Cirque du soleil to meet with staff amid layoff reports

World-renowned Cirque du soleil will be meeting with staff Wednesday amid reports that up to 600 people could be laid off.

Renee-Claude Menard, Cirque's senior director of public relations, said on Tuesday she would not comment about layoff speculation until the staff meeting.

However, she confirmed the famed organization is conducting a major review of its operations in light of "our recent production adjustments."

"It is a completely normal adjustment for any type of company."

Cirque has 19 productions being presented worldwide, and is working on a new show to open in May in Las Vegas, Ms. Menard added. She said another touring production that will open in the spring of 2014 in Montreal is also in the works.

Four shows besides the 19 still on stage have closed recently. The organization's website also lists a slate of international premieres in January.

She described the gathering on Wednesday as an annual meeting with staff "where we will update them and keep them abreast of where we are at in our review."

Cirque employs about 5,000 people worldwide, including 2,000 at its head office in Montreal.