Following on a report that popular circus dance troupe Cirque du Soleil could become a regular fixture here once the under-construction Mall of Qatar opens in 2015, the Canadian company has said no such deal has been made.

Speaking to Doha News, a spokeswoman for Cirque du Soleil said that the troupe “will not perform in this mall.”

Shem Krey, the deputy managing director of the $824 million new mega mall, which will be located in Al Rayyan, was quoted today by Arabian Business saying that a deal has been signed with the producers of the group, in part to help Qatar rival Dubai as a shopping destination:

“Instead of building a large aquarium or a large fountain or a very large wow factor within the forum, which is about half the size of a football pitch, were going to have actual stage productions.

There’s a complete family entertainment plan and complete family adaptation so that the mall isn’t just for the shopping that you wish to do, but that there’s also an attempt to entertain everyone within the family.”

The troupe has been to Qatar twice, performing Dralion last month and Saltimbanco last year.

The Mall of Qatar, which falls under UrbaCon General Contracting, was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier this month, Krey asserted that Qatar’s existing malls were “looking a bit tired” and that residents have been searching for the stimulation a new, larger shopping center could provide.

Thoughts?