Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight has been named as executive producer for the Birmingham 2022 opening and closing ceremonies.
The star-studded cast of talent lending their expertise to the ceremonies also includes Birmingham-born theatre director Iqbal Khan, who will take the role of artistic director.
Other talent includes Hamish Hamilton, who will take the role of broadcast director. His resume includes directing the half-time Super Bowl shows over the last 10 years.
Rapper Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness has been recruited as music director, while Misty Buckley, more recently known for her BAFTA Award nominee for her work involving Stormzy’s performance at the Glastonbury festival, will be set director.
The opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022 is expected to attract 30,000 visitors to Alexander Stadium on July 28 and will feature a cast of over 1,200 participants.
Recruiting the talent for the opening ceremonies is Birmingham 2022 chief creative officer Martin Green.
He said: “As a showcase of creativity and innovation, a successful opening ceremony will be remembered by athletes, spectators, and broadcast audiences alike for many years to come. It is a defining moment for Birmingham, the West Midlands, and the UK as we welcome the Commonwealth and set the stage for the Games ahead.
“As we create these Ceremonies, it is our intention to utilise the new range of tools at our disposal. From CGI to special effects, the UK is a world leader in cutting-edge broadcast technology. The core creative team assembled to imagine the Opening Ceremony is drawn from a diverse range of disciplines, from theatre to literature, TV to stage production; we have had access to the very best UK and West Midlands talent to create this.
“This talent and these tools are nothing without a story, and this city and region are full of rich and diverse narratives to share with the world. Ten years, almost to the day, since London 2012’s opening ceremony, these Games in Birmingham present a unique opportunity to create a global advert at a moment of renewal as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic.”