Birmingham 2022 reveals creative team to deliver opening and closing ceremonies
The creative team that will deliver the opening and closing ceremonies of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has been unveiled.
Taking place on 28 July 2022, and broadcast to 1.5 billion people around the Commonwealth, the opening ceremony will host a live audience of 30,000 at the newly redeveloped Alexander Stadium.
Some of the UK 's brightest and best creative names have been assembled to deliver the spectacle, with the team boasting a blend of global prestige and homegrown talent.
The team consists of:
Iqbal Khan - Artistic Director
A globally renowned, Birmingham born, theatre director. Most known for modern retellings of the classics and has worked in the UK and abroad on the world 's most high-profile stages.
Maeve Clarke - Writer
A published novelist and short story writer from Birmingham, Maeve 's credits include Whispers in the Walls, an anthology of new Black and Asian voices from Birmingham.
Joshua 'RTKal ' Holness - Music Director
International rapper and music maker, Joshua has used music to unite and entertain audiences across the world. In 2018 he co-created a project offering music education and recording facilities to youths and underprivileged groups in Birmingham.
Misty Buckley - Production Designer
Recently nominated for a BAFTA Award for Stormzy 's performance at Glastonbury Festival, Misty has extensive international experience of set design for large scale ceremonies and live events.
This includes Coldplay 's 2016 Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show, London 2012 Paralympic Closing Ceremony and the Rugby World Cup 2015 Opening Ceremony.
Hamish Hamilton - Broadcast Director
Hamish has directed and executive-produced countless ceremonies, award shows, concerts, and unique special events across the world. He is a twice BAFTA Award winner, plus Grammy and Emmy nominated global authority on live event broadcast.
Steven Knight CBE - Executive Producer
Creator and writer of Birmingham 's most famous export, Peaky Blinders. Steven has also written screenplays for the films Closed Circuit, Dirty Pretty Things, and Eastern Promises, and has directed and written the films Locke, and Hummingbird (also known as Redemption).
The team have been bought together by Birmingham2022 's Chief Creative Officer Martin Green CBE, who also led the Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies in London 2012.
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. ”