It has been described as the modern circus, and focuses upon a story line as well as amazing performances. It has several resident and touring troupes and draws heavily from the circus tradition. Emphasizing the use of humans as performers, Cirque du Soleil does not make use of animals. Instead, its performances combine elements of street performances and busking, circus, opera, ballet, and rock music. Acts include contortionists, jugglers, feats of strength, clowning, and trapeze artists. Their costumes are very colorful. Cirque shows traditionally do not use pre-recorded music; with some exceptions all music is played live, and in many performances the spoken parts are done in Cirquish, an imaginary language invented by the company
