The 2012 Olympic Games came to an exhilarating close last night in an elaborate ceremony that saw theatre take centre stage with Stomp opening proceedings on the vast newspaper wrapped set.
Alongside the hundreds of triumphant athletes, world famous musicians, including The Who, George Michael and Take That, and British fashion icons, London’s incredible theatre scene was celebrated in a series of stunning performances from a variety of stars and shows.
The always energetic Stomp crew swapped its usual stage at the Ambassadors theatre for the huge Olympic Stadium, climbing across the iconic London landmarks set and performing its unique style of percussion – bin lids included – in the frame of the London Eye atop Damien Hirst’s stylish Union Jack stage design. One of Britain’s leading actors, Timothy Spall, joined in the action as Winston Churchill, popping out of the top of Big Ben to deliver a monologue by the greatest of British playwrights, William Shakespeare.
Spice Girls sung together for the first time since 2007 in a fittingly colourful, extravagant performance, with the memory of their recent theatrical reunion to announce forthcoming musical Viva Forever! fresh in fans’ minds. Set to open this December, the Judy Craymer-produced musical will feature songs by the feisty girl band, although whether last night’s song choices of Wannabee and Spice Up Your Life will feature in the new production is yet to be confirmed.
The world famous pop band’s much-anticipated performance was not the only point in the show when songs heard nightly in the West End featured. Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor thrilled crowds with their renditions of one of the legendary band’s favourite hits and title song for their Olivier Award-winning long running musical, We Will Rock You, which they created in collaboration with writer Ben Elton. Anyone sad to say goodbye to the Olympic Games would also have been cheered by Monty Python writer Eric Idle’s comedic performance of Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, which theatregoers can enjoy live on stage in the Python-inspired musical comedy Spamalot at the Harold Pinter theatre this summer.
London is also home to some of the most prestigious dance venues in the world and the closing ceremony showcased Britain’s talents with legendary ballerina Darcey Bussell coming out of retirement to join Royal Ballet dancers, including this year’s Olivier Award-winner Edward Watson, in a Christopher Wheeldon-choreographed piece inspired by the Olympic flame.
Watched by an estimated 26 million people, the creative team behind the Closing Ceremony also boasted theatrical roots with director Kim Gavin a former Royal Ballet School dancer and director and choreographer of musicals Oh! What A Night and Love Shack. The set was designed by Es Devlin, who has worked extensively in theatres including the Old Vic, Royal Court, Sadler’s Wells and the National Theatre, and the ceremony was overseen by Stephen Daldry, a former Artistic Director of the Royal Court and director of world renowned West End productions An Inspector Calls and Billy Elliot The Musical.
While the Olympic Games may have drawn to a close, it’s less than two weeks until the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, and with a creative team including theatre company Graeae’s Artistic Director Jenny Sealey and renowned designer Jon Bausor, no doubt London will once again show the world the theatrical genius they can expect from the theatre capital of the world.