Russian Cirque Performer Critically Injured in Canada

Last week it became apparent that, despite appearances, the the Cirque du Solei really can't do everything, immune to injury at least.  Last Friday, one such performer was critically injured in Canada while rehearsing for a performance.  According to a report in the Los Angele Times, the Russian performer fell off of a trampoline during a stunt, causing serious injuries to his head.

The performer was unconscious when parametics arrived on the scene.  He is being treated at Sacre-Coeur hospital in Montreal.

Previous serious injuries amongst Cirque performers include the collapse of a 29-year-old performer during a production of "Zumanity" in Las Vegas and the 15 to 20 foot fall to the stage suffered by an acrobat in a Portland performance of "Corteo."

Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier. Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world, with its own central theme and storyline. They draw the audience into the performance through continuous live music, with performers rather than stagehands changing the props.  Cirque expanded rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s, going from one show to approximately 4,000 employees from over 40 countries producing 19 shows in over 271 cities on every continent except Africa and Antarctica, with an estimated annual revenue exceeding $810 million. The multiple permanent Las Vegas shows alone play to more than 9,000 people a night, 5% of the city's visitors, adding to the 90 million people who have experienced Cirque worldwide.  Cirque's creations have been awarded numerous prizes and distinctions, including Bambi, Rose d'Or, three Gemini Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards and the 1991 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.