LONDON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Followings are the illustrations from Scene 1 to Scene 11 of the ongoing opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on Wednesday:
Scene 1: Miranda
Scene 1 introduces the central character, Miranda who encourages people to look at the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Professor Stephen Hawking - perhaps the world's most brilliant physicist - appears on the 'moon stage' and speaks of the quest for understanding the origins of the universe.
Nicola Miles-Wildin, who plays "Miranda" is a professional actress and Assistant Director of Graeae Theatre Company's power- wheelchair dancing troupe Rhinestone Rollers.
Hawking, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 21, has carried out groundbreaking work in the fields of quantum gravity and general relativity throughout hisdistinguished career.
The cast includes 42 deaf and disabled people who took part in an eight-week training program at Circus Space in London.
The performance began with a glowing, celestial sphere descending into the middle of a giant central umbrella structure, igniting the "big bang", of which Hawking has written extensively. Fireworks explode in a starry burst which, in turn, expands onto the pixel screen transporting the audience into deepest space.
The audience is then brought back to contemporary London, as shooting stars on the pixel screen transform into rain drops. The umbrellas become the focus for a street dance by Flawless, accompanied by sway pole and aerial choreography.
Umbrellas are a motif running throughout the Ceremony. Designer Jon Bausor says,"The umbrello, or brolly, is a quintessentially British object and the steel-framed version was invented in 1852 by the British industrialist, Samuel Fox."
Miranda's eyes become audience's eyes as the cast reforms to create the image of a giant eye staring out of the Stadium. Hawking encourages Miranda to be curious and she looks out to see mechanical objects entering the Stadium.
Scene 2: Majesty
As the choral performance ends, the ensemble cast position themselves around the central umbrella and switch on their umbrella lights once more for the entrance of The Queen. This is the first time a British monarch has officiated at the openings of both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.
Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year, the 60th year of her reign. She's second-longest serving monarch in British history.
A fanfare is heard and Her Majesty is welcomed into the Presidential Box by Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee. Then the union flag is processed past the Queen by servicemen and women. The flag is then raised to the accompaniment of Benjamin Britten's arrangement of the national anthem, performed by the 430-strong choir.
A section of the choir sings the first verse, quietly, and then the mass choir join in on the second verse. A "signing choir" of signs the lyrics and the words are displayed on the stadium screens. During the national anthem the cast switch on their lights to create a stylised representation of the union flag.
Scene 3: Spirit in Motion
"Spirit in Motion" is the motto of the Paralympic Movement and as athletes from across the world enter the Stadium, they receive a suitably energizing welcome with a global music mash-up created by three London DJs.
Teams from 165 countries and regions, the largest ever number in the history of the Paralympic Games, enter the Stadium in alphabetical order - except for the host country, Great Britain, who, following tradition, enters last.
Each delegation is dressed in its official uniform and is preceded by a placard bearer announcing the country name in English. Once again, umbrellas feature - providing the placards and the deconstructed skirts echoing umbrella ribs. The costumes have been finished by aerosol artists, which gives an edgy, urban feel. When all the athletes are in place, soprano Denise Leigh sings the athlete tribute song, "Spirit in Motion".
As part of the bid to host the 2012 Games in London, a UK-wide request was made for babies who were born on the 20th day of the 12th month of 2004 to be registered with "The Children's Promise". Around 750 children were registered and now they're 7 years, 8 months and 10 days old. They've already played an important role in the Olympic Torch Relay. All of them are here Wednesday night.
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