Teenager's role in Olympic Games opening ceremony (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton teen's role in Olympic Games opening ceremony
11:40am Monday 9th July 2012 in News
OLYMPIC ROLE: Rosemary Harris.
SHE is set to step out and perform before an audience of one billion people.
Rosemary Harris is busy preparing for a performance of a lifetime after being chosen to dance in the spectacular opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in east London.
A global TV audience is set to smash all world TV viewing records as they tune in for Oscar winner Danny Boyle’s £27m Isles of Wonder extravaganza.
Rosemary, from Bitterne Park, Southampton, said: “I have performed in front of people before but not on this scale.
“When you are there rehearsing it is not too intimidating, but when it is full and there are all the other people watching, and you have just one shot at it, it is going to be nerve-racking.
“That is why we are having so many rehearsals to make sure we are all confident and happy.”
To win her place in the stellar show, which will include a performance by former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, the 19- year-old first had to impress some of the world’s most respected choreographers.
Yet Rosemary’s childhood passion for dancing and her obvious talent won her place in the show that opens with the ringing of the world’s largest harmonically-tuned bell.
She said: “It is a once-in-alifetime opportunity and I am lucky to be the right age to be doing it – I feel so excited.”
The show tells the story of Britain, evoking its green rolling fields and social history as well as shining a light on the country’s dark past.
However, Rosemary is tight-lipped about further details of the show or her part in it because she has sworn a pledge of silence and the exact details will remain a secret until the big night.
She said: “I can’t talk about it. But it looks amazing. Each time I go to an audition there’s a little bit more done and it looks fantastic.”
Rosemary, a former pupil at Bitterne Park School, is currently at Canterbury University in Kent studying medical science.
Her passion for dancing has previously seen her taking part in All-England dance festivals.
