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Has Cirque run its course?

Discussion in 'Shows & Entertainment' started by sammasseur, Nov 30, 2012.

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  1. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Surprising announcement tonight that Cirque du Soleil is pulling the plug on their 100-million-dollar IRIS show in Hollywood after 15 months, for what was supposed to be a ten-year run. Even with heavy discounts, sales did not meet expectations. They've already had recent flops with Banana Schpeel and Viva Elvis, and had to close Zed in Tokyo and Zaia in Macao due to low ticket sales. With an 8th show from Cirque expected to open in Las Vegas soon, this could suggest a troubled future in the city. They've already expanded into movies and nightclubs as well. Cirque fatigue was inevitable:

    http://movies.yahoo.com/news/cirque-du-soleils-iris-closing-early-due-low-023157442.html
     
  2. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    Long suffering.
     
  3. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Yep, no how good a product or service is, over saturation is a common mistake in the business world. Supply and demand forces are in play and if there is too much product out there interest will eventually wane as the perception is that the product is being diluted and holds less value. I'm surprised that Circque hasn't consolidated sooner and garnered more of the mystique that put them on top for so long. Hopefully someone will wise up and bring the interest in Cirque back to what it once was. They have great shows, I just think it is a case of the bean counters getting a little greedy and not adhering to the basic business principal, and age old adage, that less is in many instances more. I'm not down on Cirque, just the typical mismanagement that all too often happens in the marketplace with leading products and services. The good news is is that they are starting to consolidate a little and they still have great shows that the public will pay top dollar to see. Vegas is the perfect formula for this. For example "Lido de Paris" had about a 40 year lifespan, and there is no way it would have lasted that long had they opened up watered down versions of it at other strip properties. Same thing with "Follies Bergere". Great show, lasted a hell of a long time. No reason Cirque can't be hugely successful with a bit of a smaller lineup. Hope they make it because it is top notch, unique entertainment that isn't readily available, like it is in their custom made venues in LV, throughout the US.:peace:
     
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  4. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    The Cirque business model assumes a heavy investment will equal heavy returns. As I've noted before, ventures like Cosmopolitan have the same business model. Cirque burdens itself with incredible start-up costs.

    The problem with a business model of this type is the venue must operate at or near capacity to justify the investment. It can't just do "O.K" and make money. It has to be a hit. There is no wiggle room. Some of these shows are packed during peak season but that is not enough. They must have high attendance year-round to survive financially.

    I'm not saying the business model is flawed. What I am saying is it has certain risks based upon the assumptions made - like any business model.

    Bill
     
  5. Aero22

    Aero22 Low-Roller

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    I could only hope that Cirque would close up completely and leave Vegas. Number one complaint is that all of the Cirque shows have crowded out the good entertainment. Could you imagine if all of the venues and dollars wasted on CDS were filled with more Shania, Garth, CarrotTop, Absinthe, Human Nature, Elton, Cher, Fator, etc etc etc. . . . .. . Would draw more people to Vegas, would increase repeat trips. I can dream, can't I????
     
  6. vegasqc

    vegasqc VIP Whale

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    I sure hope so dont like their product at all

    I dont mind paying 100$,200$ for well known performers but not for a bunch of no names
     
  7. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Aria's theater would have been the perfect location for that instead of Zarkana. Can you imagine a month of Tina Turner, a round of Barbara Streisand, a few nights of Kylie Minogue, and a splash of Adele? Vegas seems to really be missing the boat on the old Headliners routine. Caesars sees to be the only venue doing that on the strip with regularity.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2012
  8. vegas3

    vegas3 Low-Roller

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    Their show KOOZA that is here in Florida right now has very low ticket sales. They now have resorted to Groupon and livingsocial to help sell tickets.

    I have personally seen about 5 different shows and don't care to see another one again. The big problem is that they aren't that different from each other. You see the same acts and performances and after a while I am not entertained by it... been there done that.
     
