The circus is big business, according to Face value:
Since creating Cirque du Soleil in 1984, Mr Laliberté has developed a distinctive brand of live performance that combines traditional circus performers recruited from around the globe with opera and theatre, complete with lavish costumes, amazing sets, original music and high-tech special effects. No animals are used, as they are costly and ethically tricky. But none of this comes cheap. It requires at least $20m and more than two years to take a show from bright idea to opening night. Mr Laliberté aims to produce one new show a year, which means having three in production at a time. Revenues have grown by 15% a year since 2000, to $550m last year, thanks to the 7m people who paid up to $150 a ticket to see the latest greatest show on earth.