Cirque du Soleil Alizé, which premiered on November 20th 2025, marks a new era for the company as its first-ever permanent show in Europe. Co-produced with Live Nation, the show blends Cirque’s world-renowned acrobatics with the poetic illusions of Magie Nouvelle creators Raphaël Navarro and Valentine Losseau. The result is Acromagic – a spectacular fusion of circus artistry and stage magic designed to transport audiences into a world of wonder.
Wonder Works was appointed by Cirque du Soleil to lead the technical design and CAD, turning the creative vision of Alizé into a technically robust reality. Working closely with Cirque’s Technical Director Simon Lachance, Set Designer Chloe Lamford, and her assistant Machiko Weston, the Wonder Works team oversaw the complete design and integration process – from initial schematics through to final as-built documentation.
Together, they defined stage layouts, performance zones, and safety clearances while integrating complex show systems – including disappearing illusions, kabuki curtain effects, and tornado fans – into an already tightly packed venue infrastructure. Each element was carefully coordinated to maintain clear sightlines, ensure performer safety, and preserve the immersive magic of the production.
Transforming a classic proscenium theatre into a home for Alizé demanded precision and adaptability. Over three months, more than 60 technicians re-engineered the venue’s stage, grid, and backstage systems to accommodate the show’s ambitious performance requirements. The scenic design also had to consider that the stage must be partially dismantled for the month of February 2026 to make way for the Berlinale Film Awards, requiring a setup that could be reconfigured without compromising the integrity of the production.
Wonder Works’ Technical Designer Andy Bailey developed phased drawing packages – schematic, general arrangement, vendor coordination, and systems integration – enabling seamless collaboration across all creative and technical departments. Every component, from the lift mechanisms under the stage to the new top deck and joist reinforcements above it, had to meet both the artistic intent and the strict technical tolerances of the space. Despite tight timelines and evolving vendor specifications, Wonder Works ensured every system integrated seamlessly, preserving Cirque’s hallmark visual fluidity and technical precision.
With Alizé set for a decade-long residency, durability, flexibility, and long-term maintainability were central to the design process – a departure from Cirque du Soleil’s usual touring model. Andy Bailey, Lead Technical Designer, reflects:
“Working with Cirque on Alizé has been a masterclass in creative collaboration. Every illusion, every acrobatic element required meticulous technical planning – it’s about making the impossible look effortless.”
As Alizé prepares to captivate audiences in Berlin, Wonder Works’ contribution stands as a testament to how detailed technical design and creative engineering can transform an established venue into a living, breathing theatre of illusion – setting a new benchmark for permanent live entertainment in Europe.
CREDITS:
Simon L. Lachance – Technical Director, Camille Labelle – Assistant Technical Director, Jérémi Guilbault-Asselin – Technical Manager Set, Emily Meyer – Associate Technical Director, Nathalie Rail – Technical Coordinator, Andy Bailey (Wonder Works) – Head of Technical Design Drawings, John Thurston – Lead Systems Manager, Mathieu Gregoire – Technical Manager Performance Equipments, Ewan Seagel – Acrobatic Equipment Designer, Willem Catianis – Production Rigging Manager, David Trottier – Technical Manager Magic, Cristobal Lanzagorta Domene – Technical Manager Automation, Simon Fox – Lighting System Manager, Felix Cauffope – Technical Manager, Jean-Francois Beaudoin – Technical Manager Scenography & Props, Chloe Lamford – Set Designer, Machiko Weston – Assistant to Set Designer, Anthony Bezencon – Technical Manager Video, Jean-Michel Caron – Sound Designer, Martin Labrecque – Co-Lighting Designer, Nicolas Descoteaux – Co-Lighting Designer, France Godin – Production Stage Manager
SUPPLIERS:
Studio Hamburg – Stage & Scenic, Crystal – Tornado, Waagner Biro – Automation, BigRig – Rigging, VYV – Projection & Tracking, Gerriets – Drapes & Masking, Showtex – Kabuki, Propworks – Props, Solotech – Systems
