Adam And Miranda's Night To Remember

James Martin - Thursday 2nd August 2012


Cast members who took centre stage during last Friday's triumphant Olympic opening ceremony have spoken about the "sheer exhiliration" of performing in front of 80,000 spectators and a worldwide television audience of more than one billion.

Hendon mum-of-two Miranda Salter, 49, and Hampstead-born Adam Lucas, 29, were part of the vast drumming ensemble during the breathtaking industrial revolution scene in Danny Boyle's Olympic masterpiece.

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The pair attended around 30 rehearsals, culminating in last weekend's thrilling performance which saw them marching and drumming as England's green and pleasant countryside made way for the chimneys and factories of the industrial revolution.

Miranda, a member of Hendon United Synagogue, who is battling breast cancer, told the Jewish News she had "fulfilled a lifelong ambition". She said: "It was exhilarating to be involved in the biggest event in the world. It was particularly special because I was able to attend all the rehearsals and get through the big night despite not being entirely healthy. I didn't tell the organisers about my illness, and I was worried about having the stamina to get through the three- and-a-half hour show."

Miranda had a last-minute chat with Boyle just before the ceremony began. She said: "At 8.50pm, 10 minutes before the start, he announced to the audience that we were about to go live on television to the world. I was right next to him so I wished him good luck for the show and he wished me, 'good luck with the drumming'. And then he signed my drums which was fantastic!"

Miranda later turned her attention to stewarding some of the competitors during the athletes' parade, including Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

Adam, meanwhile, said the spectacle far exceeded expectations. "It was a brilliantly ambitious concept - displaying the England of yesterday and today through the youth of tomorrow. We performers pulled it off as planned and produced an amazing spectacle for all the world to marvel at and enjoy."

Adam was later part of the drumming group that marched behind Team GB.
The performers' work is not done yet as they are now both rehearsing for the closing ceremony on 12 August.

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