It was a little more than 20 years ago today that George Harrison had a conversation with Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberté about a synthesis of Beatles music and Cirque spectacle. Harrison, who by then had worked extensively as a film producer, could envision a workable stage show—although he would pass away before development and design—with a little help from his friends. The result was The Beatles LOVE, which premiered at The Mirage on June 30, 2006.
Cirque du Soleil’s celebration of the Fab Four took a hiatus, as did every other show on the Strip, but returned this August with a sold-out opening night and cast-member parade in the hotel. The return came in advance of renewed interest in Harrison’s band due to Hulu docuseries McCartney 3, 2, 1 and director Peter Jackson’s Disney+ documentary Get Back, a re-examination of the Let It Be film project, with producer George Martin’s son Giles at the remixing helm.
It was the Martins’ musical mentorship that made it possible for The Beatles LOVE to become a reality, with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Harrison’s wife Olivia and Yoko Ono on hand for the debut. The Martins created song segues for the soundtrack, used an alternate version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that’s even more melancholy than the original, backward-masked “Sun King” and drew on snippets of studio banter to create ambience.
From there, it was up to the producers and performers who transformed live entertainment to create the ultimate tribute to the band that transformed pop music. Cirque brought characters from lyrics to life, with some such as Sgt. Pepper and Father McKenzie easily discernible. The Beatles themselves are recognizable in silhouette form during the show, with Starr’s shadow playing in time to “Get Back,” one of several adrenalizing numbers including a mash-up of “Revolution” and “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” and a medley of “Twist and Shout”/ “I Want to Hold Your Hand”/ “Drive My Car.”
Doctor Robert, Lady Madonna and The Fool feature prominently, as do Groupies, Kids of Liverpool and Sailors symbolizing the trans-Atlantic seamen who brought rock ‘n’ roll records to the port city where the Beatles formed, and the band members were born.
Songs such as “Something” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” provide context for poignant and profoundly affecting physical artistic expression. The latter song is enhanced by hand-drawn animation, an effect that’s equaled only by the bubbly underwater universe created for “Octupus’s Garden.”
John Lennon sang there was nothing you could do that can’t be done. Cirque du Soleil took that advice to heart as it created choreography and costumes, incorporated aerial artists and skate ramps, and evoked the spirit of yesterday with the talents and technology of today to create one of the most uplifting, elevating experiences on The Strip. Beatles fans in search of a day in the life that will get them back to where they once belonged may find all they need is to witness The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. It’s just what Doctor Robert would order.
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
