This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40523173
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cirque du Soleil buys Blue Man Group | Cirque du Soleil buys Blue Man Group |
(35 minutes later) | |
Canadian circus firm Cirque du Soleil has bought the US entertainment company Blue Man Productions as part of its drive to diversify beyond circus arts. | Canadian circus firm Cirque du Soleil has bought the US entertainment company Blue Man Productions as part of its drive to diversify beyond circus arts. |
The Montreal-based circus troupe also said the acquisition would help it extend its global presence. | The Montreal-based circus troupe also said the acquisition would help it extend its global presence. |
Cirque du Soleil is backed by a US private equity firm which has also invested in Burger King and Spotify. | |
It did not say how much it had paid for Blue Man, best known for performers wearing blue body paint. | |
Cirque du Soleil has previously said it wanted to expand its reach, growing in China and adding new acts. | Cirque du Soleil has previously said it wanted to expand its reach, growing in China and adding new acts. |
Chief executive Daniel Lamarre said in Thursday's statement that the Blue Man Group acquisition was a "decisive step towards materialising these ambitions. | Chief executive Daniel Lamarre said in Thursday's statement that the Blue Man Group acquisition was a "decisive step towards materialising these ambitions. |
"We want to broaden our horizons, develop new forms of entertainment, reach out to new audiences and expand our own creative capabilities," he added. | "We want to broaden our horizons, develop new forms of entertainment, reach out to new audiences and expand our own creative capabilities," he added. |
The company started in 1984 as a group of 20 street performers. It now employs almost 4,000 people and has 18 shows active throughout the world this year. | |
In 2015, a group that included US investment firm TPG Capital, took majority ownership of the company. | In 2015, a group that included US investment firm TPG Capital, took majority ownership of the company. |
Cirque du Soleil sold to investors | Cirque du Soleil sold to investors |
How Cirque du Soleil became a billion dollar business | How Cirque du Soleil became a billion dollar business |
TPG's other investments include fast food chain Burger King, fashion retailer J Crew, music streaming firm Spotify and Continental Airlines. | TPG's other investments include fast food chain Burger King, fashion retailer J Crew, music streaming firm Spotify and Continental Airlines. |
Blue Man Group, founded in New York by three friends, has been performing since 1991. Investment firm GF Capital took a stake in the company in 2010. | Blue Man Group, founded in New York by three friends, has been performing since 1991. Investment firm GF Capital took a stake in the company in 2010. |
It currently operates resident shows in New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando and Berlin, as well as two touring productions. | It currently operates resident shows in New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando and Berlin, as well as two touring productions. |