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What You Need to Know About the Olympic Opening Ceremony

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Photo: London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (L.O.C.O.G.)

[This post has been edited to reflect the most up-to-date information available.]

With the start of the 2012 London Olympic Games, several news outlets are reporting on the details behind the opening ceremony, dubbed the "Isles of Wonder," including the set design, musical performances, and the estimated 20,000-volunteer cast. Here's a look at what to expect at this year's show:

OLYMPIC LEAK: Despite pleas from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to keep details of the ceremony under wraps—it even launched a hashtag, #savethesurprise—footage from the Olympic opening ceremony still leaked, but was quickly removed from YouTube. Social Times: "During the rehearsal the show’s artistic director, Danny Boyle, appealed to spectators to 'save the surprise' and not to share footage of the rehearsal before the event, but that didn’t stop some spectators from uploading videos of the rehearsal to YouTube." http://bit.ly/Px2hNR

THE FLAME: David Beckham won't be playing on Britain's Olympic soccer team, but he could light the torch. Washington Post: "Beckham's odds of lighting the flame are now 5 to 1, but he's still not the favorite: Rower Steve Redgrave and Roger Bannister, the first four-minute miler, are leading the betting." http://wapo.st/NWj90s

The Daily Star reports that the soccer star may also perform some of his famous tricks with a flaming football. http://bit.ly/LV11js

THE INSPIRATION: L.A. Times: "Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle said that William Shakespeare's play The Tempest served as an inspiration for his recently revealed designs for the opening ceremony. The live extravaganza, which will be broadcast on television July 27, comes with an estimated price tag of $42 million." http://lat.ms/MG5mL0

THE DESIGN: Here's a glimpse at what the stadium will look like during the three-hour show, along with some logistics, which include 15,000 square meters of staging, 12,956 props, and 24,570 costume buttons for one of the opening sequences: http://bit.ly/M7Mcfw

THE EQUIPMENT: According to an official press release, the ceremony will open with the ringing of the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world, which measures two meters tall by three meters wide and weighs 23 metric tons. Inside the stadium, lighting installations include 1,100 automated lamps, 1,000 conventional lamps, 500 LED fixtures, and 32 spotlights. A million-watt sound system, with more than 500 speakers and 50 metric tons of associated sound gear, will be utilized. http://l2012.cm/NLnTCC

THE OLYMPIC PLAYLIST: ABC News: Details of the ceremony's 86-song playlist were allegedly leaked in mid-June. The event will include tunes like "Paper Planes," by M.I.A., and the punk classic "God Save the Queen," by the Sex Pistols. http://abcn.ws/L81qo5

THE CAST: Boyle will orchestrate a cast of thousands of people and live animals, including 12 horses, 10 chickens, nine geese, and 70 sheep. Also part of the show will be a parade of nurses, doctors, and health workers to celebrate the National Health Service. In addition, Boyle promises British humor, weather—artificial clouds will supply "rain" to ensure an authentic British atmosphere—and Shakespearean references. Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/MvtkcG

After several animal welfare groups expressed their concerns, Boyle sent a letter to PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk outlining the plans to use live animals. He promises they will only be featured in the beginning of the show and leave the stadium shortly after the 9 p.m. start prior to any large effects or loud performances. The Guardian: http://bit.ly/LUILXI

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES: As the opening ceremony takes place at Olympic Stadium, Duran Duran will headline a concert to kick off the games in London's Hyde Park. The event, which will give the public a chance to watch the show on giant screens, will include acts from each of the four parts of the United Kingdom: Duran Duran from England, Snow Patrol from Northern Ireland, Stereophonics from Wales, and Paolo Nutini from Scotland. Billboard: http://bit.ly/LW2wQ7

According to The Sunday Times, the famous fictional character of Mary Poppins and Lord Voldemort (from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series) are rumored to be attending the ceremony, fighting against each other in an intense battle scene. "A 40-foot Voldemort rises out of a bed in the center of Olympic Stadium and scares away representations of Alice from Alice in Wonderland, Captain Hook and Cruella de Vil...About 30 actors each depicting Mary Poppins will descend from the roof of the stadium on wires and 'float' to the ground with their opened umbrellas." http://thetim.es/PFuKBg

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