileges as a Gold Status member and two additional perks: an honorary certificate attesting to your support of the Cirque, and two complimentary tickets for a show in every city on the tour. Wow! Through the years many individuals and companies donated outright to Cirque or contributed to their "chair buying program". Chair buying programs are nothing new and are put into place to help raise money for a cause – such as keeping a museum running or in this case, a new circus. But with Cirque du Soleil emerging as a major player on not only the circus scene but the performing arts scene by the end of the 1990s, the company no longer needed to rely on government funding or patron donations to keep afloat and "The Friends of Cirque du Soleil" all but disappeared. In fact, the last mention of this program came in the Quidam 1998 programme and with it "The Friends of Cirque du Soleil" became nothing more than a memory. THE DRALION VIP PACKAGE ----------------------- What we would come to know as the TAPIS ROUGE experience started with Dralion as the "Dralion VIP Package" – a "new and exciting way to live the magic of Cirque du Soleil, before the show has even begun." The Dralion VIP Package offered not only top-quality food and service but also a "unique look inside the fantastical universe of Cirque du Soleil" in the intimate setting of the Lincoln-branded suite. "Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience!" the pitch implored, but what did the Dralion VIP package include? o) A Category 1 seat under the blue-and-yellow big top (section 101 or 102), one of the best seats in the house! o) Complimentary preferred parking o) Personalized will-call service and greeting by hosts o) Access to the climate-controlled Lincoln Suite via an exclusive entrance, one hour before the show. o) An array of gourmet hors d'oeuvres (hot and cold) and a variety of refreshments o) Beverages and an assortment of desserts during intermission o) A closer look at Cirque du Soleil, provided by our entertaining hosts and a unique exhibit o) Priority purchase of Cirque du Soleil merchandise o) Complimentary souvenir program, and o) Exclusive Dralion gift (a lantern, and/or a CD) Dralion audiences in Santa Monica, California were the first to try out this new experience when the show opened there on September 23, 1999. It proved successful enough that the "VIP Experience" was extended to Cirque du Soleil's other touring shows at the time – Saltimbanco (as the "Saltimbanco VIP Experience") and Quidam (as the "Quidam VIP Experience") – as the tours at that time were sponsored by Lincoln. (The experience was not transferred to Alegria; it was ending its European Tour and was preparing to settle at the Beau Rivage.) The Lincoln VIP Experiences proved to be so popular that by the next touring show – 2002's VAREKAI – the concept was revamped. TAPIS ROUGE was born (trademark was filed April 17, 2002, published October 2, 2003, and finally registered on December 7, 2004). The "new" concept – now more Cirque-y than ever – proved to be an even bigger success, and it was replicated across all touring big top shows not long thereafter. The moniker TAPIS ROUGE was used to describe the VIP experiences Cirque du Soleil offered for the next 10 years. By mid-2012, the name was inexplicably changed to VIP ROUGE, which… makes absolutely no sense. As earlier defined, VIP is itself an acronym that means Very Important Personage; a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence, importance, or in this case, someone able to afford the higher priced ticket. And "rouge", also mentioned earlier, is simply French for "red." So while the idea of a "red carpet" made sense as a name for Cirque du Soleil's VIP hospitality program, the new name – as translated to be VIP Red – did not. Confusion around the name Tapis Rouge may have contributed to the change (although the program was often billed as the VIP Tapis Rouge Experience, so there should not have been any confusion at all); its corporate sponsorship around the same time may also have contributed to the name change. Either way, the options with VIP Rouge were basically the same with regular upgrades in presentation over the years (new colors and whimsy in 2010, new "glass tent" in 2016, etc.) BECOME A CIRQUE INSIDER! ------------------------- On October 13, 2010, Entertainment Benefits Group (EBG) was proud to announce an exciting new experience by Cirque du Soleil that would include exclusive backstage experiences at The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage and "O" at Bellagio. The packages included a premium ticket and a special backstage tour for one of these Las Vegas production shows, creating an intimate experience for a select number of guests. The "Cirque Insider Access" package was available for select performances starting October 29th of that year and would be exclusively sold through BestOfVegas.com and select retail partners of Entertainment Benefits Group. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Cirque du Soleil to allow fans to experience something so special and that has never been available before now," said Brett D. Reizen, President and CEO for Entertainment Benefits Group. "Cirque du Soleil is known throughout the world for creating some of the most beautiful and amazing experiences for their audiences. Now, with BestOfVegas.com, we can take the audience even further into the creative world of Cirque du Soleil by giving customers an upfront and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at two of the most spectacular shows in the world." The "Cirque Insider Access" package allowed a limited number of guests each night to hear the history of the show's production, get a peek behind the scenes, receive a special Insider Access VIP lanyard, plus a special limited-edition bag with Cirque du Soleil merchandise items. Most importantly, guests would enjoy the show from special reserved seating from the best seats in the house and enjoy front-of-line concession passes. After the performances, guests who enjoyed The Beatles LOVE received special access with a Front-of-Line VIP Pass for Jet Nightclub at Mirage, while the guests that enjoyed "O" were given a Front-of-Line VIP Pass for Bank Nightclub at Bellagio. Special offers were also included for The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge at Mirage and Caramel at Bellagio. The two programs at "O" and LOVE proved so successful that the experience was later extended to KÀ at MGM Grand. Here's how the three were then described: "O" AT BELLAGIO --- This package offers you a performers' perspective as you enter their world, behind the curtain, under the water. Your tour will take you behind the stage, under the stage and through the costume areas, allowing you to take in all the extravagance, the surreal, and the unimaginable pieces that make "O" such a breathtaking creation. Learn about the complexities of maintaining such an elaborate production, the importance of bubbles, yes, bubbles, and even take a moment to relax in the green room among the performers. Some may even be in costume, make up and all! After your tour, you may pinch yourself to remember that you weren't dreaming; you did in fact face the unique props of "O" just moments ago. You did stand within mere feet of a famed Cirque du Soleil performer. And now the show is in full swing, everything