Cirque article

[Schplinky]

Celebrity, Cirque repackage partnership in bigger venue (11/01/2005)

By Rebecca Tobin

 

MIAMI -- Celebrity Cruises is rolling out a soft launch -- a relaunch,

actually -- of its Cirque du Soleil collaboration by moving its

Cirque-themed concepts out of a lounge-style environment and into a

theater.

 

The cruise line and the production company teamed up in 2004:

Celebrity would sponsor Cirque productions and Cirque would create

onboard entertainment for Celebrity.

 

But the first attempt to put a Cirque-themed event on Celebrity's

ships, which paired passengers with roaming Cirque characters in one

of the public rooms on the Constellation and Summit, was shelved last

month after agents and passengers failed to warm to the concept.

 

The new 30-minute show, created exclusively for the line, is called "A

Taste of Cirque du Soleil" and will play in the Celebrity Theatre.

 

Unlike the original Celebrity/Cirque concept, where Cirque characters

interacted with passengers in a bar setting, the Taste of Cirque show

will be a bonafide "show," with three acrobatic acts and animators.

 

Elizabeth Jakeway, a Celebrity spokeswoman, said that the new concept

is "presenting what our guests and trade partners told us they expect

when they hear 'Cirque,' which is artistic and acrobatic

performances."

 

The performance ran through several weeks of previews, and it debuted

Oct. 29 on the Constellation and will launch Nov. 20 on the Summit.

 

Like regular cruise-ship shows, the Taste of Cirque will run twice a

week to accommodate passengers in the ships' early and late seatings.

There will be no charge for the performance.

 

Jakeway said that though the weekly Cirque-branded Masquerade Party

has been disbanded, Celebrity will throw its own version of the event.

Passengers will be encouraged -- but not required -- to wear masks.

 

The forward lounge where the Cirque characters used to "live" during

the evenings, which was redecorated and named the Bar at the Edge of

the Earth, will retain the new name and the Cirque-designed decor.

[hermang]

Celebrity, Cirque repackage partnership in bigger venue (11/01/2005)

By Rebecca Tobin

 

MIAMI -- Celebrity Cruises is rolling out a soft launch -- a relaunch,

actually -- of its Cirque du Soleil collaboration by moving its

Cirque-themed concepts out of a lounge-style environment and into a

theater.

 

The cruise line and the production company teamed up in 2004:

Celebrity would sponsor Cirque productions and Cirque would create

onboard entertainment for Celebrity.

 

But the first attempt to put a Cirque-themed event on Celebrity's

ships, which paired passengers with roaming Cirque characters in one

of the public rooms on the Constellation and Summit, was shelved last

month after agents and passengers failed to warm to the concept.

 

The new 30-minute show, created exclusively for the line, is called "A

Taste of Cirque du Soleil" and will play in the Celebrity Theatre.

 

Unlike the original Celebrity/Cirque concept, where Cirque characters

interacted with passengers in a bar setting, the Taste of Cirque show

will be a bonafide "show," with three acrobatic acts and animators.

 

Elizabeth Jakeway, a Celebrity spokeswoman, said that the new concept

is "presenting what our guests and trade partners told us they expect

when they hear 'Cirque,' which is artistic and acrobatic

performances."

 

The performance ran through several weeks of previews, and it debuted

Oct. 29 on the Constellation and will launch Nov. 20 on the Summit.

 

Like regular cruise-ship shows, the Taste of Cirque will run twice a

week to accommodate passengers in the ships' early and late seatings.

There will be no charge for the performance.

 

Jakeway said that though the weekly Cirque-branded Masquerade Party

has been disbanded, Celebrity will throw its own version of the event.

Passengers will be encouraged -- but not required -- to wear masks.

 

The forward lounge where the Cirque characters used to "live" during

the evenings, which was redecorated and named the Bar at the Edge of

the Earth, will retain the new name and the Cirque-designed decor.

 

While I realize Cirque is a Celebrity thing - if the concept of doing it in a larger theater is what they need to succeed - than the theater on a Voyager class ship is where they need to do it.

 

The original production numbers using black light and flying were nothing short of breathtaking primarily because of the size of the stage. Compared to the Radiance class and by extrapolation the Millenium Class - the production numbers don't hold a candle because the stage is too small - IMHO

[mrssbi]

Like the idea of the new "show" concept.....but why on earth would they keep the "decorations/theme" of the bar at the edge of the earth. Very tacky and what a way to ruin a great room. Just an opinion.

[Jim_Iain]

I have to concur MRSSBI. IMHO they ruined the best bar on the ship. I look forward to the "Taste of Cirque" show.

[Cruise Arizona]

About 15 years ago I happened to be at Six Flags when the Moscow Circus was doing 6 week dress rehearsal for a show they were bringing to broadway. The acrobats and balancing, arialist and performers were great. The performed out side during the day so they didn't have even the benefit of theatrical lighting. It was spectacular, even with-out all the extras.

 

I think the new taste of Cirque will work great in the Celebrity Theater. It will probably feature the more intimate type acts like their contortionist, or the single arialist. If they are good, it should make up for the lack of large scale that the bigger Cirque shows are known for.

[Schplinky]

Arizona,

 

I believe I saw the same tour of the Moscow circus and while I thought it was very good, it also relied a bit heavily on animals. Can't imagine bears onboard. :)

 

I agree with you, though, that new incarnation of cirque has a better shot at pleasing people.

[Cruise Arizona]

This production we saw was a small theatrical circus, no ring, no animals(well maybe a small dog?). I'm sure they have big animals in their larger productions, but this was a theatrical production, designed for a prosceinium (spelling) stage.

 

My only thought is the acrobats, balancing acts, contortionist would have a much harder time on rough sea days. (Never have figured out how the ice skaters do it on RCI)

[Schplinky]

I agree! They will have to choose the acts carefully to ensure the safety of the performers and the entertainment of the crowd.

 

Interesting on the Moscow Circus thing. When they came here, it was a big, rather traditional circus which got protested by PETA (or a group like it) because animals were involved.

[dmarch@islc.net]

While I realize Cirque is a Celebrity thing - if the concept of doing it in a larger theater is what they need to succeed - than the theater on a Voyager class ship is where they need to do it.

 

What a wonderful idea!

[CaptData]

One thing to remember "A Taste of Cirque du Soleil" is just that a small portion not a major production. It is like a taste of anything is suppose to be a very small portion or one bite size piece. I like the idea and would not expect a performance on rough sea days after all balancing acts are a major portion of CDS.

[c-legs]

:mad: Hi,

So long as they restore the deck #11 forward observation lounges to its original state; an observation lounge, uncluttered, with OBSERVATION space.....Otherwise, they're correcting their original mistake of having CDS in the wrong venue, only halfway.

Cheers

CG