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Thursday, February 07, 2019
Cirque Du Soleil Acquires Company Behind ‘The Illusionists’ Magic Show
Variety: Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group has announced its acquisition of the Works Entertainment, the creative and production company behind shows like the live magic franchise “The Illusionists.”
2 comments:
DJ L.
said...
Cirque du Soleil has acquired, yet again, another production company. This is not the first time we have seen Cirque do this, and as we know, the last time they did this, it was a pretty big success. In July of 2017, Cirque bought the Blue Man Group for tens of millions of dollars and appears as though they have made that money back and some. At the time, the Blue Man Group was doing so well. With a major decline in attendance and revenue, it was looking like they were going to be around for much longer. But after Cirque swooped in, their revenue more than quadrupled saving the show. I think that if Cirque can support the Works in the same way, all of the Works' shows will be able to thrive. On top of this, Cirque can help the Works spread their shows, even more, allowing for more creative expansion.
I never like acquisitions of independent creative studios, because it homogenizes imagination and creativity and nobody wants magicians in skin tight unitards pulling themselves out of a top hat. However, I very much respect the parent company for not being intrusive and letting them still be them, just under a new parent. The Illusionists is a wonderful concept for a show, which I believe Penn and Teller had a hand in as producer. They came up with the idea of multiple performers in one show, because each of the unique styles of magic in one show like close up, card manipulation, parlour tricks, and grand illusions would keep the audience entertained because after a few tricks from one performer the audience is no longer on their toes. Not having seen Cirque Du Soleil in person I do not know if they use any magic at all, but I actually would like to see them combined for one good show, maybe if Cirque ever did a tribute to the classic Circus. I want to see these shows now.
2 comments:
Cirque du Soleil has acquired, yet again, another production company. This is not the first time we have seen Cirque do this, and as we know, the last time they did this, it was a pretty big success. In July of 2017, Cirque bought the Blue Man Group for tens of millions of dollars and appears as though they have made that money back and some. At the time, the Blue Man Group was doing so well. With a major decline in attendance and revenue, it was looking like they were going to be around for much longer. But after Cirque swooped in, their revenue more than quadrupled saving the show. I think that if Cirque can support the Works in the same way, all of the Works' shows will be able to thrive. On top of this, Cirque can help the Works spread their shows, even more, allowing for more creative expansion.
I never like acquisitions of independent creative studios, because it homogenizes imagination and creativity and nobody wants magicians in skin tight unitards pulling themselves out of a top hat. However, I very much respect the parent company for not being intrusive and letting them still be them, just under a new parent. The Illusionists is a wonderful concept for a show, which I believe Penn and Teller had a hand in as producer. They came up with the idea of multiple performers in one show, because each of the unique styles of magic in one show like close up, card manipulation, parlour tricks, and grand illusions would keep the audience entertained because after a few tricks from one performer the audience is no longer on their toes. Not having seen Cirque Du Soleil in person I do not know if they use any magic at all, but I actually would like to see them combined for one good show, maybe if Cirque ever did a tribute to the classic Circus. I want to see these shows now.
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