One of the signature qualities of The Beatles has been their ability to reinvent their music. Throughout their careers (both as a band and as solo artists), the Fab Four has shown multiple layers to their talent, and an ongoing desire to push the envelope. With this understanding of pushing the envelope and reinvention, it was only natural to see the band create Love with Cirque du Soleil. The result is much more than fab. It’s an epic display of acrobatic artistry, visual inspiration, and Beatlemania.
The show premiered in 2006 to rave reviews, and has continued to stun audiences for over twelve years. Currently running at The Mirage in Las Vegas, the show originally began as a discussion between the late George Harrison and Guy Laliberte (a Cirque du Soleil founder) in 2000. What followed after Harrison’s passing was three years of negotiations between the existing members of The Beatles, Olivia Harrison, Yoko Ono, Apple Corps LTD (the Beatles’ holdings company), and MGM Mirage. Flash forward to 2018, and the show is still going strong twelve years later.
(Immerse yourself in the underwater world of “Octopus Garden” at The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. Video courtesy of Cirque du Soleil YouTube.)
This success is based upon the show’s storyline and all of the minute details that go into pulling it off. The storyline centers loosely on the history of the band members and their evolution. From their early years growing up to the formation of the band to their various reinventions, Love not only highlights The Beatles historically, it also inspires visually. That visual inspiration happens because of the minute details done in the planning stages. Discussing the revisions made in 2016, artistic director Melanie LaLonde shared with Las Vegas Magazine that “LOVE’s original creative team and director Dominic Champagne led the 10-year anniversary evolution, working intensely with the cast, crew, original designers and new choreographers and designers, as well as with our partners at Apple Corps Ltd. to usher LOVE into the next 10 years and beyond in a brighter, bolder and bigger way (lasvegasmagazine).” While the first ten years of the show had a nostalgic feel, the latest revamp performing in Vegas brings color and joy to the stage with a focus on the phenomenon of Beatlemania, “Beatlemania is back (cirquedusoleil).” Cirque du Soleil’s Love harnesses the essence of The Fab Four and their ability to reinvent themselves one song at a time. It’s an epic display of artistry and everything Beatles.
(The Beatles Love trailer by Cirque du Soleil courtesy of The Beatles YouTube.)
The Beatles had a knack for reinventing themselves through their music, both as a band and also as solo artists. With a desire to push the envelope professionally, The Fab Four connecting with Cirque du Soleil only confirms that continued push, and results in a beautiful display of Beatlemania and acrobatic artistry.
~Jenna Jakes, WOGB
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