Northampton dance teacher chosen to take part in Olympic opening ceremony
Katie Bunting who will be one of the dancers at the Olympic opening ceremony.
A DANCE class teacher from Northampton will be watched by about one in six people on the planet in July after being selected to perform at the London Olympics opening ceremony.
Katie Bunting, aged 35, from Abington Vale, teaches dance at the Limelight studio in Dallington, as well as Northamptonshire schools.
But she recently learned from Olympics organisers that among an estimated 50,000 auditions, hers was one of those that stood out.
She has now been asked to report to a secret London location in April for a gruelling series of rehearsals that will culminate in one of the most watched television events in history.
Katie said: “I have just about retired from dancing and those auditions were my one last shot at doing something.
“To get it was just unbelievable. I’m so proud.
“The Olympics is the greatest show on earth; the biggest audiences, the most extravagant ceremony.
“My children are seven and nine. I sat them down in front of a clip of the Beijing ceremony in 2008. They were blown away but they’re still not as excited as me.”
However such secrecy surrounds the ceremony, which is being co-ordinated by Trainspotting film director Danny Boyle, that Katie is not yet sure exactly what part she will play other than as a dancer . . . and she could not tell anyone even if she did.
She said: “It’s serious stuff. The contracts with the rehearsal schedules say words to the effect of ‘a location to be confirmed’.
“They assured us all that they have plenty of reserves; if we miss a rehearsal it’s all over.”
Although performers will not know how their element will fit into the overall show until very close to the event, there are key bits that are known already because certain elements must feature in every Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Greece will lead the procession of athletes with Britain bringing up the rear and a British athlete, coach and judge will take the Olympic oath, encircled by flagbearers. After speeches, The Queen, who will be received at the stadium entrance, will declare the Games open.
And the finale will be the entrance of the Olympic flame, which the final torchbearer will use to ceremoniously light the Olympic cauldron, indicating the beginning of the Games.
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