you saw backstage comes to life on the "O" stage in one cohesive masterpiece. LOVE AT THE MIRAGE --- Beatles fans, Cirque du Soleil fans, and newcomers to both are guaranteed to marvel at the spectacular production that is LOVE, but before being engulfed in an all too groovy and jaw-dropping performance, take an exclusive tour behind the scenes of LOVE to see how Cirque du Soleil is paying tribute to one greatest rock bands to date. Guided by a former Cirque du Soleil performer, you'll be transported back to the 60s as you boogie your way through props and costumes behind the stage, under the stage, and even above the stage… 52 feet above the stage, to be exact. Marvel at all the levers and pulleys, nooks and crannies that push and pull, drag, and drop props – all bringing the show to life. Venture through the gym and green room where you'll come face to face with some the performers. Some will be in costume and some will even have their make up on. Go on, it's perfectly okay to stare. Learn about some of LOVE's most interesting facts like the youngest performer in the show is 9 years old and played a Beatle. Their oldest performer was 76 and played Eleanor Rigby. Your once- in-a-lifetime experience doesn't end when the tour ends; your Cirque Insider Access package includes a premium ticket to see the show and with the best seats in the house, you'll have your breath taken away as all your newly found knowledge is put on display right in front of you. KA AT MGM GRAND --- This Cirque Insider Access package is now available for guests who are looking for the ultimate, in-depth experience of Cirque du Soleil and the world-famous production "KA". Come witness one of Las Vegas' most popular shows with an exclusive and intimate backstage tour, premium center section seating, front-of-line access to the theater and concessions, exclusive Cirque du Soleil merchandise and much more! The backstage tour experience takes place the afternoon before the performance. Because of the nature of the production, artist training and stage preparation, tours may be modified or altered based on the date. The tour experience includes a full, behind-the-scenes tour with a very small group to observe the stages, cranes, show props and other surprises that will make this truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But this was only the beginning of VIP experiences in Las Vegas. VEGAS VIP ROUGE --------------- While Tapis Rouge proliferated across Cirque's touring shows, VIP services at its resident shows lacked, until in 2008, when Tapis Rouge came to The Beatles LOVE. "LOVE Tapis Rouge invites you on an exclusive behind-the-scenes psychedelic journey," the release stated. "Take a contemporary virtual trip into the world of The Beatles LOVE, while immersed in the ultimate VIP sensory experience created by Cirque du Soleil!" Such as: o) An exclusive reception before the show at REVOLUTION Lounge. o) Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres inspired by The Beatles. o) Delight in a uniquely-designed, festive, musical atmosphere. o) Hosts with information about the show and The Beatles. o) See a backstage video of the making of LOVE. o) Pick up a specially-designed LOVE gift bag (w/souvenir program) o) Then, experience LOVE itself, in preferred seating! o) And after the show, enjoy REVOLUTION lounge through a VIP Entrance with no cover fees (valid for one week after seeing the show!) and one free drink! Tapis Rouge for LOVE began Thursday, June 26, 2008 at a cost of $295.00 USD (+ tax). A similar experience would eventually be ported over to "O", and later still to KA, just like the Cirque Insider packages. Success followed and by early 2014 upgrades to each began to appear. «O» was first by inviting guests to experience the show in ultimate comfort and luxury as it introduced seven new VIP suites to the theater at Bellagio. "Combining the grandeur of the Bellagio with the master creativity of "O" the seven exclusive box suites offer a unique opera-house style and feel," the press release said. "With the suites, guests have a choice of a bottle of champagne or wine, chocolate truffles, and aprivate cocktail server with a full range of ordering options from the show's concessions including popcorn, premium cocktails, chocolate-covered strawberries and more!" Formerly part of the lower balcony Loggia level, the new suites are complete with premium views of the stage overlooking the theater and are comprised of four plush seats each alongside a dedicated speaker system, crystal light fixtures, a private door for entry and soundproof drapery that separates the seven suites for privacy and can also be drawn back to accommodate parties larger than four. The VIP Suites at "O" mark the first-time Cirque du Soleil has combined a VIP seat with such detailed, personalized service. "We're very excited to bring an elevated level of VIP-service to ‘O' with our new suites," said John Byers, company manager of "O" at the time. "The VIP suites allow guests who have previously visited to see the show from an entirely new vantage point and for first-time customers to see the show in a magnificent manner." At launch the new VIP experience at "O" cost $295 per person ($335.45 with taxes and fees). Eventually, these experiences would be re- branded as "Le Grande Expérience" at «O» the Bellagio, "A Toast to LOVE" at The Mirage, the "KÀ Imperial Experience" at the MGM Grand, and by 2019, "In the Wings" at Mystère, Treasure Island, with a few more amenities, such as: THE BEATLES "TOAST TO LOVE" EXPERIENCE o) Pre-Show Experience – Enjoy an amazing pre-show experience surrounded with Beatles Love's own artists, as they share their point of view and journey. o) Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour – Awestruck in wonder how the show comes to life minutes before the performance with a backstage tour. The narrated backstage tour features the history of The Beatles. The tour starts at 6:00pm. o) Enjoy Premium Seating – Enjoy the best seats in the house while watching an inspiring performance. o) Remember the Moment – Receive a commemorative photograph in a lovely souvenir folio. KA "VIP IMPERIAL" EXPERIENCE o) Exclusivity – Enjoy a private entrance and early access to the VIP Lounge with a dedicated host to present fascinating historical and technical information about the show whilst you sip and nibble on a complimentary beverage and snack of your choice. o) Meet & Greet – Rub elbows with some of our artists, and get to know the person behind the makeup, captured by a professional photographer o) Imperial Seating – Enjoy one of the best seats in the house in our elevated Imperial Experience box o) Remember the Moment – Professional photos of your artists meet & greet are delivered to you in a lovely souvenir folio. «O» "LA GRANDE" EXPERIENCE o) Pre-show Reception – Enjoy an exciting pre-show reception with champagne and hors d'ourves as you relax in our private VIP room. Whilst waiting, get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at "O" on an exclusive video. o) Meet & Greet – Mingle with the performers before they take the stage. A professional photo to capture the moment is included o) Best Seats in the House – Enjoy our plush VIP seating accompanied with wine or champagne and private cocktail service o) Remember the Moment – Leave the show with champagne flutes and a commemorative photograph MYSTERE "IN THE WINGS" o) Pre-Show – Enjoy an exciting pre-show experience with cocktails. o) Exclusive access – Get early theater access to enjoy exclusive time with the artists from Mystère. Also participate in a high-five finale moment with the cast. o) Meet & Greet – Meet with the cast of Mystère o) Premium Seats – Enjoy a VIP seating and get a "in the Wings" view. o) Champagne – Sip on a glass of champagne while enjoying the performance. o) Remember the Moment – Receive a commemorative photograph Phew! GO BEHIND THE SCENES... ----------------------- Eventually, Cirque du Soleil would expand beyond the Tapis Rouge hospitality experience to offer other up-charged, hard-ticketed events for big top tours, such as the "Premium Behind-the-Scenes Experience". The pitch: Have you ever wondered what goes on backstage at a Cirque du Soleil show? Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of being part of a creative production unlike any other? Here's your chance! Behind the Scenes offers you a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the secret world behind a Cirque du Soleil show. Along with a maximum of 20 guests, you will get an intimate view from a whole new perspective as this package grants you exclusive access before and after the show to production areas normally restricted to the general public. This private excursion also included: o) Guided backstage visit for insights into life on tour o) Access to the best seats and to the VIP area for food and drinks o) Meet and greet with artists after the show, w/ a Q&A session o) Exclusive lanyard and show souvenir program Don't miss your chance to get an insider's look at our fascinating universe and follow in the footsteps of artists and staff members who bring our creativity to the stage every day," the pitch concluded, and for those who had never had the opportunity to see the behind-the- scenes operations of a touring show, this provided that opportunity – though it was costly (prices fluctuated depending on city.) Behind the Scenes packages were applicable to select evening performances only and tours were only available in English except where specified. The tour started 90 minutes before show time at the Cirque du Soleil Box Office. L'EXPERIENCE IN ORLANDO ----------------------- While Cirque du Soleil had given its Las Vegas shows the royal VIP treatment with not only sneak peeks at trainings (free) and behind- the-scenes tours during the day (paid ticket), it largely ignored its other resident show in North America – La Nouba – when it came to these up-charged events. That is until July 11, 2014, when a new backstage experience – called L'Experience – was put on offer for Friday and Saturday performances only. The $250 + tax package included: o) A viewing of the 6pm show with front and center category seating o) Souvenir popcorn and soft drinks o) A Cirque du Soleil gift bag with merchandise o) A meet and greet with a performer from the show o) A look backstage at costuming and other areas, and… o) 10% discount for use in the gift shop This experience actually grew out of a 2012 offering entitled "La Nouba: Dinner and a Show". This limited-time offer included dinner at House of Blues (1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 non-alcoholic/non-specialty drink and 1 dessert – gratuity not included), and a Category 2 ticket to "La Nouba". The package cost $99 plus tax, per guest age 10 and older, and $85 plus tax for guests age 3-9, for a savings of about 25% for adults. How about that. GET MARRIED WITH THE ZUMANS! ---------------------------- How's that old saying go? Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue? Bah who needs that! Are you looking to spice up your wedding just a bit? How about a Zumanity Wedding by Cirque du Soleil? Cirque began offering weddings at Zumanity at the beginning of 2016, and it is truly something special. "Your love is unique and extraordinary," the pamphlet begins. "At Zumanity, we not only understand but celebrate that!" Similar to the show, Zumanity weddings celebrate love in all forms, and this unforgettable ceremony will allow loved ones to bear witness to an exclusive, yet meaningful, commitment to marriage in an extraordinary way. Both true Zumanity fans and couples who dare to love boldly will enjoy the incorporation of Cirque du Soleil artists into their one-of-kind and never-before-offered experience. The celebration of love will begin with Edie, Zumanity's ‘Mistress of Sensuality,' performing the marriage ceremony inside the plush Zumanity Theatre Lobby, joined by two additional artists to escort the couple down the aisle. Following the unconventional nuptials, the newlyweds will rejoice in their special commitment with a sparkling wine toast and enjoy the cabaret-style show from VIP seating in the "Love Seat" sofas, getting the best view in the house of electrifying acrobats, soaring aerialists and lustful dancers. Couples will also receive a keepsake marriage certificate and a professional photo and video package offered by Cashman Photo that includes a dedicated photographer, high-resolution and web-resolution images, a high- definition video of the ceremony and a live webcast of the ceremony available for 30 days. Available to adults 18+, a Zumanity Wedding is a wedding experience that will leave everyone talking about the unexpectedly sexy and risqué way you chose to tie the knot!" Zumanity wedding packages start at $3,500 and include: o) Intimate ceremony performed by our "Mistress of Sensuality, Edie" in the lobby of the Zumanity Theater o) Escort by two (2) Zumanity artists o) Professional Photo/Video package by Cashman Photo: o) Dedicated photographer o) High resolution images for archiving and printing o) Web resolution images for social media sharing o) Online ordering of prints and photo products o) A High Definition video of the ceremony o) A live "webcast" of your ceremony with 30 days of replay o) Keepsake Marriage Certificate + official certificate filing with the State of Nevada** o) Sparkling Wine Toast (for participants age 21+) o) 2 VIP Sofa Seats (Category A) for the happy couple to watch the show. Naturally there are some caveats, such as other Zumanity MCs will be substituted as necessary in case Edie is not available. And that parties to be married are responsible for obtaining an official Marriage License from the Clark County Marriage License Bureau and must present prior to the ceremony along with government-issue photo identification. (And that's because the "keepsake certificate" is for souvenir purposes only. If needed, the couple must request legal copy of the Marriage Certificate from the Clark County Clerk beginning up to 15 days post-ceremony.) Do all that and your Zumanity marriage will be legal and binding in the State of Nevada! (Note, weddings are held prior to the 7:00pm performance only. Not available on Wednesday or Thursdays.) SPARK SESSIONS -------------- And last, but certainly not least… In 2015, Cirque du Soleil moved from the Big Top to the boardroom: As of October 1st, the Québec-based performance group began offering "SPARK Sessions" for VIP groups in the entertainment company's theatres, studios and training facilities in Las Vegas. Exclusive workshops custom-built for corporate groups, the sessions were designed to stimulate creativity, innovation, and synergy by