Naomi Giffen flies at the Olympics!

This summer I took part in one of the biggest shows our nation has ever produced. Starting with an audition in London to be an aerialist in one of the ceremonies, with hundreds of applicants and some of the best aerialists in the country, I was not expecting to get in! However, in April I received the call offering me a job performing as one of the 32 Mary Poppins in the opening ceremony. Rehearsals began at the end of May and by Mid June we were full time: starting off at the outside space in Dagenham and at 3 Mill studios, London until the stadium was ready.

Watching the show come together piece by piece was so exciting – the giant props, hundreds of volunteers moving in amazing unison. Our rehearsals began with height training, starting at 10m then eventually going up to the roof at over 40metres! Finally performance week was here; every show, we started on the roof and had an incredible view of the green and pleasant land and industrial revolution. Then the time came for us to be floated into the air, watching as the nurses moved below forming shapes with the bed, then as Voldermort raised up into the air we started our flight over the roof and over the audience. When we finally came into the lights and the music hit its cue, we opened our bags and brollies to reveal who we were. After being unclipped and dancing across the stage, we were careful not to hit the cameramen with our brollies and bags!

From beginning to end it was a magical experience: Working with amazing choreographers, dedicated volunteers, performing to 60,000 then 80,000 people and the world watching on TV! It was a huge honour and I feel privileged, to have been a part of the opening ceremony doing what I love most.