Guest Author - Chris Curtis

The Beatle's Apple Corps Ltd., Cirque du Soleil and the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas have struck a deal to produce a unique interpretation of the music we all cherish. Scheduled for an April 2006 opening, the Cirque du Soleil will perform the Beatles music at a new 2,000-seat theatre to be built at The Mirage. It is the first major theatrical performance of the Beatle's music ever allowed. The project was envisioned by George Harrison before his death arising from his friendship with Cirque du Soleil's founder Guy Laliberte. The joint venture has been formed with the complete cooperation of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as George's widow Olivia and John's widow, Yoko Ono.

According to Gilles St-Croix, the Cirque du Soleil vice president of creation in charge of the production, the show will feature characters from the Beatles songs like "Eleanor Rigby, "Nowhere Man" and "I am the Walrus". The show is expected to cost $30million to produce.

The new show will be the 5th resident Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. It will replace the MGM Mirage's Siegfried & Roy show shut down a year ago after animal trainer Roy Horn was severely injured by a tiger.

Look here to see the announcement trailer narrated by George Martin, the Beatles long term friend and manager.