The Works Entertainment
The Works Entertainment is a privately held live entertainment production company founded by Simon Painter and Tim Lawson that creates and tours magic, circus, and theatrical shows — including the Illusionists franchise and Circus 1903 — across 400+ cities in 40 countries for theaters, arenas, and venue operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Works Entertainment does
The Works Entertainment is a privately held live entertainment production company that creates, presents, and produces touring theatrical and circus shows. It was founded by Creative Producer Simon Painter and Executive Producer Tim Lawson and operates from offices in Los Angeles, London, and Melbourne. The company's portfolio centers on the Illusionists franchise — billed as the most successful magic show in history — alongside circus and acrobatic productions such as Circus 1903, Le Grand Cirque, Cirque Paris, Le Noir, and The Unbelievables, plus the licensed Lionsgate Now You See Me live arena tour. Productions have toured to more than 400 cities across 40 countries, with record-breaking runs at venues including the Sydney Opera House, London's Shaftesbury Theatre and Southbank Centre, and Broadway's Marquis, St James, and Palace Theatres.
The company's business model is built around one-time licensing and touring engagements with theaters, arenas, and event organizers worldwide. Revenue is generated through ticket sales at booked venues and licensing of proprietary or third-party IP for live performance, with pricing set by individual venues. Distribution is direct: the company secures bookings with major venues and manages production logistics itself. It markets productions primarily through its official website and a YouTube channel featuring trailers and promotional video content. There is no proprietary technology platform, software product, or app; the company's core asset is its content library, creative team, and established venue relationships.
Customer-facing activity is concentrated in the B2B segment of theater and venue operators who require proven, high-demand entertainment content to drive box office revenue. End audiences are mass-market consumers of live family entertainment (magic, circus, theatrical spectacle). The company has no disclosed institutional investors, parent entity, or public listing, and is operated as a partnership between its two co-founders alongside a small core producing team.
The Works Entertainment firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Works Entertainment
- Legal name
- The Works Entertainment, Inc.
- Website
- https://theworksent.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Works Entertainment is a privately held live entertainment production company founded by Simon Painter and Tim Lawson that creates and tours magic, circus, and theatrical shows — including the Illusionists franchise and Circus 1903 — across 400+ cities in 40 countries for theaters, arenas, and venue operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Works Entertainment industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Entertainment Production
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Circus & Physical Theatre (MPAGABAL), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)
Keywords
Where The Works Entertainment is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Works Entertainment business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Live Entertainment Production and Touring: The company generates revenue by creating, producing, and touring live entertainment productions including magic shows, circus performances, and theatrical productions. Revenue is generated through ticket sales at venues including arenas, theaters, and iconic venues worldwide. They have produced multiple successful shows including The Illusionists franchise, Circus 1903, and Lionsgate's Now You See Me.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
The Works Entertainment product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Works Entertainment creates, presents, and produces touring live entertainment productions, including magic shows (The Illusionists franchise), circus performances (Circus 1903, Le Grand Cirque, Cirque Paris, Cirque Adrenaline, Le Noir), and licensed productions such as Lionsgate's Now You See Me live arena tour. Productions are licensed and booked into theaters, arenas, and iconic venues across more than 400 cities and 40 countries.
Product overview
The Works Entertainment is a live entertainment company that creates, presents, and produces first-class entertainment shows. The company operates as a portfolio of distinct productions rather than a unified platform. Its core offerings include The Illusionists franchise (The Illusionists – Witness The Impossible, The Illusionists 2.0, and The Illusionists: Turn of the Century), which is the most successful magic show in history with record-breaking runs at Sydney Opera House, London's Shaftesbury Theatre, and Broadway theaters. The company also produces circus productions including Le Grand Cirque, Aerial Dreams, Adrenaline, Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus, Cirque Paris, Cirque Adrenaline, Le Noir, and The Unbelievables. Additionally, The Works Entertainment produces licensed productions such as Lionsgate's Now You See Me live touring show.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Illusionists – Witness The Impossible
Quantifiable outcome
- Le Grand Cirque broke every box office record in the history of Sydney Opera House
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Works Entertainment
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Works Entertainment technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Works Entertainment partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Works Entertainment competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cirque du Soleil: The world's largest live circus and theatrical production company with a global touring portfolio. Most direct comparison to The Works Entertainment's circus and theatrical productions (Circus 1903, Cirque Paris), though Cirque operates at significantly larger scale.
- Feld Entertainment: Producer of large-scale touring family entertainment including Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. Comparable as a touring live entertainment production company with strong venue relationships and recurring touring franchises.
- Cirque Dreams: US-based theatrical cirque-style production company that creates and tours original circus-inspired shows. Closely comparable to The Works Entertainment's circus/dark-cabaret productions such as Le Noir and Cirque Adrenaline.
- Base Entertainment: Producer of large-scale touring shows including live arena adaptations of film IP. Comparable to The Works Entertainment's Now You See Me arena tour model and large-venue touring production.
Emerging players
- Round Room Entertainment: Live entertainment producer and tour operator for major touring exhibitions and shows. Overlapping with The Works Entertainment's touring exhibition-style shows and arena-scale productions.
Broad incumbents
- MSG Entertainment: Owner/operator of iconic venues and producer of live entertainment including the Rockettes and Christmas Spectacular. Comparable as a large-scale producer that combines venue ownership with show production, though operates at a much larger scale.
- Live Nation Entertainment: Largest global live entertainment promoter and venue operator. Indirect competitor for venue bookings and audience share, though The Works Entertainment typically partners with rather than competes against Live Nation for distribution.
- AEG Presents: Global live entertainment promoter and venue operator (parent of Anschutz Entertainment Group). Comparable as a venue partner and distributor for large-scale touring shows, with overlapping reach in Las Vegas, London, and major US venues.
- The Really Useful Group: Andrew Lloyd Webber's theatrical production company producing global stage musicals (Phantom, Cats). Comparable as a producer of premium ticketed theatrical touring shows, though focused on musicals rather than magic/circus.
Others
- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (entertainment programming): Cruise operator that produces or licenses large-scale live entertainment at sea. The Works Entertainment's touring/cirque-style acts have a comparable customer demographic (family / vacation entertainment) and production style.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Works Entertainment social profiles
Digital presenceThe Works Entertainment financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Works Entertainment leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
The Works Entertainment funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Works Entertainment M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Works Entertainment
What does The Works Entertainment do?
The Works Entertainment creates, presents, and produces touring live entertainment productions, including magic shows (The Illusionists franchise), circus performances (Circus 1903, Le Grand Cirque, Cirque Paris, Cirque Adrenaline, Le Noir), and licensed productions such as Lionsgate's Now You See Me live arena tour. Productions are licensed and booked into theaters, arenas, and iconic venues across more than 400 cities and 40 countries.
Is The Works Entertainment a public or private company?
The Works Entertainment is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Works Entertainment founded?
The Works Entertainment was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Works Entertainment based?
The Works Entertainment is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Works Entertainment make money?
One revenue line is on record: live Entertainment Production and Touring.
Who are The Works Entertainment's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cirque du Soleil, Feld Entertainment, Cirque Dreams and Base Entertainment. Round Room Entertainment is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are MSG Entertainment, Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents and The Really Useful Group. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (entertainment programming) is listed as an others.
Does The Works Entertainment have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Works Entertainment.
What industry is The Works Entertainment in?
The Works Entertainment's product category is Live Entertainment Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAFAH, Circus, Magic & Variety Shows, with a secondary code of MPAGABAL, Circus & Physical Theatre. Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.