London 2012 opening ceremony details revealed (From Daily Echo)

London 2012 opening ceremony details revealed

1:06pm Tuesday 12th June 2012 in Sport

The Olympic Stadium will be turned into a meadow complete with real animals, grass and clouds that will rain down for the opening ceremony.

Artistic director Danny Boyle said today, as he revealed a glimpse of what the world can expect from the £27m spectacular: "The opening scene of the July 27 ceremony represents a traditional and idyllic view of the British countryside.

"It is a green and pleasant land because it is something we are really proud of."

There will be families having picnics and sports being played on the village green in what London 2012 is describing as "one of the largest sets ever built".

The audience of about 62,000 in the stadium in Stratford, east London, and a billion people watching worldwide will also see farmers tilling soil while animals graze.

These include 12 horses, three cows, two goats, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, nine geese, 70 sheep and three sheep dogs.

In a nod to the big festival event that Britain is famous for, there will also be mosh pits where members of the public will be.

This is a nod to the Glastonbury festival and the Proms, Boyle said.

The 10,000 volunteers, cast and crew have been rehearsing day and night to make the opening ceremony a success.

Installation of all the equipment needed will begin in the Olympic Stadium soon.

These include 1,200 automated lamps, 1,000 conventional lamps, and 500 LED fixtures.

There will also be a million-watt sound system using more than 500 speakers and 50 tonnes of associated gear.