The Beatles go to the circus: The Beatles musical legacy and experience to be celebrated in Show that will open in Las Vegas in 2006

NEW YORK (The Mirage/ www.multivu.com) - Cirque du Soleil, Apple Corps Ltd. and The Mirage announce a partnership in which they will celebrate the musical legacy and extraordinary experience of The Beatles in an unprecedented live theatre production opening in 2006.
This joint artistic venture marks the first time that The Beatles' company, Apple Corps, has agreed to a major theatrical partnership.
The production will be Cirque du Soleil's fifth resident show in Las Vegas and will be presented at The Mirage, the resort that changed the face of Las Vegas when it opened in 1989. The show replaces entertainment icons Siegfried & Roy.

The project was born out of a personal friendship and professional admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. "This show is about living The Beatles experience," said Guy Laliberte. "We want to bring the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion behind the most beloved rock band of all time to create a single, simple statement of delight."

Neil Aspinall, Managing Director of Apple Corps, said, "In the past The Beatles have been approached with theatrical proposals which never promised much beyond a traditional presentation. However, in Cirque du Soleil, Apple is fortunate to have found a creative partner with the same passion for innovation and excellence."

The Beatles Producer Sir George Martin, who will oversee the music element of the show, said today, "After spending more than 40 years of my life working with The Beatles and their wonderful music, I am thrilled to be working with them once again, on this exciting project with Cirque du Soleil. The show will be a unique and magical experience."

While the project has the approval of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, Paul and Ringo will not appear in the production. Additional details of the content of the show, which aims to revisit the excitement of the remarkable era when Beatlemania ignited the world, are in creative incubation.

SOUNDBITES:
* Guy Laliberte, Founder and CEO, Cirque du Soleil
* Neil Aspinall, Managing Director, Apple Corps Ltd.
* Sir George Martin, Producer of The Beatles