Since the inception of Le Grand Chapiteau's companion, the "Fascination! Newsletter", we've had the opportunity to rummage through Cirque's history on more than one occasion. Thus, in SPECIALS, we go back Behind the Curtain to share the many rewarding and fulfilling aspects of our research: from quirky items found lurking within programme books and items produced by other companies, to affiliations of the Cirque and everything else under the Soleil uncovered in our endeavors.

Ever come across a page dotted with star-like shapes accompanying names within your Cirque du Soleil programmes and wondered what that page was all about? If you've seen such a page then you've stumbled upon the recognition for "The Friends of Cirque du Soleil" - a rewards program for those patrons who donated to and helped Cirque du Soleil fund its spectacles.

Whether through blue-and-yellow stripped, blue-and-yellow swirled, gold-and-white or just in a plain white Grand Chapiteau's, Cirque du Soleil brings a swirl of color with it wherever it goes. Nestled within the 1987 tour programme book is a unique treasure: a rare 8-page insert, featuring whimsical circus-like scenes for eager kids (and adults alike) to lend their own little splash of color.

Labels like "Créations Méandres", "Tous Azimuts", "Télémagik", and "Enterprises Nâga" have been seen on various Cirque du Soleil programmes, videos, CDs and other merchandise world-wide. Having seen these names one might ask how they all fit in. And, more importantly, whatever happened to them? Let's take a moment to expand upon one of them: "Le Groupe du Soleil".

Michel-Thomas Poulin -- You might not recognize the name but you've seen his work. It's Cirque's one-time illustrator! His affair with Cirque began in 1985 when he created the visual for that year's tour and it continued through to 1994 with Alegría's tour. Michel-Thomas Poulin may not be a household name, or even be recognized by Cirque fans, but he has arguably created some of the most recognizable Cirque du Soleil images and illustrations to date.

Wallpaper is not something that immediately springs to mind when one thinks of Cirque du Soleil. But that hasn't stopped Seabrook Wallcoverings, Inc. from creating wallcovering designs that are "mystic and unique, inspired by the movements and grace of the human body" under the name of Cirque du Soleil. At first we thought the melding of wallpaper and Cirque du Soleil was something unobtainable, but we were pleasantly surprised!

It's hard to deny that 1992 was arguably one of Cirque du Soleil's most expansive, if not most important, years in its early history - for the first time the company was truly going global! The year included some of Cirque's most mysterious ventures: Fascination in Japan and a partnership with KNIE in Switzerland. Over the years fans have shed a lot of light upon Fascination but little has ever been said about the collaboration with Circus Knie. Until now.

The Audition. Job interview of the entertainment arts. Where years of training, sweating and pain come together in a burst of creative energy. And all too often for an artist their hopes are dashed immediately, in front of a large group of people including the "winners." Yet they subject themselves to the process again and again, sometimes with success, more often with failure. So what exactly is this unique Cirque du Soleil audition like? What makes it so different from others?

Few moments in theater have the power to awe as completely as the opening of Cirque du Soleil’s "O". From the moment the luscious red velvet curtain "whoosh’s" away one is immediately startled and transported into its wonderful watery world. And if you’re like us you might take a second to wonder before the next visual treat commands your attention, "How did they do that?"