Opening Ceremony opens Olympics with a bang

The London 2012 Olympic Games were officially opened on Friday night with a spectacular Opening Ceremony.

The theme ‘this is for everyone’ celebrated contributions the UK has made to the world through innovation and revolution, as well as the creativity and exuberance of British people.

Danny Boyle, Artistic Director of the show, said: 'Our show was really the volunteer’s show. If you want to judge us as an island, these people are the best of us, and we hope the feeling of the show was a celebration of their generosity.’

More than 7,500 volunteer performers took part in the show - attending a total of 248 rehearsals for a whopping 150 hours each. The children volunteers were drawn from 25 schools in the six east London Host Boroughs and the 170 16-18 year olds, from six colleges in the Host Boroughs.

A well as a record number of volunteers, the ceremony used innovative pixel technology to create a light show within the stadium audience, aerial choreography and 12,956 props - over 100 times more than a West End musical.

Highlights included a celebration of the NHS, scenes of the British countryside involving real rain clouds, and a giant floating Lord Voldermort.

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by seven young torchbearers who were nominated by Britain’s past and present Olympic and sporting greats. The cauldron itself was formed by more than 200 copper petals - representing the competing nations coming together in London for the Games.

LOCOG Chair, Seb Coe said: ‘The athletes competing at the Olympic Games have arrived in London to give the performances of their lives. We wanted to provide a very British welcome for them and the rest of the world. Danny Boyle has created a show of memories and moments that will last a lifetime for people across the UK and the world.’

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