Here is a more recent review of the show:
Sat Apr 7, 2007 7:42 pm (PST)
Awhile back I saw Beatles "Love" at the Mirage and wrote a review. I didn'tlike the show very much. This week I was able to get a comped ticket and
took another look. This time I enjoyed it more. One thing that really helped
was having a great seat. Unlike at other Cirque du Soleil shows, "Love"
isn't a case where all seats are pretty much equally good. The problem with
"Love" is that the theater in the round isn't exactly round, so some seats rise
at a different angle than others, and many screens are lowered which have
images projected on them. If you sit in the higher levels, as I did the first
time out, the screens may block part of your view. The screens can also be
somewhat distracting. My perfect seat this time was the $165.00 Row K, Seat 15
- directly in the center, at a level just slightly higher than the stage.
Some other "orchestra" seats are lower, some even actually almost below the
level of the stage. If you can get Row K or a few rows above that, I would
suggest that.
Since I love the Beatles music and admire other Cirque shows, I did enjoy
the show this time. I guess my big gripe is still that the show could have
been a lot better. If you've never seen a Cirque show, you definitely will
enjoy this one, with all the usual Cirque items such as clowns, interesting
costumes, great aerialists, and some good acrobatics. Even if you have seen the
better "O" or other shows, you probably will also like this one. The big draw
here is definitely the Beatles music - so unless you hate their music, you
will enjoy it.
On second viewing, I think I would rate current Cirque shows in this order:
"O", Ka and Love, Mystere, Zumanity. Ka was great on first viewing, but
diminished quite a bit on second viewing, when we knew what to expect. I've
viewed "O" about 4 or 5 times now, and would love to go again....so for me, that
shows me it's the top show.
As for "Love" I think the problem basically is that Cirque stayed with its
standard shticks and characters and kept using the same characters throughout
the show. What works well with one Beatles tune, didn't mean it would work
as well with another. Also "Love" uses many, but not all of the most famous
tunes. Perhaps George Martin and others felt that some of the songs had been
heard too much, were too famous to use. In the liner notes for the Love CD,
he indicates that they agonized over using "Yesterday" in the show because it
was so famous. Yet, why not use the famous songs? The show is in fact a
Beatles tribute -- so why not use "Hard Day's Night", "Nowhere Man" and "Yellow
Submarine," to mention three that come to my mind as being missing?
On second viewing, I realized that a number of the Beatles songs are
strange, if not outright depressing (I am the Walrus for strange, Eleanor Rigby for
depressing). Maybe using a happier song such as Yellow Submarine would have
made it easier to mesh Cirque with Beatles?
One suggestion for Cirque -- sometimes less is more. On a song like
"Yesterday," Paul McCartney clearly realizes that sometimes less can make a song
more powerful, since in his concert show, he sings that one alone on stage, with
his guitar, rather than with the full band treatment. In Love, a full
regalia of Cirque characters cross the stage during Yesterday. Often there were
just too many people on stage, and the number of performers plus the number of
screens with projected images could be distracting (especially if you were
sitting at the wrong height!).
I find it hard not to nitpick on the show, since it just seemed obvious to
me that some moments could have been better. "Help" is one of the best
numbers, with fantastic skaters going up and down large curved ramps that
immediately evoke images of the Beatles skiing as they sang "Help" in the movie. "An
Octopuses Garden" is probably the best meshing of Cirque and Beatles. Even
the comic version of "Blackbird" works well in this show.
But other numbers in the show sort of grated on me. For example in "While
My Guitar Gently Weeps" one of the clowns stands holding a cello throughout --
huh?? It's about a guitar, people!!! And the finale "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely
Hearts Club Band" where pretty much the whole cast goes on stage -- but no
one dresses up as Sgt. Pepper's Band! I also thought "Lady Madonna" came off
strangely, with a little bit of racist images -- was it all in my mind or was
it there? -- with a pregnant black lady dancing with a black guy in
coveralls and nappy-haired wig and I thought of "Stepin Fetchit" from 1930's films.
And as "Lucy in the Sky" did her lovely aerialist act while strobe lights
flashed like diamonds all over the ceiling -- why was there a guy in coveralls
with a weird wheel barrel contraption that was kind of distracting? And in
beautiful "Here comes the Sun" I would have expected bright orange and reds but
instead we get "Here comes the candles" with subdued lights, people carrying
candles, a train with candles goes across the stage, and a large orb rises
up to brighten things, but it is made from candles.
