For months they toiled to create a show that featured new artists, a new theme and would be the biggest most theatrical piece yet produced by the troupe. When work was complete it was discovered they had a new Expérience to show the masses; and thus, Nouvelle Expérience was born. "The show is in no way didactic, it doesn't preach any Gaia message, but we feel our ideas of ecological harmony infuse the show," said Mr. Dragone, the show's director.

Even so: "We break even more circus traditions in the process," promises clown David Shiner. "There are many more theatrical elements to this show."

The show began its run in Montréal in May of 1990, and took off on a 19-month whirlwind tour of the North American continent. By the end of 1991, Nouvelle Expérience had been to dozens of cities in which 1.3 million people saw the show. Beginning November 1992, and lasting a year, Cirque du Soleil and Steve Wynn's Mirage Resorts signed an agreement that placed a White and Gold big top on the grounds of the Mirage Resort where the show was staged until November 1993.

What tale is behind Nouvelle Expérience? In a protected corner of the universe, in a kingdom all their own, exist a group of creatures called the "Flounes" or Angels (Cécile Ardail, Christophe Lelarge, Patrice Wojciechowski, David Lebel and Isabelle Chassé). The world of the "Flounes" is invaded by characters in red - the Devils - who are the spirit of disobedience. Life comes to their world and spreads like a virus, which they look upon candidly.