Dion signs up for Las Vegas spectacular

Singer Celine Dion is to follow in the footsteps of Elvis and Frank Sinatra with an extended engagement in Las Vegas, it was reported today.

The Canadian artist will take to the stage in the gambling mecca in 2003, performing a minimum of 200 shows each year for three years.

A specially built theatre, designed to resemble the Colosseum in ancient Rome, is being built at a cost of £45.5m just for the shows, the Daily Variety newspaper reported.

It will be part of the famous Caesars Palace complex of casinos and entertainment facilities which dominates the city’s famous strip.

The company behind the deal, Concerts West, did not reveal how much Dion, who recently became a mother for the first time, would be paid for the performances.

‘‘It’s hard to imagine who else could even do this,’’ said Concerts West chief executive John Meglen.

‘‘This will end up being the ultimate performance.’’

Dion, 32, has already been a regular at Caesars Palace, with a series of one-off concerts at the venue since 1994.

The deal puts her in the same category as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Liberace, all of whom had long-running shows in Las Vegas.

Dion took a break from showbusiness earlier this year when her son Rene-Charles was born.

‘‘I have become a housewife. There is no better job,’’ the 125-million album-selling singer told Hello! magazine.