The Isles of Wonder

It has been announced that the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics, on 27th July, will be called "Isles of Wonder".

The ceremony's artistic director, Danny Boyle, said it would be about a land that has been poisoned by industrial legacy and the recovery of that land.

I find the theme to be somewhat limited:

- Did these islands not have a history before industrialisation?

- Not all of the British Isles were "poisoned" by industrialisation.

Apparently the largest ringing bell in Europe, which will hang at one end of the stadium, will sound at the opening of the Games.

It will be inscribed with a quote by Caliban from Shakespeare's The Tempest:

"Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises".

Caliban is forced into servitude on an island ruled by Prospero, because Caliban attempted to rape Propsero's daughter.

The pre opening ceremony will start at 20:12 BST, and last until 21:00 when the bell tolls.

Approximately 20,000 performers will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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