The Commonwealth Games is about to kick off - and it will be opened in style with a ceremony directed by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Athletes representing all 72 Commonwealth Games Federations are expected to march in the opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022 at the newly-refurbished Alexander Stadium tonight (Thursday, July 28). Some 30,000 people - and not forgetting a global television and online audience - will witness Brummie artists Duran Duran and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, among others, open the ceremony.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the event, Mr Knight said the event 'tells a real story,' adding: "It’s got real emotion, it’s got real heart." Theatre producer Iqbal Khan, who is artistic director of the opening ceremony, said the performance would also address the “problematic history” of the Commonwealth.