Maybe part of the problem was that the show seemed full of symbolism, trying
to evoke various thoughts about the Beatles and their songs and their
history, and sometimes the symbolism was murky, leaving me scratching my head as to
what it all meant. And sometimes it seemed pretty silly -- like when one of
the Volkswagon Beatles car shows up on stage and breaks apart -- they had to
be saying "The Beatles broke up!"
The Beatles tracks have been reworked by George Martin and Giles Martin, and
they did a great job. On my first viewing of the show, the music sounded
just great. However in this seat, with the great view, sometimes I found the
soundtrack too loud.
A little girl sitting beside me found the show fascinating, and most people
remarked about how great it was. Certainly it is an entertaining show. But
it is the Beatles, and I just thought it could have been better
Below is the way to think about this show:
My Summary:
From a guy I really trust, Gregrio, who lives in Vegas showrooms : the recommendation of 209 and 200 or others like that is probably the best idea. These are upper orchestra.
Many people complained if they were too far up front because the show was around them so much of it was to their backs.
Many said the $125 were superior to the $150 seats and some felt the $99 were just as good. The $69 are not very far behind the $99 seats. I suspect you'd have a good time from them also.
Looking at the seating chart would certainly help.
Here is how to do that:
View the seating chart.
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/default.htm
click on the LOVE square
click on the words "access ticket information"
See the seating chart. Click on the sections under it and it will change.
Call the BOXOFFICE for tickets: 1.800.627.6667
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Here is the Mirage site. I think you can get tickets from their box office too. There is a trailer to give you a sense of the show.
http://www.mirage.com/entertainment/entertainment_cirque_du_soleil.aspx
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Here are comments from Vegas boards. They give you a pretty good sense of the show and some seating advice. Keith is aiming for the 209-210 section, the upper orchestra.
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from a trip report:
We had $125 tickets and I strongly recommend them. The $150 seats are on the floor and force you to look up (much of the CDS action takes place above the stage) and then back down to the stage. The $125 seats are stadium seating and allow you to look down and catch more of the action. The balcony seats, especially the upper balcony, may be too far away.
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"LOVE" IS PRETTY COOL! It starts in the Boxoffice. Lots of polished chrome, mirrors,
silver slot machines with red leather armrests, a glowing glass Union Jack ceiling, enhanced and illuminated
white floor that leads you to the Showroom, and then..................the stairs!
Lots and lots of stairs. Stairs to the Showroom, more stairs down to your seats................
more stairs AGAIN if you're sitting in the front and only 1 handrail on the side...not down
the middle like in many Theatres. I saw some older folks having a bit of a hard time navigating.
I was 1st Row, Section 209...one of the upper/back sections. The large wall video screens
are behind Sections 207,209,208,202,200,201. I recommend these sections so you view
both the Show and screens while looking straight ahead.
From the other 200 Series Sections, you'll look Left or Right to view the BIG screens.
ANY seat in the upper sections will be very good seats!
4 other large retractable screens appear throughout the Show for different scenes/songs....
....or should I say 'colauges'. They sometimes lay the music of one song over the lyrics
of another...AND IT WORKS! Some use just instrument tracks, some just acapella.
George Martin must have had the tape recorders rolling every minute 'the boys' were in
the studio, because he's got everything down on tape and uses it throughout the Show.
The thing you might have to remind yourself of (I did), is the Creators objective was to
surround you/invelope you, in BEATLES MUSIC from different erras.
They've created the CHARACTORS/IMAGES the song lyrics represent...
All you need is love, love is everything.
I never saw (in my mind) the terrible destruction and desperation during the bombing of
Liverpool during the war: example, ELENORE RIGBY.
"LOVE" is very different from all the other CIRQUE Shows.
It's a very young male/female cast, great costumes and sets...more choreographed dance
numbers than in other CIRQUE Shows...there's acrobats and aerial artists, but it's done
a bit differently...it's done to the music of The BEATLES and it's VERY COOL!
NOTE:
The 'down front' 100 Series Sections are very close to the stage (and it's high up)...too close for me. Your view of the stage starts at nose level for the First Row and you'll be
looking streight up at the aerials. Sections 107,108,101,102 might have a hard time seeing
the video screens on the far side of the Theatre too...don't know, wasn't sitting there
and won't the next time I see "LOVE" either.
...Those were my thoughts after I had seen the Show in June.