harnessing Cirque du Soleil principles and best practices. "Our guests have always wanted to go behind the curtain at a Cirque du Soleil performance, and companies have been asking us for years how we manage to spark the creativity that you see on stage," said James Guilford, Creator and Content Strategist for SPARK at Cirque du Soleil. "SPARK Sessions are our way to bring people into the Cirque world while also creating some of the most interactive and educational teambuilding experiences right on stage. It's our hope that SPARK Sessions will ignite innovation, thoughtfulness, curiosity, and creativity in everyone who participates." Primarily, SPARK Sessions are designed to share the unique approaches Cirque du Soleil takes on creativity, branding, talent acquisition, and other topics relevant to top performing companies. Guilford says these sessions are a logical next step for Cirque du Soleil. "Cirque's dual identity as both a corporate entity and a contemporary circus requires us to employ nonconventional methods to solve challenges all modern businesses must face" explains Guilford. "By default, we have to think out of the box about things like talent acquisition – especially if the talent you want to acquire is an expert acro- contortionist." Offered exclusively to VIP groups and corporate teams, SPARK Sessions included out-of-the-box client events, employee incentive programs, and more. In 2015, when the program began, Cirque du Soleil offered two of these session types – Learning and Teambuilding – starting at $550 USD per person: Learning Sessions illustrated how Cirque du Soleil fueled innovation, maintained operational excellence, and nurtured creativity in employees. They included: o) Journey – a tailor-made tour providing insights and sneak peeks o) Forum – an interactive panel discussion by Cirque experts o) Flare – a demonstration of the theatre's amazing abilities SPARK's teambuilding session, "Soar," challenged participants to build synergy by creating a cast of characters and building a performance with make-up, costuming and props in a unique Cirque du Soleil space. Outcomes included improved communication, collaboration and trust. This session included: o) Formation – instruction by artists and coaches o) Exhibition – a live performance by the participants o) Flash – a photo with characters in full costume and make-up By 2017, SPARK Sessions would expand into multi-tiered experiences. By then SPARK had hosted corporations like Google, Adobe, Home Depot, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, SABMiller, and Life Time Fitness to name a few. "Some of these top-performing companies came to use Cirque because we are uniquely positioned to speak on topics such as talent acquisition or dynamic customer experiences," says Guilford. "Think about it. The nature of our shows requires us to seek and invest in top talent. Moreover, since audiences come to Cirque for spectacle, we are tasked to deliver amazing CX every night." Kris Chanski, producer of Cirque Experiences adds, "We have many clients that come to Cirque seeking our signature wow-factor. Some use SPARK Experiences to reward their top-performing team members. Others want to provide out-of-the-box wow moment for their most valuable clients." With three different workshops—Teambuilding Sessions, Experiences, and Notes—SPARK was able to accommodate groups of all sizes, giving each participant a uniquely rewarding experience. "We like to think of it as Harvard Leadership Institute meets Alice in Wonderland," says Kris Chanski, Producer of Client Experiences for SPARK. These include: o) SPARK Teambuilding Sessions (available for groups of 20 – 40 people) provided a teambuilding activity that included a meet-and- greet and photo op with Cirque du Soleil artists; gave instruction in Cirque arts by the company's world-class artists, coaches, and choreographers; and included a live performance on a Cirque du Soleil stage by the group with makeup, costumes, and props. o) SPARK Experiences (available for groups of 50 – 300 people) provided a "wow moment" activity that included a meet-and-greet and photo op with Cirque du Soleil artists; contained a one-hour immersive experience including an interactive presentation of the theater's state-of-the-art technological abilities; and held discussions with the theater team on how they made the show come to life each night. o) SPARK Notes (variable group size) offered a panel discussion brought directly to your Las Vegas meeting or conference space; gave an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from experts at the company; and had a dynamic closing act performed up close and personal by the artists of Cirque du Soleil. In addition, each participant – regardless of session type – also received a ticket to the show to see for themselves how Cirque du Soleil practiced what they preached. The 2017 edition of SPARK Experiences started at $275 per person whilst SPARK Sessions started at $950.Unfortunately, it does not appear that SPARK Sessions and Experiences lasted much beyond 2017. In 2018, the program's creator – James Guilford – left Cirque du Soleil and the program was quietly removed from the company's website. * * * And there you have it, some of the more unique VIP experiences that Cirque du Soleil has offered over the years – many of them still available today (or would be, had COVID-19 not shut down the company). This is not an exhaustive list, however, as Cirque du Soleil has paired with VISA, MasterCard, and other companies over the years to provide "unique" premium behind-the-scenes programs and experiences exclusive to that card or product user, which... to be perfectly honest… match or matched the VIP programs Cirque already had in existence (in practice these are just sponsors of the current VIP Rouge experience, such as MasterCard in Canada or Hennessy Black in other locations). And we didn't touch on any of the "Golden Circle", "Producer Seats" or other up-charge tickets for seats in this article as these are as labeled – seat upgrades – rather than true VIP experiences. That being said I hope you enjoyed this historical peek into VIP experiences at Cirque. Until next time! ------------------------------------------------------------ "What Ifs and If Onlys, Part 3 of 7" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ------------------------------------------------------------ You remember Google Glass, right? The brand of smart glasses - an optical head-mounted display designed in the shape of a pair of eyeglasses - that were all the rage in, oh, 2014 or so? Do you remember a report that suggested Zarkana at Aria would become the first Cirque production to use the technology to enhance the audience's experience of the show? No? Yeah, I forgot about it too... In a May 2014 article, Robin Leach suggested that artists would wear the Google inventions to give audiences a "bird's-eye view" to experience the same feelings and sensations that the performers do. "It will be as if the audience is riding inside and on top of the Wheel of Death," he proclaimed. And that "the blue sand lady [would] wear the glasses so audiences can see how she creates her amazing designs. And even British twin aerialists Andrew and Kevin Atherton would wear the glasses so that audiences could experience even more just how amazing their daredevil feats were in the