The opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has already been talked up by the organisers as potentially on a level with Danny Boyle’s London Olympics 2012 event. It's a description which certainly gets the appetite whetted for this evening.
While not quite having the same budget as Boyle could pull on for his spectacular ceremony, the Commonwealth Games creative team hope that the rich past that the city has to offer will see them shine on Thursday night. An incredible 1.5 billion eyes are expected to be on Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium come 7pm (BST) when the Games begin.
Expect wide ranging musical performances that seek to put Birmingham on the map, and dance numbers that may even rival Glasgow’s teacakes from the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Read more: Team Wales unveil bold Commonwealth Games uniforms for athletes
Who directed the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony?
The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has been put together by a team of creatives. Two of the more senior members in charge of the opening ceremony are:
Iqbal Khan: Artistic Director
The Games' artistic director, Iqbal Khan, has spoken up the opening ceremony in Birmingham, saying it will be on par with Danny Boyle’s famous opening event for London 2012. He’s said to expect memorable moments from throughout the three-and-a-half-hour event, comparing the ceremony with a concept album that is littered with meaning and subversive humour.
Steven Knight CBE: Executive Producer
Creator of one of Birmingham’s most famous exports in Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight has been tasked with making an opening ceremony that will wow the expected 1.5 billion global audience. However, Knight has been coy about whether his famous Peaky Blinders will make an appearance during the event, saying: “I can't tell you. But there are two shows - the opening and the closing [ceremonies]. So over those two, you'll see."
The creative team behind the event also includes writer Maeve Clarke, music director Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness, production designer Misty Buckley and broadcast director Hamish Hamilton.
Who’s performing at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony?
The headline grabbing performers for the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games have to be Duran Duran, but the performance on Thursday night will also include contributions from former Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, as well as saxophonist Soweto Kinch and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Drag artist Ginny Lemon will also appear on a massive lemon shaped hot air balloon, and there will be a ballet act from Birmingham Royal Ballet, Elmhurst Ballet School and dance company Critical Mass.
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- How Cardiff looked when it hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1958
