Set in the venue for the "race that stops the nation", the world's biggest circus show has pitched its tent in Victoria for a two-month run.
Cirque du Soleil's latest production Kurios opens on Thursday at Flemington Racecourse in a blue-and-white tent that fits about 2600 people.
Kurios is a tale where "time comes to a complete stop" according to Cirque du Soleil, including acrobats, dancers, contortionists, clowns and a live band.
The Melbourne performances run until May 10, following show runs in Sydney and Brisbane. It then moves to Adelaide and Perth to complete a full-year tour of Australia.
The production is Cirque du Soleil's 35th since 1984, and employs around 120 people full-time and more than one hundred casual staff in each city.
Director Rachel Lancaster said the performers and crew were excited to return to Melbourne because many of them are based in the city.
"Kurios is an open, warm and inviting show to watch. The show transcends specific cultures," director Ms Lancaster told AAP.
"I'm very excited to be back in Melbourne. Many Cirque du Soleil colleagues are based here and I think people in Melbourne will really enjoy the show."
Among the Kurios coast is Australian Rima Hadchiti, who is one of the 10 smallest people in the world at 3.3 feet (one metre) tall.
Ms Hadchiti is one of 47 Kurios artists from 17 countries, and one of 13 Australian staff of the show that has toured around 60 countries.
Kurious senior publicist Jeff Lovari says the show follows all government coronavirus protocols to ensure audience and staff members are protected.
Australian Associated Press
