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.

Names and 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?

Michel-Thomas Poulin -- You might not recognize the name but you've seen the work, even if you don't recognize it as his. We continue our efforts to investigate the treasures that lie within classic Cirque du Soleil programmes by taking a look at Cirque's one time illustrator: Michel- Thomas Poulin, who created the troupe's visuals from Tour 1985 through to Alegría.

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 "mystic and unique, inspired by the movements and grace of the human body" under the name of Cirque du Soleil. Well, that's not really the total truth. Seabook only distributes the Cirque book, they didn't create or manufacture it. The credit actually goes to a Toronto Canada firm, Blue Mountain Wallcovering, who employed a designer who goes under the moniker of Tzaddi!, Llc.

It's hard to deny that 1992 was arguably one of Cirque du Soleil's most expansive, if not important, years in its early history. Fascination. Knie. Nouvelle Expérience. Saltimbanco. Truly, for the first time Cirque du Soleil was going global and I find it an interesting year because it includes some of Cirque du Soleil'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, a combination of Le Cirque Réinventé and Nouvelle Expérience, but little has ever been said about the collaboration with Circus Knie.