Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil revolutionized the circus arts, transcending the traditional big-top approach of the past to spotlight elaborate sets, lavish costume, and original music. Founded in Quebec in 1984 by Guy Lalibert+¬ and Daniel Gauthier, the original group comprised local street performers; shunning animal acts to focus exclusively on human spectacles -- stilt-walkers, jugglers, fire-eaters, and the like -- the troupe quickly earned a following throughout Canada, eventually spreading across North America. Where the original group of traveling performers numbered only a scant fe...