Presented by iShares, the new show, whose name will be announced in the coming weeks, will be written and directed by acclaimed film and theatre director François Girard ("The Red Violin," "Silk"). Created especially for the landmark theatre, previews will begin for the new production in June 2011, with the opening night date to be announced.

According to Cirque notes, "The new show takes place in an abandoned theatre and follows a magician who has lost his love and with her, his magic has disappeared. As he cries and begs the Gods for her return he is plunged into a world inhabited by surreal creatures. The diverse cast of 71 international artists transports the audience into a fantastical and suspenseful world, blurring the boundaries between the real and imaginary."

The creative team, consisting of 12 creators under the artistic guidance of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté, will include Line Tremblay (director of creation), Stéphane Roy (set and props designer), Alan Hranitelj (costume designer), Nick Littlemore (composer and musical director), Debra Brown (choreographer), Elena Kolyadenko (choreographer), Alain Lortie (lighting designer), Raymond St-Jean (image content director), Steven Dubuc (sound designer), Florence Pot (acrobatic performance designer), Danny Zen (rigging and acrobatic equipment designer) and Eleni Uranis (makeup designer).

Composer Littlemore is an Australian musician and producer, known as frontman of acclaimed electronic act Pnau (with Peter Mayes) and one part of electro pop-duo Empire of the Sun (with Luke Steele). He is also a member of art-rock band Teenager (with Pip Brown a.k.a Ladyhawke). As a producer he has worked with Sir Elton John, Groove Armada, Ellie Goulding, Robbie Williams, Flora Purim and many others. This new production will be his first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. According to Cirque, "Sir Elton John will be guiding his protégé Nick Littlemore through the creative process of this new production."

* From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization with 5,000 employees, including more than 1,200 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.