spectacular!" To say he was excited would be an understatement. Robin did go on to suggest that if the test at Zarkana was met with positive audience reaction it would be rolled out - where applicable - at other Cirque shows around the world. Since we've never seen Google Glass at other shows, it's not hard to determine the outcome of the test. Zarkana did go on to help launch the Samsung Gear VR through a stereoscopic 360- degree experience that put spectators in the center of the aerial strap performance. But I digress. Here are a couple of other experiences we forgot about... CIRQUE HAS HEART, OR DOES IT? ----------------------------- On June 24, 2014, The Montreal Gazette got wind that there was a possible Cirque du Soleil-themed restaurant in the works, as culinary giants Albert and Ferran Adrià had revealed more details about their next major restaurant venture in Ibiza, a project they claimed would be gargantuan and international in scale. In an interview with Spanish publication El Confidencial's Vanitatis section, Albert Adrià dropped grandiose hints but few concrete details on the concept: The restaurant, he said, will be multi-disciplinary, international, with a global impact. "It won't be just a restaurant, but something more," he said. "And it won't be just about dining. We're going to surprise the world with a park of cultural and artistic attractions for adults," he said. Albert and Ferran Adrià, spirit and soul of restaurant elBulli, can certainly be considered the most well-known brothers in the world of gastronomy. For many, elBulli is considered a before-and-after of modern cuisine, not only for the creation of innumerable elaborations and techniques, but also for its philosophy and values such as creativity, passion, challenge, and humility, which have always defined the way Albert and Ferran work. The Adrià brothers are also known for their willingness to communicate and spread recent developments in gastronomy through their participation in conferences, projects and books. Over the years, elBulli has been an incubator for some of the foremost chefs in modern gastronomy. Rene Redzepi, Andoni Aduriz, Joan Roca, Grant Achatz, José Andrés and Massimo Bottura are among the most eminent of the more than 2,000 trainees that have completed an internship at elBulli over the years. Very impressive. On February 13, 2015, Cirque du Soleil officially announced the collaboration with the Adrià Brothers: HEART Ibiza, a unique and exciting concept that explored the creative collision between food, music and art. For more than 10 years, Albert and Ferran Adrià and Guy Laliberté had been sharing ideas on the concept and this project was born from their common passion for art, gastronomy and music. HEART Ibiza was slated to open in May of 2015 with three experiences: o) THE BARAKÀ – A hippie chic take on street food markets. This outside terrace features curated music, original contemporary art pieces, ambient live art performances and gastronomy. Inspired by traditional street food markets and various street foods of the world, the Adrià brothers have taken great care to design an astonishing gastronomic offer to create a unique and global experience. o) THE WORKSHOP – Where to experience art, music and food. The Workshop is a unique space that offers a seated food service experience combining ambient visual and performance art, curated music and signature Adrià gastronomy. o) LA BOÎTE – A live music venue, featuring live bands, live art, and a decadent food and beverage service. A space where the hottest nightlife ingredients mix in different ways to create a distinct flavor resulting from the creative genius of the Adrià Brothers and Cirque du Soleil. And then the project dropped off of the Cirque du Soleil radar. So, what happened? The answer is both simple and complicated, so let me walk you through it: After the successful launches of "O" and La Nouba (yep, that far back), Guy Laliberté wanted to expand Cirque du Soleil's international business activities and take the company in brand-new directions. But he was met with some skepticism by not only his long-time director Franco Dragone, but also his long-time business partner Daniel Gauthier. Exhaustion from creating both shows at the same time was beginning to set in; Franco Dragone was worn out. He wanted to rest; Guy Laliberté did not. "One time, I talked to Guy, and I say to Guy, 'We have already so many shows.' And he say, 'Oh, Franco, don't worry. There are so many places to do a show.'" Dragone, fearful of losing creative control and uncomfortable with this direction, departed. Likewise, Daniel Gauthier was equally uncomfortable with the future vision that Guy had for the company, and thus left. So with nothing and nobody to stop him, Laliberté announced he was pursuing plans to launch a global series of entertainment complexes dubbed "Complexes Cirque", which would catapult Cique into the hotel- management business, featuring establishments with Cirque's avant- garde approach. The details of said complexes were kept secret at the time however, the vision as shared included hotels anchored by various Cirque du Soleil productions (old and new alike) and would contain nightclubs and other entertainment venues, all branded by Cirque du Soleil. (We'll get into "Complexes Cirque" next time.) Guy brought in TV executive Daniel Lamarre as President of the New Ventures business unit, with a singular mission: to expand the Cirque's creative platform to non-live show areas. But while the "Complexes Cirque" idea was never fully realized (after a number of attempts to get them off the ground in the early aughts), the company scaled back some of its ambitions and in 2004 opened its first hospitality concept with Celebrity Cruises dubbed "A Taste of Cirque du Soleil at The Bar at the Edge of the Earth". This led to the 2007 opening of the REVOLUTION LOUNGE attached to Cirque du Soleil's LOVE at The Mirage, and 2009's GOLD Lounge for VIVA ELVIS at ARIA. But it wasn't until 2013's opening of LIGHT NIGHTCLUB at Mandalay Bay that Cirque du Soleil found a new sandbox to play in. In fact, the company went on to name its Hospitality Group SANDBOX and was bent on expanding its hospitality concepts with a THEME PARK in Mexico and with HEART in Ibiza. But those expansion plans were turned upside down when the Cirque was sold to TPG, Fosun, and the Cassie in April 2015. Cirque du Soleil was out of the hospitality business within months of the sale - the new owners were simply not interested in owning lounges and night clubs. Revolution, Gold, and LIGHT would eventually shut down. The Theme Park would be lost in a quagmire of redesign (but that's a story for another time). But what of HEART Ibiza? HEART was transferred to Guy Laliberté's new company - LUNE ROUGE. It opened, albeit a month late, and went on to great success. Here's what was ultimately offered at opening: At Heart Ibiza, inside the Ibiza Gran Hotel, there will be lights. There will be music. And there will be food. All at once. Divided into three distinct spaces — Terrace, Supper and Club — the sprawling restaurant entertainment complex accommodates up to 1,000 people and is described as a cultural, musical, artistic and gastronomic theme park for adults. At Supper Heart, for instance, the dining experience becomes operatic, with dishes presented to their own original