Fosun Officially Signed with Cirque Du Soleil in Hong Kong to Present TORUK – THE FIRST FLIGHT
On December 2nd, 2017, Fosun officially announced the launch of Cirque Du Soleil’s TORUK – THE FIRST FLIGHT in Mainland China, and in Sanya, Hainan Province from February 1st to mid-May, 2018. The world-renowned Cirque Du Soleil, considered a “national treasure” of Canada, created the spectacular theatre experience based on the record-breaking movie AVATAR.
Avatar Show Will Debut in Big Top
Cirque Du Soleil plans to conduct 120 performances of “THE FIRST FLIGHT” in Sanya, giving the Chinese audience the opportunity to enjoy the remarkable fantasy, which focuses on Pandora and the engaging story of three Avatar teenagers seeking to save the “Tree of Souls”.
During the past two years, “THE FIRST FLIGHT” has toured more than 60 cities in more than 11 countries and regions around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, Sydney and other leading tourist destinations. The unique AVATAR-based show established a top-grossing world tour that has received rave reviews wherever it is performed.
The show in Sanya will feature a remarkable new twist, namely, the first-ever performance in a big top, which will enable Cirque Du Soleil to showcase the original charm of the performance better than in a stadium setting. The square big top will boast an enormous stage and a total projection area of 1,858 square meters -- larger than five IMAX screens. This configuration will produce the perfect combination of sound and light effects for the stage, creating a magical experience and a visual feast for the Chinese audience.
Two IPs Complements Each Other
Directed by James Cameron, produced by Twentieth Century Fox, and released in 2009, “AVATAR” is a landmark in the history of film, with a total global box office of $2.7 billion. In 2015, Cirque Du Soleil created a new theatre performance “THE FIRST FLIGHT” inspired by the movie and in close cooperation with director Cameron, bringing the planet, Pandora, onto the stage.
The presence of two IPs – “Cirque Du Soleil” and “AVATAR” -- in Sanya will bring a visually extraordinary and never-before-seen experience to the Chinese audience.
Drives “Tourism 3.0” in Sanya
Hainan Province celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2018, and Cirque Du Soleil’s AVATAR performance is a gift by Fosun to mark the festive occasion. The performance has been strongly supported by the governments of Hainan Province and Sanya City.
Coinciding with the launch of “THE FIRST FLIGHT”, Fosun’s Atlantis Resort Complex will welcome guests with a grand opening in Sanya, marking the official start of Sanya’s “Tourism 3.0” Era. As one of the most important construction projects on the Hainan International Tourism Island, the AVATAR show is expected to energize Sanya’s tourism market.
Fosun Dramatically Expands Sanya’s Tourism Market with Global Resources
Cirque Du Soleil established its Asian headquarters in Shanghai soon after Fosun invested in the company in 2015. According to Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun International Limited, the investment in Cirque Du Soleil is not only one of Fosun’s landmark initiatives in cultural entertainment, but also another example of Fosun’s investment philosophy: “Combining China’s momentum with global resources”.
In recent years, Fosun has focused on the “health, happiness and wealth” of global households, and has significantly expanded the tourism and leisure industry through its “happiness” sector. According to Qian Jiannong, Fosun Global Partner and Chairman & CEO of Fosun Tourism and Culture Group, Fosun’s Tourism and Culture Group has invested in Club Med, Thomas Cook, Sanya Atlantis, Shanghai Fosun Albinon Tourism Development Co., Ltd., etc. This investment has created a global tourism and culture entity that includes all types of business and all aspects of the industry.
Fosun continues to consolidate its presence in major tourism cities. It currently owns Club Med and Sanya Atlantis in Sanya. Cirque Du Soleil’s AVATAR show is yet another major effort by Fosun to expand within the Sanya market. Thomas Cook, the UK's largest travel agency and a Fosun investment company, will also promote Sanya tourism worldwide. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hainan Province, Fosun’s international tourism and culture brands will gather together in Sanya, making the peak tourist season more exciting than ever before.
