The Globe and Mail reports that the world famous Cirque du Soleil will not be part of the Vancouver 2010 Opening and Closing Ceremonies with a source close to the Canadian company blaming tight control exerted over the creative process by Vancouver 2010 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
At one point the company was in discussions with VANOC to not only appear, but to be executive director of both ceremonies.
According to the newspaper both VANOC and Circque cite the latter’s commitments to private projects as the reason there was no deal.
Cirque du Soleil’s public relations director Renee-Claude Menard was asked if Cirque had wanted to direct the entire Opening and Closing Ceremonies. He said, “of course. That is the thing that Cirque does – we have creative control. We work with partners and have them accompany us and endorse us, but you either (employ Cirque) to do it or you don’t.
VANOC’s contribution to the Turin 2006 closing ceremony was “widely considered a flop” reports the Globe and Mail. Cirque du Soleil, as well as many other Canadian artists, was involved in that production. Executive vice president of celebrations and partnerships at VANOC David Guscott cautioned against drawing any conclusions regarding the IOC’s increased participation since 2006. He reportedly said he was disappointed that Cirque had withdrawn from consideration, but understood its reasons. “This is being the executive producer of an Olympic event. It’s a different kettle of fish form putting on a Las Vegas show”.
