January 15, 2013 - 12:03 PM
MONTREAL - The world-renowned Cirque du soleil will be meeting with staff on Wednesday amid reports that up to 600 people could be laid off.
Renee-Claude Menard, the Cirque's senior director of public relations, said today she would not comment about layoff speculation until the staff meeting.
Menard and Cirque president Daniel Lamarre have been quoted in media reports as saying the organization is reviewing its operations and that it needs to adjust its business model after years of strong growth.
It currently is operating 19 shows worldwide.
Four others have closed recently although the organization's website lists a slate of international premieres in January.
The Cirque employs about 5,000 people worldwide, including 2,000 at its head office in Montreal.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013