soundtrack that speeds up and slows down the tempo of the meal. At Heart Terrace, the all-you-can-eat buffet concept is turned into an ambient street market set across 1,500 square meters, along with bazaars and food stalls that offer international cuisines. Guests are also entertained by roving live performance art. And Club Heart is pitched as the underbelly of the resort where every night, international DJs will spin electro tracks to the choreography of light shows, video projections, and live performances. Walls and spaces will be furnished by avant-garde art from international artists such as Takashi Murakami, digital artist Miguel Chevalier, Gim Hong Sok and Rafael Lozano. Sounds exciting, no? Who knows what Cirque du Soleil might have looked like today had it continued with HEART Ibiza, SANDBOX, and all its hospitality concepts, like... SAMA-SAMA: CIRQUE IN THIS TOGETHER? ----------------------------------- On February 26, 2015, Roy Ofer, Founder of Sama-Sama, and Charles Joron, Chief Production Officer & Executive Producer of Cirque du Soleil Group, announced a business partnership for the production of the first Sama-Sama Live Experience. The innovative concept would be a unique multisensory entertainment experience combining elements from live shows, theme parks, and interactive events. Sama-Sama Live Experience would transform audience members into performers through the universal language of music, movement and rhythm. "The experience will appeal to multi-generational audiences and make the most of state-of-the-art multimedia and technology," the release said. Cirque du Soleil was to provide guidance in the development of this live experience as well as act as a business partner in the venture. "We see great potential in Sama-Sama's new immersive concept and have decided to come on board. This innovative approach is unique and we believe it will touch audiences in a brand new way" said Charles Joron. First you think it is a show, then you find you are in an Interactive park and suddenly realize you have undertaken a journey to a magical place you didn't know existed and which is inside you. SAMA-SAMA invited the audience to immerse themselves in a parallel universe where they followed the story of a mysterious community known as the Samis. The Samis, a group of multidisciplinary artists, have built a unique space for creativity and inspiration (an abandoned power plant that reacts to human energy), bringing people together through the joy of creation in a way never experienced before. They called this place Sama-Sama, which means "together" in Filipino. Sama- Sama takes the audience on a 360-degree immersive journey to this parallel universe where a dozen large-scale interactive installations – all related to music, rhythm, movement, image and creativity – are where the audience is urged to unleash their creativity, become performers, play and have fun. Enjoy experiences like playing a laser harp, conducting a virtual orchestra, taking part in an immense video clip, learning beat box, performing a joint dance routine, or creating sounds of the world with no need for prior knowledge. Each original installation is created exclusively by the Sama-Sama team and features user-friendly interfaces and intuitive instructions designed to fully engage the audience. The Sama-Sama journey culminates in a grand finale where all audience members become part of the Sami community. The public become the performers and the performers are the public. If you're a little vague on the idea of the concept think of Sama-Sama being an adult version of the ImageWorks at the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT, and I think that might bring it into focus for you. The international launch of Sama-Sama Live Experience was to take place in Madrid, Spain, followed by a tour of other major cities in Europe, North America and South America. So what happened? The concept had its premiere in Madrid on November 19, 2015 to sold-out audiences but then closed on January 24, 2016, with no reason given (although it's possible it just wasn't a sustainable experience). There appears to have been an attempt to take the experience to San Francisco, but that does not appear to have worked out and it's fallen into obscurity, even among Cirque fans. And I would not fault anyone for never having heard of the SAMA-SAMA Experience. After the initial press release, it was never mentioned by Cirque du Soleil again. That could be because Cirque was only a business partner and creative mentor to the project; it was never meant to be, labeled as, or marketed as a Cirque du Soleil concept. Or projects like this were scuttled when Cirque's new owners decided to focus the company on its core assets rather than experiences like night clubs, theme parks, lounges, and restaurants. That being said, Gabriel Pinkstone (Senior Director, Special Projects), Katerine De Roche (Director, Corporate Finance and Development), and Martin Boudreau (President, Theme Parks and Immersive Experiences) were credited in helping bring SAMA-SAMA to life, so there's no escaping that Cirque du Soleil was part of the concept. ON THE THAMES ------------- Rumors of Cirque setting up in this fantastic city are almost as old as resident shows themselves, and some of the earliest regarding London stretch back to the late 1990s. It's no secret that following their explosive 1987 premiere in Los Angeles and subsequent conquering of North America, that Cirque du Soleil had set their sights on Australia, Japan, and Europe. But each was met with a few challenges. While it would take some time for the Cirque and Japanese interests to hammer out a deal (they would sign with Fuji in 1991 for a unique tour the following year), and a planned Australian tour of Le Cirque Réinventé for early 1988 fell apart late in the discussions (keeping the continent down-under Cirque-free until Saltimbanco's visit in 1999), Cirque did attempt its first European Tour in 1990. London was the start of a two-year tour that was supposed to take Le Cirque Réinventé to Paris, Barcelona, and other European cities. "We are a little bit nervous about Paris especially," said Danny Pelchat, the circus's general manager and international advance man, in an interview. "Actually, very nervous." Much was riding on the success of this tour; Cirque's successes in North America kept multiplying their operating costs. The more people they drew, the bigger they got, adding on acts and paying more for the venues where they pitched their tent. As costs increased, so did the circus' dependence on larger markets which could sustain such a large infrastructure. Those markets were found on the international scene, prompting Cirque officials to admit bluntly that they had to succeed in Europe if the Cirque was to survive. "We're shaking a bit in our boots -- but maybe that's good for us," Guy Laliberté said. Taking a distinctively North American success story to more blasé audiences in Europe was a tall order. The main reason the European trip was such a gamble was that the Cirque had to chalk up an 85-per-cent attendance rate in a 1,600-seat arena to break even. Under the 2,500-seat big-top used in North America, the break-even rate was just 65 per cent. So the Cirque had to fill a greater percentage of seats in Europe without the benefit of the recognition factor it had garnered in North