Roue allemande (German Wheel)

What started as a popular gymnastics exercise in Germany has become a crowd-pleasing act for Cirque du Soleil. Six-and-a-half feet in diameter, the wheel consists of two metal hoops joined at six points. Identical twin brothers turn and spin the wheels while performing gravity-defying somersaults and acrobatics. Though both were featured in Cirque du Soleil's Nouvelle Expérience, this is the first time they are performing together as a duo.

Funambule (High Wire)

The entire act takes place on a 90-foot long high wire. With remarkable balance and precision, wirewalkers ascend to a height of 34 feet above the stage. Supported by a half-inch steel wire, they execute breathtaking maneuvers such as 360-degree spins, head balancing, and death defying somersaults. This amazing funambulist team is comprised of three Russian acrobats who are life-long students of the discipline.

Diabolos

The diabolo, or Chinese yo-yo, is a children's game first introduced into the realm of the arts in Cirque du Soleil's Quidam. This entrancing act features four 8-year-old Chinese performers. Holding two sticks linked by a string, they slide, juggle and toss a musical wooden spool while performing flips in the air. Demonstrating increasingly difficult maneuvers, the artists attempt to outdo each other in dexterity and ingenuity.

Vélos (Cycles)

This act gets rolling with a BMX wizard whose difficult maneuvers never fail to mesmerize the public. His technical twists, gymnastic turns and spins on one wheel are highlighted in incredible tricks such as G-turns, boomerangs and megaspins, all accompanied by lots of footwork. The second half of the act features yet another artist whose feats are equally astonishing. His hard-to-believe stunts include riding over obstacles without ever putting his feet down, jumping off high platforms, hopping up and down steps and into the audience on one wheel, and even jumping over an artist and a guest before literally plunging into the bowels of the stage.

Cadre aérien (Aerial Cradle)

The aerial cradle looks like a door and is a perfect example of equal-opportunity strength and agility. This amazing athletic display features elements of traditional circus aerial cradle with a unique and special difference - the male and female artists take turns supporting one another 34 feet above the stage.

Ballet air et soie (Aerial Ballet in Silk)

In a stunning display of grace and strength, the artists become one with the ribbon of red fabric that cradles them. This breathtaking aerial dance requires immense agility and flexibility, and allows the performers a wide latitude of acrobatic and artistic expression.

Equilibre sur chaises (Balancing on Chairs)

Vasily Demenchukov's famous chair act was a hit in Cirque du Soleil's Nouvelle Expérience in 1992. For 11 years now, he has defied gravity and the laws of physics while balancing precariously on a stack of eight chairs, atop a table, 25 feet in the air — all the while carrying a spinning birthday cake lit with candles. For La Nouba, Vasily's act is performed on a rising platform increasing his maximum height to 41 feet above the stage.

Grands volants (Flying Trapeze)

Four pendulum-like swings, on two different levels, carry a team of perfectly synchronized aerialists 53 feet above the stage. This innovative bi-level rigging enables the trapezists to create a visually arresting exhibition of rhythm and athleticism. Timing is key when all four trapezes are swinging in tandem and the aerialists switch places — barely inches away from colliding.

Power Track/Trampoline

This act in La Nouba takes ordinary trampoline and power track performance to a new level. The stage is set on fire in this high-energy acrobatic display of phenomenal timing and spatial awareness.