Cirque Inks 3-Year TV Deal in the UK

Cirque de Soleil rolls up for three-year TV deal and Nickelodeon commission new comedy
By: Liz Thomas – The Stage UK
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Circus show Cirque du Soleil is set to be revamped for UK television, after signing a three-year deal with Initial, a subsidiary of independent production giant Endemol, which makes Big Brother.

The Canadian performance group will work with the television producer on a series of 60-minute programmes expected to be filmed at the O2 Arena, previously known as the Millenium Dome, and broadcast in 2007 and 2008.

Cirque du Soleil will lead all creative content aspects of the stage shows but Initial will develop the television production side. The company is pitching to UK broadcasters.

Andy Ward, director of special projects at the indie, said: “Cirque du Soleil are the most exciting, visual and popular artists in the world and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them to translate their spirit to television.”