The Beatles’ “LOVE” show comes to an end – 11.5 million visitors since 2006

The Beatles’ Cirque du Soleil show “LOVE” is ending after 18 years, having entertained 11.5 million visitors in Las Vegas since 2006.

Cirque du Soleil has ended the Beatles show “LOVE” after 18 years. It opened in June 2006 as a destination show for Beatles fans – and was the only authorized live show of the Beatles worldwide. The show was performed to over 11.5 million guests during its 18-year run.

The cancellation of the show means that around 220 members of the cast and crew will lose their jobs. Cirque du Soleil wants to use as many of these artists as possible for its touring shows.

“We are still in the development phase,” says Daniel Lamarre, Executive Vice Chairman of Cirque du Soleil. “We stay in touch with them. We have more shows in the pipeline.”

But representatives from Cirque and Apple Corps, the Beatles’ parent company, have said there will be no reboot of “LOVE” as either a resident or touring show. There are no plans for a future partnership between the Beatles and Cirque, although Apple Corps may organize another licensed Beatles stage show elsewhere, albeit not with Cirque artists.

“‘LOVE’ ran for 18 years, and I think that show could have run at least as long as ‘Mystere’ because it’s a classic,” says Lamarre. “Everyone is shocked because we thought this show would run much longer.”

Lamarre is one of the few executives still with the company who helped conceive the show two decades ago, the first-of-its-kind combination of the French-Canadian circus and the music of the legendary band. Unfortunately, the cancellation of “LOVE” was up in the air because Hard Rock had taken over the Mirage in Las Vegas, the show’s home, and was planning a renovation that would remove the theater.

“LOVE” also failed to match the numbers of its early days in its final months, operating at about 60% capacity until its closure was announced. If the show was to continue after Hard Rock’s three-year remodel of the Mirage, it would likely have required a major overhaul for reopening.

“The magical friendship we have had with Cirque du Soleil over the past 18 years has given millions of people around the world the opportunity to experience the music of The Beatles in ways we could never have imagined without their artistry and creative vision,” said a statement on the Beatles’ website. “We want to express our love, thanks and appreciation to the brilliant cast and crew of the show. And to all the fans from around the world who have come to see it. Thank you.”

Paul McCartney’s last visit to the show was on September 30, when he was in town to see U2 play at The Sphere. He sent a congratulatory video to the cast and crew of the show, which played last Saturday, during a final Zoom meeting.

Ringo Starr last saw the show on May 30th during his own run at the Venetian Theater. He celebrated his 84th birthday on the same day as the last “LOVE” performance.