Creator of the spectacular

Joy, jubilation, satisfaction, pleasure or happiness. Whether it's from Italian, Spanish or Latin, however you translate the word Alegría it has a tendency to leave a smile on your face.

Of course it goes without saying the same can be said for Cirque du Soleil's show of the same name.

But more unusually, a smile is just the start of what you'll get after just a moment with the show's original creator, Franco Dragone.

Think Cirque du Soleil and your imagination conjures up images of acrobats and artists in dazzling costumes and impressive make-up performing death-defying stunts inside a giant blue and yellow big top - or the Grand Chapiteau as the up-market circus likes to call it.

But somehow, even without the glitz, glamour and adrenaline, Dragone, described in the business as the world's most spectacular show maker, has an almost unsettling ability to set your imagination running wild without you even trying.

Dragone speaks in soft tones. There are no over-exaggerated hand gestures, shouts, screams or clever gimmicks - just him, his "always-on" imagination and a passion for art, creation and making people smile.

"I have always wanted more," he said leaning forward from the edge of his armchair. "I loved the theatre. It was like we were creating a universal language which everyone could tap into.

"But I needed more." He tensed as he tried to explain his meaning. "I wanted to know how I could talk to the audience without using words. I wanted a way to speak to people and get their imaginations switched on with visual stimulants."

Pretty safe to say he made it. And the result is Cirque du Soleil's Alegría.

More than 50 million people the world over have seen a Dragone show and it's hardly surprising the numbers are increasing on a daily basis with endless options and shows which have been touring for more than 15 years.

Despite being the creator of the New Day Show - Celine Dion's Las Vegas extratraganza - Dragone plays down his popularity with the perfect amount of modesty.

"I love to create shows which blow people away by making them think for themselves. But it's not about me," he said. "Celine Dion was a dream to work with and we had fun along the way."

Created from scratch, a task which involved designing the stage, lighting structures, costumes and script, the New Day Show played every night for five years in Las Vegas, to rave reviews.

Just as he has captured the hearts of millions, Dragone also impressed hotelier Steve Wynn, who commissioned him to create La Reve - an aquatic show which opened in 2005 and is still playing today.

Born in Cairano, Italy, in 1952, Dragone worked with the famous Cirque du Soleil for more than 12 years and now runs his own entertainment company from his home town of La Louviere, Belgium, where he moved with his parents aged seven.

In 1982, a Dragone production caught the eye of Guy Laliberté, a critic who had just founded the Cirque du Soleil and for the next 12 years the pair worked together to produce 10 shows bearing the Dragone name, including Cirque du Soleil (1985), Le Cirque Réinventé (The Circus Reinvented) 1987, La Magie Continue (Magic Continues) 1989, Nouvelle Expérience (New Experience) 1990, Saltimbanco (1992), Mystere (Mystery) 1993, Alegría (1994), Quidam (1996), O (1998) and La Nouba (1999).

According to Dragone, there couldn't be a better time for Dubai to stage Alegría, which will show at the Ibn Battuta Mall until April 5.

"Alegría means happiness, joy and merry," he said smiling. "[When it was created,] the world was going through a tough time, a bit like now I guess, and I simply wanted to invite people to lose themselves for a few hours in a show which would hopefully bring only smiles in troubling times.

"I hope it helps people through these times of financial crisis too. It is Alegría," he said raising his voice and glass to the air and puffing out his chest.

"Compared to what we are seeing and reading in the news everyday the depression, the recession, the doom and gloom it is meant to scream against all that and provide an outlet for optimism."

Winner of three Obie awards, a Los Angeles Critics Award, the Medal of the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de Québec, the highest distinction awarded by the Government of Québec, Dragone is showing no sign of giving up just yet.

So, after 15 years on the road, and still sharing a special relationship with a company he calls his family, will Dragone take a walk into the Cirque du Soleil's Grand Chapiteau?

"I don't think so," he said laughing. "It is very hard to watch a show I created so long ago. I know I made a few mistakes, which I acknowledge and accept as I believe you can only improve by doing this. I find it hard to watch the show now, as sometimes it's lost some of the original passion it once had. The artists are more talented, the costumes are better, the make-up, lighting and sound may be more impressive, but the people don't have the story in their hearts in quite the same way.

"Or maybe the dreams of the new cast are just slightly different."

What is ALEGRIA?

Featuring all the classic elements of Cirque du Soleil, Alegría transports us to a time when fantasy was a part of everyday life: A time of kings, queens, magicians and fools. These are the days of the travelling family, criss-crossing Old Europe in caravans and playing to a never-ending succession of villages and hamlets.

So while watching Alegría, you may feel that you are dreaming. No, this is the world of Cirque du Soleil where for a couple of hours at least, nothing, and everything, is real. "Alegría started to appear in my mind when my wife was pregnant with my son," smiles The creator Franco Dragone. "I wanted it to caress the soul and explore the minds of little ones and how they see things.

They are coming into a world and I wanted to try and see what they must see when they first arrive. It captures guardian angels, people who take care of you, being in the arms of a mother, children's voices. All these things inspired the story and colour."

Don't miss it!

Alegría will run until Sunday April 5 and performance times are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30pm; Friday and Sunday at 4.30pm and 8.30pm and Saturday at 1pm and 5pm. Tickets, priced Dh180-425 for children (2-12 yrs), Dh240-550 for adults (13 years +) and from Dh800-1,000 for VIP, are available online at cirquedusoleil.ae, by calling 800 CIRQUE (800 247783) or at Dnata Travel outlets.