The opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics will feature a huge meadow with cows, horses, goats and chickens to conjure up a picture of Britain’s “green and pleasant land,” artistic director Danny Boyle said Tuesday.
Unveiling his plan for what he called a warm and all-inclusive ceremony, the award-winning director of Slumdog Millionaire said he wanted people to “wander around the meadow” and present a show on July 27 as it would be seen “through the eyes of the spectator.” “It’s about where we come from, where we are, and where we are going,” said Boyle Tuesday about his project, entitled 'Green and Pleasant'.
The opening view of the ceremony, estimated to cost $41 million, would represent 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 would be families having picnics and sports being played on the village green in what organizers described 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, would 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.
There would be “nods” to Britain’s great festival events, from the pop festival of Glastonbury to the classical annual Promenade concerts (Proms).
