Cirque du Soleil

 Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil, Quebec; "Circus of the Sun" or "Sun Circus" is a Canadian entertainment business and the world's largest producer of contemporary circus. It was formed on 16 June 1984 in Baie-Saint-Paul by former street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix and is located in the inner-city district of Saint-Michel.

Between 1979 and 1983, they toured Quebec in various configurations as a theatrical ensemble named Les Échassiers. Their early financial difficulties were alleviated in 1983 by a Canada Council for the Arts funding to play as part of the 450th anniversary commemoration of Jacques Cartier's journey to Canada. After their first formal show, Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil, was a success in 1984, Laliberté engaged Guy Caron from the National Circus School to reproduce it as a "real circus." Cirque du Soleil's dramatic, character-driven approach, as well as the lack of performing animals, helped identify it as the contemporary circus ("nouveau cirque") that it is today. Following financial triumphs and disappointments in the late 1980s, Franco Dragone launched Nouvelle Expérience, which not only made Cirque du Soleil viable by 1990, but also allowed it to create new performances.

Cirque du Soleil grew fast in the 1990s and 2000s, from one performance to 19 shows in over 300 locations across six continents. The business

In 2017, the firm employed 4,900 individuals from 50 countries and earned roughly US$1 billion in sales. The several permanent Las Vegas performances alone attract nearly 9,000 people every night, accounting for 5% of the city's tourists, contributing to the more than 100 million people who have experienced Cirque du Soleil creations worldwide.

Laliberté took out Daniel Gauthier in 2000 and continues to build the company with 95% control. In order to further finance the company's aims, Laliberté divided 20% of his stake evenly to the investment companies Istithmar World and Nakheel of Dubai in 2008. Cirque du Soleil had intended to develop a residency performance in the United Arab Emirates in 2012 in collaboration with these two organisations, led by Guy Caron. and Guy Caron and Michael Curry of Cirque du Soleil were intended to construct a residency performance in the United Arab Emirates in 2012. However, following Dubai's financial difficulties in 2010 as a result of the 2008 recession, Laliberté stated that the project had been "paused," that he might be looking for another financial partner to fund the company's future plans, and that he might even consider giving up another 10% of his stake in the company. TPG Capital, Fosun Industrial Holdings, and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec bought 90% of Cirque du Soleil in 2015, but Laliberté kept a 10% interest. Laliberté sold his 10% stake in the firm to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec for $75 million in February 2020.

Three Drama Desk Awards, seven Primetime Emmy Awards, multiple Gemini Awards, a Daytime Emmy Award, a Juno Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have been bestowed to the company's productions. Cirque du Soleil received the National Arts Centre Prize in 2000, a companion award to the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, and was inducted onto Canada's Walk of Fame in 2002. 

1. The Cirque du Soleil is a French circus company founded in 1984 by Guy Laliberté. It was created to showcase his vision of combining acrobatics, music, and dance. In addition to performing shows around the world, they have produced several films, including Kooza (2001), Viva la vida (2002), and O (2005). Their first show, Le Baiser de l'Amour, premiered in Las Vegas in 1987.

 2. The name Cirque du Soleil comes from the French phrase meaning "Circus of the Sun." The company's logo features a sun rising over a crescent moon.

 3. Cirque du Soleil began as a small troupe of performers who performed at various festivals throughout Quebec. They were later joined by Guy Lalibertè, who had been working with the group since its inception. He became the artistic director and CEO of the company in 1990.

 4. The company's first big break came in 1992 when they won the Prix Benois de la Danse, France's equivalent of the Tony Award. Since then, their productions have become increasingly popular worldwide.

 5. The company currently employs about 1,500 people and produces eight shows per year.

 6. The company's headquarters are located in Montreal, Canada.

 7. Cirque du Solei is known for its high-tech production techniques and innovative use of technology.

 8. Cirque du Solel is known for its unique style of performance art. Its shows feature elaborate costumes, acrobatic stunts, and aerial performances.

 9. Cirque du Soleils shows are known for their intricate choreography, colorful sets, and elaborate stage designs.

 10. Cirque du Soleiel is known for its creative use of technology. The company uses special effects, lasers, and video projections to enhance its shows.

 11. Cirque du Soleili is known for its innovative use of technology. The shows incorporate state-of-the-art lighting, sound systems, and special effects.

 12. Cirque du Soleill is known for its unique approach to entertainment. The shows combine traditional elements of theater and circus with modern technological innovations.

 13. Cirque du Soleilli is known for its unique combination of circus arts and contemporary dance.

 14. Cirque du Solelli is known for its unique fusion of circus arts and contemporary dancing.

Each Cirque du Soleil production is a fusion of circus techniques from throughout the world, with its own fundamental theme and plot. Continuous live music is used in shows, and actors, rather than stagehands, change the props.

Each touring show lasts between 2 and 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an interval. Permanent presentations are typically between 70 and 90 minutes long without an intermission. Touring and resident shows often play 10 shows per week. Touring shows often have one "black day" (no performances), whereas resident shows have two.