The themes for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Nottingham 2015 CPISRA World Games have been announced as ‘Aspirations’ and ‘Transformations’. Nottingham arts organisations City Arts and Dance4 have been commissioned by the local organising committee Cerebral Palsy Sport to produce ceremonies for the Games.
Directed by acclaimed actor/director Jamie Beddard, who has cerebral palsy, the opening ceremony will be themed around ‘Aspirations’. It will focus on the athletes’ hopes for the competition, their expectations for the Games and the hard work they have invested into training for the event. Jamie Beddard directed the show, Breathe, at the centrepiece of the opening of the 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition.
Carnival Queens from East Midlands’ carnival troupes will lead the procession of competitors from around the world. Dance4 is working with professional dancer Adele Wragg to produce a specially choreographed dance piece for the event. They are currently recruiting for Nottingham locals to take part in the performance. City Arts are working with Nottingham school pupils and community groups to produce designs for 36 silk disks that will become part of the choreography. Extraordinary Bodies, a professional circus company made up of disabled and non-disabled performers, will add to the spectacle, showcasing a range of circus skills.
The closing ceremony will focus on ‘Transformations’: the athletes’ experience of the games, the new friendships they have developed and their sporting achievements. Over the course of the games, video artist Barret Hodgson will capture key moments and experiences to produce a short film celebrating the athletes’ journeys.
Composer Damian Coldwell has been commissioned to produce an original soundscape for both the ceremonies. Damian Colwell has produced soundtracks for TV, DVD, film and radio, including the Michael McIntyre’s ‘Hello Wembley’ tour DVD. For the opening ceremony he will be joined by County Youth Arts’ iPad Orchestra, a group of young wheelchair users who write, produce and perform music using the Apple tablets.
Alison Denholm, Creative Programmes Officer at City Arts, is co-ordinating the ceremonies programme: “The theme ‘Aspirations and Transformation’ beautifully sums up what the CPISRA World Games are all about. We are delighted that so many Nottingham people, of all abilities, will be able to get involved in the games through the ceremonies programme.”
The Nottingham 2015 CPISRA World Games will bring together nations from around the world to compete in sports such as athletics, bowls, swimming, football and table cricket. CPISRA is committed to enhancing the opportunities for people who have cerebral palsy or a related neurological condition to access sport and to participate in the particular sport or leisure activity of their choosing.
Alison Talbot, World Games Event Director said:“For the athletes taking part, the CPISRA World Games will likely be their first opportunity to compete at a national level – it will be quite an experience for these young athletes. We feel the theme really captures the essence of this and we can’t wait to see how the hopes and experiences of all those involved are brought to life during the ceremonies.”
The opening ceremony for the international sporting event will take place at Harvey Hadden Sports Complex on the 9th August and the closing ceremony on the 15th August.
People can register their interest in tickets for the ceremonies by visiting https://www.cpsport.org/nottingham-2015-world-games/tickets/
To find out how to become of member of the dance team for the ceremonies visit: https://dance4.co.uk/news/2015-06/dance4-seeks-nottingham-people-take-part-nottingham-2015-cpisra-world-games-opening-ceremony