  9. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Kooza was unbearable. I saw it in Portland Oregon last year.
     
  10. queuetee

    queuetee VIP Whale

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    I remember leaving the one at the Bellagio years ago and telling DH..."That is it for me on Cirque....I never want to see another one." I had my full many, many years ago so I am not surprised to see that the popularity is finally winding down.
     
  11. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    Wouldn't that be a NICE Christmas present to hear they all went away.....
     
  12. Aero22

    Aero22 Low-Roller

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    I was expecting to get blasted.......so many on this board seem to like that pretentious CDS stuff. . . .. . .colour me surprised that every post after mine seems to agree. . .. perhaps someone should get this word out to Murren & MGM.
     
  13. Barney Rubble

    Barney Rubble Tourist

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    I'm surprised with the way this has gone also. I've previously commented on this board that these shows has gotten boring and Vegas entertainment was getting stale due to all these shows. I enjoyed the first two I went to but after that there is no fun to be found. I'm hoping the rumors of Billy Joel at the Encore are true since that would be the first new show vegas has had in the last ten years that will excite me.
     
  14. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    Wow this used to happen? would probably reorganize whole trips for a goood head liner.
     
  15. HoyaHeel

    HoyaHeel Grammar Police & Admin

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    I've been saying for years that I dislike CDS shows (and after being forced to see a couple in Vegas, have also stated flatly "NO MORE") There have been a few who have agreed but we've definitely been in the minority:peace:

    But the people who read & post on this board are also a biased, not representative, sample of Vegas visitors, so it's impossible to extrapolate our experiences to Vegas decision-making by the money men.....
     
  16. Saaz

    Saaz Low-Roller

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    I am a big Cirque fan and have thought long ago that they overstayed their welcome. They have been watering down everything that I liked about them for many a years. I have seen several traveling shows in Minneapolis and each one is worse than the other. I hope they are forced to downsize and maybe the quality will come back. The Vegas entertainment scene needs to be more like what Caesars is doing, bringing in the headliners and keeping it fresh.
     
  17. GREGRIO

    GREGRIO VIP Whale

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    I still enjoy CIRQUE...just not as much as I used to.
    I have my favorites that I'll still see again off 'n on...but I wasn't
    as impressed with Zarkana as I was the first time I saw Mystere.
    For me these days, it's the addition of visuals and special effects
    more than the artists themselves that make the Show work...and
    that's too bad. As said here before, there's little variety in the acts
    any more. It is getting a bit boring despite the wonderful LED effects
    of Zarkana and KA's amazing stage...
    The new Michael Jackson Shows' only prayer will be in it's music however...
    if it's not done right (and i give it a 50/50 chance at best lol), it'll turn into
    just another Viva Elvis and be gone...HOPEFULLY to be replaced by limited
    run, top end headliners.
     
  18. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    I love MGM properties, but all the cirque shows are a complete bore. Personally, I wish there was more stand-up comedy and live sporting events.
     
  19. hondo230

    hondo230 Tourist

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    Wish there were fewer CDS.

    I used to enjoy going to Vegas to see shows. There used to be a variety of headliners at different times if the year. The show situation has become bleak for me. We used to see 2 to 4 shows per trip. Now, we are lucky to see 1.
     
  20. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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    I say yes!! I've sworn off it after that horrible Michael Jackson show. Come to think of it, I haven't seen one that I would see again. Also shows in general in Vegas, I don't go anymore. Rarely, maybe 1 a year. Maybe it's because if I paid $42 for my room, I'm not paying $140 to see some ridiculous show, I likely won't enjoy.

    Offtopic: Also yea, NOBODY goes to see Iris here, maybe when it first started... But overall there is no appeal for a Cirque in LA. Also something is fishy with the Dolby Theatre and Hollywood & Highland. Everything has shifted to LA Live. They have no events there anymore... it's sort of lost it's appeal.
     
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