America. Asked what would happen if the European stand was not a success, Pelchat replied: "That can't happen. Period." But if the unthinkable did happen, "there are always back doors" to save the day. One option would be to move the show to Italy or Germany, where success was more guaranteed. Why not go there first? Because playing it safe was boring, they said. Not the Cirque du Soleil way. Unfortunately the tour was a complete disaster, cut short by a heat wave, war, and indifference. Cirque du Soleil returned to North America with their tails between their legs. Although Cirque had hoped to be successful and tour Nouvelle Expèrience there, the company would not attempt Europe again until Saltimbanco made inroads in 1995. By that time, Cirque du Soleil would have its first resident show in Las Vegas, with attempts to place them in Vancouver (1994), Toronto (1994), and Berlin (1996), and with new announcements for a second residence in Las Vegas (1996) and Walt Disney World (1996). It made perfect sense that Cirque du Soleil would want a permanent presence in London too. But unlike the other potential residences mentioned so far, London is a far more complicated story because it rears its head often, and becomes mixed into a number of different proposals over the years. The first time we'd hear about Cirque adding London to its growing list of homes away from home was on February 3, 1997. The Montreal Gazette published a blurb that mentioned a Hong Kong-based developer said Cirque du Soleil had agreed to locate a troupe at a giant leisure and entertainment complex it was building in South London. "The contract hasn't been signed, but the two parties have agreed in principle," says Andrew Dowler, a spokesman for the developer, Parkview International. Dowler said the deal is subject to Parkview getting planning permission to build extra facilities on its site, home of the abandoned Battersea Power Station. But if the deal has been all but clinched, the Cirque du Soleil isn't saying. A company spokeswoman would neither confirm nor deny the deal. "Nobody here is going to tell you anything about this," said the woman, who would not identify herself. The article went on to state that Parkview expected to receive preliminary planning approval by March 1998 and could then begin construction by the end of the year. The projected completion date was around the turn of the millennium. The company saw Cirque du Soleil as an integral part of its plan to develop the 12-hectare site, located at Battersea, on the Thames about three kilometers from the Houses of Parliament. Parkview's plans included a 32-screen cineplex, rides, restaurants, hotels, offices, and a train station to link the complex to London's transportation network. The project was expected to cost about $1 billion USD. But little was said about the project for more than three years until a May 2000 interview with Scéno Plus, the performance space design firm from Montreal that mentioned they were working on the "huge, if slow-moving" project at Battersea. It wasn't until December 11, 2000, when Laliberté unveiled a strategy to develop and open "Entertainment Complexes" in major entertainment capitals of the world, was the London project made official. "Over the years, we have collaborated with creative people from around the world to conceive, devise and realize our shows. With the Cirque du Soleil Complexes, we intend to expand our platform by bringing together an ensemble of innovative ideas and talent under one roof and applying them to a physical location. We envision our Complexes as international meeting places where patrons will be inspired and entertained in the spirit of celebration and festivity. We want to surround our public with artful living," announced Laliberté. The complexes would be a unique fusion of drama and design, of architecture and the arts. They would be a place where technology, tourism, arts and leisure converge, and would provide a year-round base for Cirque du Soleil in the form of a permanent theater in the host city. Laliberté added, "We want to situate our patrons in the moment by creating an environment, a microcosm, where no detail is expendable in the profound belief that every detail is part of the big here and now. We believe this to be a natural extension of our mission statement: invoke the imagination, provoke the senses, and evoke the emotions of people around the world." Planning was underway to develop four to six of these complexes within the next ten years, the release said, with the first being planned for The Battersea Power Station site in London at a price tag of £500m. Built in 1930, Battersea Power Station is believed to be the largest brick building in Europe. Its size, its four tall chimneys, and its prime location on the south bank of the River Thames have combined to make it one of London's most recognizable landmarks. In the 1970s, it featured on the album cover for Pink Floyd's "Animals". Despite its renown, however, the station has stood empty since 1975. And there have been plenty of revitalization projects for the site over the years, none of them working out. Guy Laliberté, called the Power Station project a "massive and truly exciting challenge." He continued, "To me this building continues to radiate the energy that it used to convert. It is a hugely powerful symbol. We want to reflect that energy and power in helping to create an environment and destination that will excite the imagination and stimulate the senses. The success of Cirque du Soleil is founded on radical thinking-not just the acts that appear in our shows but the whole entertainment experience. For the first time ever we have the opportunity to apply that radical thinking to a project of this size and scope." But why London? "London is the entertainment capital of the world, so that is why we want a home here for Cirque du Soleil. We want [to build] an entertainment complex using traditional businesses--restaurants, hotels, spas--and challenging them with new creative content. Like we did with the Cirque--taking the traditional and twisting it." As previously stated, Cirque du Soleil formed a strategic alliance with Parkview International, owners and developers of the site, and would advise on artistic content for what became one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe. The Parkview Group Holdings, controlled by the Hwang Family, originally established a construction and development business in Taiwan in 1949. Since then, the Family has specialized in major integrated developments, principally in the Far East and, most notably, their flagship Residential Development in Hong Kong. Cirque du Soleil aimed to contribute their own special brand of lateral thinking, working alongside the site's planners, designers and architects. Talking about the alliance, Parkview's President, Mr. Victor Hwang, said, "Cirque du Soleil's imagination, style and creative energy will help provide the stimulus to build what will be a truly innovative environment. We are delighted that they are going to join a select team that is driving the renaissance of this London icon and the city's South Riverside." Work on the site was to begin within six months of the announcement with an opening date in 2004. The plans called the dilapidated building to be converted into a 2,000 seat auditorium, a ballroom, a cinema, and