Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group has acquired the production company behind “The Illusionists” magic show franchise.
The production company, The Works Entertainment, also owns other variety shows in addition to “The Illusionists,” which had its fourth Broadway engagement this past December.
This is the third acquisition Cirque du Soleil has made in recent years, after purchasing VStar Entertainment Group, which produces Sesame Street Live, in 2018 and the Blue Man Group in 2017.
“The Works productions have natural affinities with our own, in that they are high-quality universal live experiences that appeal to different audiences from different cultures around the world without having to adapt the show to each market,” said Daniel Lamarre, president and chief executive of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “Magic, a genre that The Works has successfully mastered through their hugely successful Illusionists franchise, has been performed for centuries and continues to enjoy a steadfast popularity among audiences worldwide. I’m honoured to have their creative minds and theatrical expertise join our ranks.”
The Works Entertainment was founded by creative producer Simon Painter and executive producer Tim Lawson in 2012. In addition to “The Illusionists,” the company has produced circus shows including “Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus,” cabaret shows and musical theater productions.
Cirque du Soleil did not disclose the acquisition price, but said the deal was financed with a portion of a new U.S. $120 million unsecured credit facility.
