△ Cirque du Soleil's wonderful acrobatic performance
Memory of the World That Is Disappearing (II)
Clowns, magic, stunts, flying, diving...
Some people use the term "territory of dreams" to describe Cirque du Soleil, and the blue and yellow tent has created a dreamlike beauty for countless people.
But now, it is greeted by a chaotic reality.
On June 29, local time, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group said it had formally filed an application for bankruptcy protection in court.
Previously, Cirque du Soleil announced 2,600 layoffs on March 17.
On March 19, the layoffs were announced again, with a total of 4,679 layoffs twice, accounting for about 95% of the total number of employees.
Thirty years of myths have come to an end, and in the future, we may never see it again.
The memory of the world that is disappearing in this issue allows us to reminisce and embark on a moving journey that conveys joy and shock.
In 1984, Cirque du Soleil was founded.
By the time it entered the market, the circus industry was an "sunset industry" that was no longer attractive.
The popularity of movies, television, the Internet, and games is eating away at the industry's living space.
Cirque du Soleil chose to redefine circus with innovation.
△ Cirque du Soleil's predecessor was a stilt team
Its original repertoire has no animals, nor does it employ stars, but instead tells the full story with circus performances.
The performance costumes of the personnel are gorgeous, using lighting, sound effects, choreography and other techniques, combining magic, acrobatics, clowns, etc. with stage plays to create an almost fantastic stage effect.
△ The Mystère Show, performed by 72 actors from 18 countries and performed at the Treasure Island Hotel since 1993, is Cirque du Soleil's first Las Vegas-based show
This not only attracted circus lovers, but also won over audiences who frequented the theater.
At the same time, it targets the adult and corporate markets, hosting touring and residency shows around the world.
At its peak, Cirque du Soleil annual sales were the sum of all Broadway show sales.
△ O Show, a large-scale water show. Since its premiere at the Paragon Hotel las Vegas in 1998, it has been widely acclaimed.
In 2012 alone, its total revenue, including box office and derivatives, exceeded $1 billion.
But the pandemic has exposed Cirque du Soleil's operational weaknesses.
The first is the excessive labor and production costs.
In order to keep the creativity fresh, Cirque du Soleil employs many temporary franchisees, perhaps artists of a certain genre, or inventors of the latest technology, to give theatrical creation a new imagination space
According to the official website, cirque du Soleil employs more than 1,300 artists from about 55 countries in the performance business alone, with 50 to 100 artists participating in each performance.
These were originally the core of Cirque du Soleil's performance creations, but under the epidemic, the high labor costs made the company unable to afford it when its business was shut down.
In addition, the set and stage equipment are an important part of the theme and atmosphere of Cirque du Soleil performances.
△ "KA" show, a combination of technology and high-tech performance, from creativity to performance, only took four years to develop, costing 165 million US dollars.
The production cost of tens of millions of dollars or hundreds of millions of dollars makes it difficult to recover costs.
More importantly, the dependence on ticket revenue is very high and the structure is single, which makes it collapse rapidly under the crisis.
Foreign media have calculated that at least 80% of Cirque du Soleil's revenue comes from the box office.
△ Cirque du Soleil resident performance poster
The book "Blue Ocean Strategy" published by Harvard Business School begins by citing the cirque du Soleil case as a miracle in business history to open up the blue ocean.
It's a world of whimsy, no bondage, no grief, and no inequality.
Here everyone gets along harmoniously and at ease.
Just like the lyrics of the opening song of "King of the Circus": Even if the outside world is dark, give up the struggle and tell me if you want to go with me to the colorful world.
△ Michael Jackson ONE show, a work that pays tribute to the talented singer Mike Jackson.
The theme of one of Cirque du Soleil's galas aptly interprets its theatrical spirit.
No one cares if Cirque du Soleil has a shining star, because it is, in itself, like a shining diamond.
△ Believe Show, is a large-scale magic show, with classic escape stunts and original unique magic tricks
Cirque du Soleil has a huge performance team, different nationalities, and an incomparably large number of installations.
Hoods, props, jewelry, shoes and everything else are all hand-made for the actors.
According to the New York Times, the circus produces 18,000 garments a year in its garment studio in Montreal.
△ All handmade performance props
Extremely high cost, but invisibly form a virtuous circle, become the brand irreplaceable magic.
It is precisely because of the almost harsh pursuit of the extreme, Cirque du Soleil has created an excellent reputation with an insurmountable performance effect.
Everywhere you go, it will inevitably cause a sensation and a tide of viewers.
For hundreds of millions of viewers, it has brought a dreamlike fantasy world.
△ Laribet
Cirque du Soleil founder Larry Bette, once looked at the endless sea from the cliffs, with his back to the sunset, full of ambition:
I used to have nothing, sell street art, and try my best to make ends meet. But now, I stand here proudly and pursue my dreams.
The 36-year development process is as wonderful as a legendary movie, with ups and downs.
After declaring bankruptcy, Cirque du Soleil released a 60-minute special program on its official website.
Soon after, the spotlight will surely come on again, illuminating the stage.
As we celebrate our return together, cheers echo through the theater.
The cheers came not only from the audience, but also from the stage.
Just as the sun rises every day, Cirque du Soleil is sure to return, and it's shinier than ever.
In times of people's frustration, Cirque du Soleil has taken us temporarily out of the sadness of the real world to a world that is more splendid than imagined.
At this moment, let us in every corner of the world leave a bright light for Cirque du Soleil in our hearts.
May all the goodness and joy return again, and may the persistent dream never end.
Attached: Review of past periods
Memory of the World Disappearing (I)
The Last Northern White Rhinoceros: The cut horn grew in 3 years and was protected by 40 people throughout the day, why is it still extinct?
Resources:
Interface News "Suspension, Layoffs, Filing for Bankruptcy, Cirque du Soleil Joy No More"
People of the Day Goodbye, Cirque du Soleil
Cirque Du Soleil: The Last Show, Canada
Global Times "The epidemic hit Canada's national treasure hard, Cirque du Soleil announced 95% layoffs"
Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away, USA
Text / Liu Shanshan, Trial / Ren Hui