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| London 2012: Isles of Wonder is Olympic ceremony theme | London 2012: Isles of Wonder is Olympic ceremony theme |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| London 2012's opening ceremony is to be called Isles of Wonder, organisers have revealed six months ahead of the Games. | London 2012's opening ceremony is to be called Isles of Wonder, organisers have revealed six months ahead of the Games. |
| The ceremony's artistic director, Danny Boyle, revealed the name at a press briefing alongside creative director Stephen Daldry. | The ceremony's artistic director, Danny Boyle, revealed the name at a press briefing alongside creative director Stephen Daldry. |
| Boyle said it would be about a land that has been poisoned by industrial legacy and the recovery of that land. | Boyle said it would be about a land that has been poisoned by industrial legacy and the recovery of that land. |
| It is anticipated the opening ceremony on 27 July will be watched by one billion TV viewers. | It is anticipated the opening ceremony on 27 July will be watched by one billion TV viewers. |
| Boyle, who is best known for directing Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting, said: "we'll be celebrating the whole of the country... there are so many 'Isles of Wonder'". | |
| And he said they had commissioned the biggest ringing bell in Europe which would hang at one end of stadium and ring at opening of Games. | |
| It will be inscribed with a quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest: "Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises". | It will be inscribed with a quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest: "Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises". |
| Boyle said he wanted people to hear it "for hundreds of years". | Boyle said he wanted people to hear it "for hundreds of years". |
| The evening's 50-minute pre-show will begin at 12 minutes past eight - 20:12 BST - before the main event kicks off at 21:00 BST when the bell rings. | |
| It has been revealed that 900 youngsters from the six host boroughs will be given roles in the opening and closing ceremonies. | It has been revealed that 900 youngsters from the six host boroughs will be given roles in the opening and closing ceremonies. |
| A total of 1,650 children from 18 primary and seven secondary schools in east London have been auditioning for the roles in recent weeks. | A total of 1,650 children from 18 primary and seven secondary schools in east London have been auditioning for the roles in recent weeks. |
| He also revealed that NHS nurses would be showcased in the opening ceremony sequence because, he said, it is one of things that is "unique about us... along with our sense of humour". | He also revealed that NHS nurses would be showcased in the opening ceremony sequence because, he said, it is one of things that is "unique about us... along with our sense of humour". |
| 'Fabulous opportunity' | 'Fabulous opportunity' |
| Talking about all four Olympic ceremonies Daldry said they were the "greatest shows on earth and the task was enormous." | Talking about all four Olympic ceremonies Daldry said they were the "greatest shows on earth and the task was enormous." |
| He said they represent one journey to the end looking at who we are, who we were and who we would wish to be. | He said they represent one journey to the end looking at who we are, who we were and who we would wish to be. |
| All four ceremonies are expected to be watched by four billion people and advertising experts estimate this is worth up to £5bn in airtime exposure. | All four ceremonies are expected to be watched by four billion people and advertising experts estimate this is worth up to £5bn in airtime exposure. |
| More detailed information will be released about the artists in April and the content of opening ceremony in June, he added. | More detailed information will be released about the artists in April and the content of opening ceremony in June, he added. |
| For the opening ceremony Boyle will again be collaborating with electronic musical duo Underworld whose 'Born Slippy' featured in Trainspotting. | For the opening ceremony Boyle will again be collaborating with electronic musical duo Underworld whose 'Born Slippy' featured in Trainspotting. |
| The pair have been named musical directors of the three-hour ceremony. | The pair have been named musical directors of the three-hour ceremony. |
| Some 20,000 performers are being sought for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. | Some 20,000 performers are being sought for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. |
| They will be drawn from members of the public and more than 10,000 have already been auditioned. | They will be drawn from members of the public and more than 10,000 have already been auditioned. |
| Michelle from Essex said: "I am one of the performers in the opening ceremony and really excited about it. Looking forward to rehearsals starting. Can't tell you what we're doing though - I love surprises, don't you?" | |
| Speaking earlier on Friday about the challenges that lay ahead in the next six months, London 2012 Chairman Seb Coe said it was a fabulous opportunity but a "heavy weight of responsibility". | Speaking earlier on Friday about the challenges that lay ahead in the next six months, London 2012 Chairman Seb Coe said it was a fabulous opportunity but a "heavy weight of responsibility". |
| Locog chief executive Paul Deighton said it would be all about attention to detail as well as building the excitement and helping people to be a part of what will be "the greatest thing this city has seen in their lifetimes". | Locog chief executive Paul Deighton said it would be all about attention to detail as well as building the excitement and helping people to be a part of what will be "the greatest thing this city has seen in their lifetimes". |
| A ceremony was also being held marking the handover of the Athletes' Village, on the Olympic Park in Stratford, from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to Locog. | A ceremony was also being held marking the handover of the Athletes' Village, on the Olympic Park in Stratford, from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to Locog. |
| The 2,818 flats will now be fitted out to cater for 16,000 athletes and officials from 200 countries. | The 2,818 flats will now be fitted out to cater for 16,000 athletes and officials from 200 countries. |