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| O (Cirque du Soleil) | |
|---|---|
| Company | Cirque du Soleil |
| Genre | Contemporary circus |
| Premiere | 1998 |
| Venue | Bellagio, Las Vegas |
| Creators | Franco Dragone; Gilles Ste-Croix; Benoît Jutras |
O (Cirque du Soleil) is a resident stage production by Cirque du Soleil presented at the Bellagio in Paradise, Nevada. The show, conceived as a theatrical water spectacle, integrates elements drawn from French circus tradition, avant-garde theatre, synchronized swimming, and illusion. Since its premiere in 1998 it has become a signature attraction in Las Vegas, influencing contemporary circus productions worldwide.
O is a water-based acrobatic and theatrical production produced by Cirque du Soleil and originally directed by Franco Dragone. The show's music was composed by Benoît Jutras and its visual design involved collaborators from the worlds of fashion design and industrial design, such as participants who previously worked with Jean-Paul Gaultier and Philippe Starck. O combines live music, aerialists, synchronized swimmers formerly trained at institutions like the United States Olympic Training Center and companies such as Aqua Theatre of the Stars, utilizing a specially engineered pool beneath the stage, designed with input from architects and mechanical engineers.
Development began in the mid-1990s when Cirque du Soleil negotiated a residency with MGM Resorts International for a permanent production at the Bellagio owned by Steve Wynn. The creative team included founders of Cirque du Soleil such as Gilles Ste-Croix and director Franco Dragone, alongside composers and choreographers who had worked with companies like Cirque Eloize and institutions such as the National Ballet of Canada. O premiered in 1998 as part of the Bellagio's entertainment offerings alongside other shows and exhibitions curated by the resort. Over the ensuing decades the production underwent technical refurbishments and cast changes, influenced by trends in Las Vegas residency models and the international expansion of Cirque du Soleil.
The production's central technical feature is a 1.5-million-gallon pool integrated into the stage, engineered by specialists who previously collaborated with firms like WET Design and Milan Architectural Studio. The pool employs hydraulic lifts, retractable platforms, and filtration systems meeting standards used by aquatic venues such as the Olympic Aquatics Stadium. Rigging and lighting were designed in consultation with technicians from companies including Philips Entertainment and Meyer Sound Laboratories. Costumes were produced by ateliers with ties to Haute Couture houses and theatrical costume studios that have collaborated with Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera. Set designers drew inspiration from productions by Robert Lepage and visual dramaturgy used in experimental theatre festivals such as the Avignon Festival.
Choreography for the show blends techniques from synchronized swimming teams, aerial academe represented by schools like Cirque du Soleil École, and stage movement traditions linked to directors such as Pina Bausch. The score by Benoît Jutras incorporates motifs similar to those used in ballets staged by the Paris Opera Ballet and contemporary dance companies including Martha Graham Company. The visual tableau uses illusion techniques reminiscent of works by Harry Houdini and modern magicians featured on programs like Masters of Magic. Performers execute sequences comparable to routines by elite groups such as Swim Ireland and acrobatic troupes that have appeared at festivals like Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Critics from publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Las Vegas Review-Journal praised the production's spectacle, though some reviewers compared its aesthetic to earlier works by Franco Dragone and contemporaneous shows by companies like Cirque Éloize. O contributed to the elevation of Las Vegas as a site for high-art residencies alongside productions staged at venues like Caesars Palace and MGM Grand Garden Arena. The show's success influenced the programming strategies of entertainment corporations such as MGM Resorts International and inspired touring companies, contributing to the global spread of contemporary circus models seen in festivals like Montreal International Circus Festival.
Although primarily a resident production at the Bellagio, the show's format impacted touring variations and technical consultations for productions at venues such as Radio City Music Hall and large-scale arenas used by performers like Cirque du Soleil on tour. The Bellagio theater was custom-built for the show with engineering firms and architects who had worked on projects for institutions like Société des arts technologiques and events at the Venice Biennale. Performance schedules have adapted to events in Las Vegas including conventions hosted by Consumer Electronics Show and entertainment seasons anchored by companies such as Live Nation.
The original creative team included director Franco Dragone, composer Benoît Jutras, and designers with past associations to Jean-Paul Gaultier and theatrical ateliers linked to the Royal Shakespeare Company. Cast members have been recruited from institutions including the National Circus School of Montreal, Olympic swimming programs, and dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Over time, personnel have included performers and technicians who previously worked with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Cirque Éloize, and international ballet companies. The production has credited stage managers, costume heads, and choreographers with backgrounds at organizations like Lincoln Center and festivals such as the Spoleto Festival USA.
Category:Cirque du Soleil shows Category:Las Vegas shows