Pandemonium (21:09–21:25) 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony

scene representing industrial britain. rehearsal 23 july 2012 before ceremony 4 days later.

proceedings interrupted loud shout, recorded volunteers during rehearsals, followed drumming (the pre-recorded drumming amplified 965 cast members drumming on inverted household buckets , bins), led evelyn glennie. three-tonne oak tree on top of glastonbury tor lifted, , industrial workers emerged both tor s brightly lit interior , entrances stadium, swell cast total of 2,500 volunteers. began boyle had called biggest scene change in theatre history , had been advised against attempting. underworld s , kiss began play, cast rolled away grass , other rural props. 7 smoking chimney stacks accompanying steeplejacks rose ground, along other industrial machinery: 5 beam engines, 6 looms, crucible , water wheel (one of few items left rural scene). boyle said section celebrated tremendous potential afforded advancements of victorian era. included minute s silence in remembrance of loss of life of both world wars, featuring british tommies , shots of poppies, during names of accrington pals shown on stadium screens. unprompted, members of audience stood in respect during segment.

volunteers paraded around stadium representing of groups had changed face of britain: woman s suffrage movement, jarrow crusade, first caribbean immigrants arriving in 1948 on board empire windrush, 1970s dj float, nostalgia steel band, , beatles appeared on cover of sgt. pepper s lonely hearts club band. included real-life chelsea pensioners, grimethorpe colliery band, , group of pearly kings , queens.

the olympic rings

workers began casting iron ring. noise level , tension built, driven relentless rhythm of music , drumming, participants mimed repetitive mechanical movements associated industrial processes such weaving. 4 glowing orange rings gradually began carried high above stadium toward centre on overhead wires, , ring seemingly being cast , forged in arena began lift. 5 rings converged, still glowing , accompanied steam , firework effects give impression of hot metal. when 5 rings formed olympic symbol above stadium, ignited , rained fire in silver , gold. image of olympic rings in flame became iconic image of ceremony, reproduced in newspapers , web stories around world.