Elvis extravaganza to go on tour

Elvis Presley's career spanned the 50s, 60s and 70s

A show based on the life of Elvis Presley is to be produced by renowned theatre company Cirque du Soleil.

The company will also help design "interactive, multimedia museums," said a spokesman for CKX, the firm which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises.

The shows, which will feature the music of the legendary singer, are expected to tour Europe and Asia in 2008.

The museums will be called Elvis Experiences, but it is not yet known where they will be based.

Revival

"This arrangement will allow fans around the globe, who have only seen Elvis Presley in movies or listened to his music, to truly experience what it was like to see Elvis perform," said CKX boss Robert FX Sillerman.

Cirque du Soleil will also produce shows in fixed locations yet to be announced, although CFX said shows in Las Vegas were not part of its plans.

At least one of the Elvis Experiences will open outside the US by 2008.

Cirque du Soleil, which was set up in 1984, will stage 13 shows this year, including one due to open in Las Vegas next month based on the music of the Beatles.