Clowning around at the Essar Centre (45 photos)

Formed in 1984 by two street performers - Guy Laliberte and Gilles Ste-Croix - Cirque du Soleil has since become synonymous with dazzling feats and elegance.

Wednesday night's opening performance of Dralion at the Essar Centre was no exception.

Pictured above are the show's three (slightly less elegant but equally as entertaining) clowns, portrayed by Facundo Gimenez, Hayden Spencer and Borys Borysenko.

The trio pranked between gravity-defying circus acts, offering the spectator's senses a chance to process what had just been witnessed.

Inspired by Eastern philosophy, Dralion's four central characters - earth, air, fire and water - find harmony as artists and acrobats push limits and challenge physical law with astounding results.

Dralion continues its Sault Ste. Marie schedule tonight at 7:30 p.m.

For more about the show and ticket information, please click here.

To get a look behind the scenes of Cirque du Soleil, click here.

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