two hotels. One of the hotels would be conventional. The other, Mr. Laliberté said, would be a "Generation X" hotel that offered entertainment as part of the experience. "The butler in the morning serving you coffee might have a face that makes you crack up laughing or you might be in the elevator and someone will climb out of a little door in the lift and have a chat with you." A spa at the complex will be inspired by the baths of ancient Rome and include festivities, music and food, although it will stop short of offering orgies, Mr. Laliberté said. One of the plant's four chimneys would be turned into an observation tower with the others being used for technical equipment. The redevelopment has been an on-again off-again affair for years. In 1987, the future looked bright. John Broome, then chairman of Alton Towers (a theme park in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton), promised to bring 7,000 visitors an hour to an Edwardian- themed amusement park there, but his vision was doomed. Broome set off with gusto, ripping the roof off and tearing out the interior, but costs for the project steadily rose as huge amounts of asbestos and sulfur damage to the brickwork were found. The costs soared past £240m (out of an initial estimate of £34m), forcing Broome to sell Alton Towers to keep his dream alive. When costs reached £300m, the contractor Sir Alfred McAlpine pulled out. The scheme finally ran out of funding in 1989 owing £75.8m and, in 1993, the receivers sold the debts to Parkview for about £10m. But still the project languished, this time because of wrangles over planning consent. Victor Hwang, president of Parkview, said: "I've seen three prime ministers come and go and not a single brick has been laid on this project." Victor Hwang first saw Battersea power station as a schoolboy. Huang said he recognized the potential of the Battersea site from the moment he saw it. His plans for it easily rival Broome's for ambition. He says: "It was a very quick decision; we were aware of the site but we closed the transaction taking over the bank debt within 48 hours of coming to see it. We convinced ourselves that it would become a remarkable development because the position is so good. It is right across the river from Kensington and Chelsea." He was also attracted by the iconic status of the power station, which is instantly recognizable to anyone who has visited London. Hwang remembers it from trips to London made when he was a 13-year-old Taiwanese schoolboy sent to boarding school a long way from home in north Wales. The plans for Battersea were masterminded by Michael Lowe of Arup Associates, the architects and engineers, and Sir Philip Dowson. The project encompasses the development of 37 acres of prime riverside land on which the giant relic stands, as well as the refurbishment scheme by two firms of architects, Benoy and Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, for the power station itself. And it seemed that this proposal a better chance of success, than many others But... it never happened. By September 8, 2001, in an article highlighting the achievements of Scéno Plus, there was a small section mentioning some of the projects the company was in on that fell by the wayside. Within it mentioned the company being called upon by Cirque and Parkview International to devise a redevelopment plan for the Battersea project, only to have the partnership fall apart. What that article does not make clear is whether the partnership between Sceno and Cirque/Parkview fell apart or the partnership between Cirque and Parkview. Considering it was a piece on Scéno Plus the more likely outcome was that the partnership between Cirque and Scéno soured here. In the end it wouldn't matter too much. On December 3, 2002, Cirque du Soleil announced that, faced with an economic downturn in the hospitality industry, it would abandon plans to open a series of hotel complexes around the world, including in London. The Battersea project appeared off the books. Not much more was heard about residing in Europe until Cirque President and CEO Daniel Lamarre in July 2004 alluded to no less than three new permanent ventures within the next few years; Tokyo, London and New York City. "I wouldn't want to put a calendar to the construction," Lamarre said in an interview with The Star, "but I think it's safe to say we will begin work on the Tokyo project very soon." The Tokyo project became ZED in 2008, of course, which unfortunately folded at the end of 2011. The New York City announcement ultimately became WINTUK in 2007, which also ended its run at the beginning of 2011. London had remained elusive though rumors abounded. Like this one from The Stage: On April 18, 2006, Cirque du Soleil was said to be in negotiations about a possible residency at the O2, the multi-million pound sports and entertainment complex being built on the site of the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich. Under the deal, the Canadian circus troupe would have a regular show at a 1,800-seat theater that would form part of the new venue. Illustrations showing how the finished O2 would look were announced and a completion date of July 2007 was given for the project. But while the O2 arena would eventually come together, Cirque's involvement did not. On November 15, 2010, an interesting blog post came up at Sky News HD, a component of BskyB in London, which suggested Cirque du Soleil was now actively looking for a permanent home in London through an advisory firm. Guy Laliberte had appointed Allen & Co, a specialist media and entertainment advisory firm, to identify prospective partners who could help establish a permanent residence for the acrobatic dance troupe-cum-circus in London. Mr Laliberté said: "We are working hard trying to find a place in London. We have been looking all over for 10 years. Eventually, we will be at the right place at the right moment with the right real-estate developer. We have looked at the O2. It has been part of the discussion." David Campbell, the chief executive of AEG Europe, which owns the O2, confirmed the talks: "We have looked at it and it's just a question of getting the right business model. It's not imminent but it's not been dismissed." And as of 2020 there's still been no word, and no permanent residence in London. Just hopes. To be Continued... ======================================================================= COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER ======================================================================= Fascination! Newsletter Volume 20, Number 11 (Issue #202) – November 2020 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (C) 2001-2020 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or translated without the consent of the "Fascination! Newsletter." By sending us correspondence, you give us permission (unless otherwise noted) to use the submission as we see fit, without remuneration. All submissions become the property of the "Fascination! Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way with Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil and all its creations are Copyright (C) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil, Inc., All Rights Reserved. No copyright infringement intended. { Nov.11.2020 } =======================================================================