“As Cirque has transformed from an arty alternative to traditional big-top circus into what it is today, some suggest it has become emotionally cold and risk-averse. … The problem is that audiences have come to expect a certain scale from Cirque, and when they don’t get it” – as with Banana Shpeel, the company’s only real flop – “they may be disappointed.” It’s a danger Cirque founder and head Guy Laliberté is well aware of.