Portfolio.com: "It’s about 10 degrees Fahrenheit and windy in Montreal, and that’s not the only frigid breeze sweeping through this capital of Cirque du Soleil.
For the first time, Cirque has a bona fide dud of a show in Las Vegas, attendance is underwhelming for its production in Macau, and critics are already sharpening their knives over two new shows due to open this month, one in New York and another in Vegas. A development deal with Dubai World isn’t playing out as expected largely because Dubai World’s development activities have been, uh, complicated by its financial implosion.
Yet somehow—per the company’s name—it’s always sunny inside the office at Cirque’s international headquarters of cheerful Cirque CEO Daniel Lamarre."
7 comments:
I think that Cirque should be awarded some credit for all of the chances they've taken in the past few years. Opening up new shows much different from the original spectacles, and merging with a company that had unforseeable financial woes are both steps in an uncomfortable direction. What it does show is that despite all of the money that the company makes, despite the ever expanding venues that they have branched out to perform in, Cirque du Soleil still slings to its artistic core and tries to create new spectacles. Its quite obviously not all about the money when their newest shows are so radically different from what set the company on its foundation--and for that, I hope they grow ever more.
Cirque always brings up mixed emotions for me because on one hand I admire their business savvy and recognize that their financial acumen makes more incredible productions possible, and on the other hand I worry commercialization may strip away some of the passion behind the technical magic. I don't doubt that the performers continue to put their all into each show, but shows like Chris Angel's Believe cast these talented performers as accessories highlighting a pop icon. it would be a shame if the unique talents of the cirque members were overshadowed by an attempt to make money. The core of this company was it's collection of unique talents, and I while I hope they take creative new paths I also hope they will not forget their roots.
I understand now that Cirque has a problem. They have been growing so fast that it seems the quality of the work and the type of work that we expect from them have been lacking. While this is an understandable problem, this article does not hint that Cirque is taking this at all seriously. We know Cirque for its acrobatic spectacles. Once they are branching out, they loose the strength of their brand. They need to remember their roots- there are creative ways to keep expanding upon them. It will be interesting to watch what the new installation pieces in New York and LA do to the Cirque image.
I really do think Cirque has the world to conquer. Just becuase they have become synonymous with Vegas doesn't mean they cant continue to expand and try new things. As he notes in the article there is a pressure to make each cirque show unique and different from the others. For a company and troupe that pushes the limits everytime it can sometimes be daunting and difficult to top yourself yet again. I think rather then focusing on music legends though they should try focusing on what they do best- circus like activities and exploit that further. Ka is spectacular because it is unexpected. Create something truely unexpected. Maybe it is something that offends and is super sexual. Return to your roots and exploit your talents- not try venture into other forms.
I have only seen the show "Alegria", by which I was totally amazed. Cirque is there almost because of the talented performers. The number of shows being produced now is just surprising, because those trained performers are there enough to support their shows every night.
For any business, to keep growing is their mission, because there is no other ways than having the money from profit sleep in the bank. The money earned should be invested for more money. But because of its nature, I can guess it' been hard to create new shows with different concepts. That's why the shows, which features the music from famous singers, are now produced just like Broadway musicals.
I should draw the conclusion after I see all Cirque's shows, but I hope Cirque keeps their growth with their originality, just not leaning toward the trendy featuring entertainment.
While I think that it is great that Cirque is trying new content and formats for their shows, they still need to fill the niche for which they became famous. The new works (the show about Elvis and Believe) are definitely important as the company tries to expand and experiments with what works and what doesn't. I am just hoping they don't trade their older style for this new one. I also think that, as ambitious as they are in transforming the art of performance and the art of circus, Cirque is biting off more than they can chew with all of these new show ins LA, the resident shows in Radio City Music Hall and the Kodak theater, as well as their agreement with Dubai worlds. I hope they don't spread themselves too thin. The company has to remember that quantity does not necessarily equal quality.
While I think that it is great that Cirque is trying new content and formats for their shows, they still need to fill the niche for which they became famous. The new works (the show about Elvis and Believe) are definitely important as the company tries to expand and experiments with what works and what doesn't. I am just hoping they don't trade their older style for this new one. I also think that, as ambitious as they are in transforming the art of performance and the art of circus, Cirque is biting off more than they can chew with all of these new show ins LA, the resident shows in Radio City Music Hall and the Kodak theater, as well as their agreement with Dubai worlds. I hope they don't spread themselves too thin. The company has to remember that quantity does not necessarily equal quality.
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