Creation has been the driving force behind Cirque du Soleil for the past 27 years

June 16, 2011 marks the 27th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil. From its beginnings on June 16, 1984, this young Quebec company has never stopped growing, and creation has been the key driving force behind this growth. Cirque du Soleil pays tribute to the creators who have contributed over the years to the creation of 31 unique shows through their imagination, creativity and desire to explore unknown territories. Today, Cirque du Soleil continues to bring wonder and delight to spectators around the world.

2011, an important year for creation
In 2011, Cirque continues to push the boundaries of creation. The company is launching three major productions in North America that bear witness to the originality and boldness of its creation teams:

Zarkana

Written and directed by world-renowned director and filmmaker François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk), Zarkana opened on June 9 at New York City’s legendary Radio City Music Hall. This acrobatic rock opera blends circus arts with the surreal to create a world where physical virtuosity rubs shoulders with the strange. The story follows Zark, a magician who has lost the love of his life—and with her, his powers—in an old abandoned theatre populated by a motley collection of off-the-wall characters and incomparable acrobats. Afterwards, Zarkana will be presented in the largest theatres in the world, including the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow and the Madrid Arena in Spain’s capital city.

IRIS

IRIS is written and directed by director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé, who is the founder and artistic director of the acclaimed French dance troupe Compagnie DCA. IRIS takes spectators on a fantastic voyage through the history of cinema and its genres, into the very heart of the movie-making process. From illustration to animation, black and white to colour, silent films to talkies, fixed shots to swooping camera movements, spectators witness the poetic construction/deconstruction of this art as an object and as a way of transcending reality. IRIS opens on July 21 exclusively at the Hollywood & Highland Center’s Kodak Theatre—home of the annual Academy AwardsTM

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour

Written and directed by Jamie King, THE IMMORTAL World Tour is a riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world. THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of the audience, and literally turns his signature moves upside down. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations. The show will begin its world tour at Montreal’s Bell Centre on October 2, 2011.

The magic of Cirque du Soleil in Montreal

By the end of 2011, Cirque du Soleil will be presenting 22 different productions worldwide, each bringing to stage the worlds imagined by prominent creators.

Starting June 16, spectators in Montreal can attend performances of TOTEM under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau on the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal.

Written and directed by Robert Lepage, TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential. Tickets are on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem .

Cirque du Soleil

From the 20 or so performers the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists who hail from some 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to over 100 million spectators in nearly 300 cities on six continents.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com