If you're not a big BEATLES fan, you might not care for it as much
as other folks who are and might concider "O"...personally, I'd choose
MYSTERE.
I'll be booking another ticket for myself today to see LOVE again on my
September trip. This time....I'm looking for a seat in one of the front
sections just to compare with. SECTIONS 209 or 200 are still the best
I think.
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We had the cheap seats for Love because I booked last minute and the more expensive ones weren't all that much better. We were in sec. 304 (I think) right up at the top in FF and still could see everything. We thoroughly enjoyed the music and the show.
Reply With Quote
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In June, after seeing The Beatles "LOVE" during their preview Shows,
I posted Sections 209 and 200 were some of the best areas
to view the Show from...AND THEY STILL ARE!
If you only have one opportunity to see "LOVE", I still think they are
the 'best bangs for your bucks'.
I'm fortunate enough to be able to visit Vegas every 3d month, I
wanted to see "LOVE" again, and now have my 'current' favorite
place to sit...(all subject to change of course, lol)
Row 'E' is the last, back row of Section 102 on the opposite side
of Section 209 where I was the first time and...IT WASN'T TOO CLOSE!
In fact, you feel right in the middle of the Show and can see everything
just great.
It sets right next to one of the enterance runways so you see
the Artists entering and exiting the various scenes. The view is such,
you see everything from a bit of an 'off center' angle, which made it
all the more interesting/enjoyable for me!
Before sitting down, I tried the very front two rows...they were
definitely too close for me.
I didn't notice any changes from the preview Shows, but having only
seen it once before, that would be expected. The Show is in it's groove
now and is just GREAT!
(...actually, they do blow bubbles much better now!)
No changes in the music...and there shouldn't be. Certain sounds, voices,
memories still brought chills and a few tears.
"All you need is love"..........it seemed such an obvious philosophy
at the time...for 90min., you WILL feel it again.
Take it home after the Show.
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Turns out our choices were either those seats for $125 or the balcony for $99. We chose the $125 seats hoping it's better to be more on a level eye field of the performance versus looking down on the performance. Either way it's our fault for booking only 4 weeks in advance having known about this trip for 2 months now! Thanks for the quick reply.
Reply With Quote
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For Love I would get the $125 tickets, they provide a better view then the $150 tickets if you ask me.
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I'm totally satisfied with the seats I get and the price I pay.
"LOVE" Section 209 or 200, $125.00
www.mirage.com 'click' the "LOVE" pic, view the seating chart.
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we saw it from the front row and agreed that that was a mistake...as we exited the theatre, we walked up the stairs toward the upper orchestra and stopped due to a bit of a bottleneck with everyone trying to get out...we turned back to look at the stage and both said 'wow!' as it was such a different perspective and such a better perspective than the lower orchestra was.
Have not seen the view from the regular balcony, but would think that the first few rows would be fine too.we saw it from the front row and agreed that that was a mistake...as we exited the theatre, we walked up the stairs toward the upper orchestra and stopped due to a bit of a bottleneck with everyone trying to get out...we turned back to look at the stage and both said 'wow!' as it was such a different perspective and such a better perspective than the lower orchestra was.
Have not seen the view from the regular balcony, but would think that the first few rows would be fine too.
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went to see LOVE last week and had the $89 seats the view was magnificent saw absolutely everything . I am a proffesional sound and lighting engineer and wes still amazed at the production.
A tip for everyone is that the best seats in any theatre is directly in front of or behind the sound and lighting control desk this is where every show is produced from . the sound and lighting is centered on this point .Never get front row seats .I M O the most expensive seats in the house should be center stage halfway up.
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Any seat is good, but we sat in the front row and wished we had sat further back.
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And if you haven't had enough, here are the original threads that I just condensed. They make interesting reading from people who saw the show:
If after reading over these discussions, you still have questions or feel conflicted, let me post your dilemma on the boards and see what they say. One fellow Gregrio is really very knowledgeble about shows. He will answer if I post a question.
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22631&highlight=seating+Love
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22207&highlight=seating+Love
Here are a few more such discussions:
april 2007 notes
click one
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23245&highlight=Love+Beatles
click two
http://www.lasvegastalk.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=27843&highlight=love+beatles
click three
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22639&highlight=Love+Beatles
click four
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22777&highlight=Love+Beatles
click five
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21703&highlight=Love+Beatles
click six
http://www.lasvegastalk.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=31354&highlight=love+beatles
click seven
http://www.lasvegastalk.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=29790&highlight=love+beatles
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