By Tom Degun

Take_That_on_circus_tourFebruary 18 - London 2012 today announced the appointment of leading British creatives, including world renowned UK live events, theatre and TV choreographer Kim Gavin, to mastermind the Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.


Gavin, the creative director behind the shows and performances by record breaking British band Take That, has been appointed as the Artistic Director for the Closing Ceremonies for both the Olympics and Paralympics.

The trained ballet dancer has choreographed and directed many BRIT Award performances as well as the Concert for Diana and the Help the Heroes Concert but her work on the critically acclaimed Take That Circus shows at Wembley Stadium and throughout the UK in 2010 is her most high profile achievement to date.

Gavin, who will also be working on the forthcoming Take That European Progress Tour which features Robbie Williams, said: "I'm honoured to have been asked to be the Artistic Director for the Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I'm really excited to be involved in the planning for the celebration which will close what I'm sure will be a fantastic Games."

London 2012 also revealed that multi-award-winning international stage and costume designer Es Devlin has been appointed as Designer for the Olympic Closing Ceremony.

Devlin recently designed Lady Gaga's "Monster Ball" United States Tour and has also worked on tours for Muse, Kanye West and the Pet Shop Boys.

Lady_GaGa_Monster_Ball_tour

She designs opera, drama and dance for the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, English National Opera, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Sadlers Wells and was awarded TPi Stage Designer of the Year 2010 and 2011.

"I am delighted to be part of the greatest show on earth," she said.

"We are envisaging a truly imaginative celebration and I'm honoured to be part of the team."

Meanwhile David Arnold, the composer and producer behind five James Bond films, Independence Day and Chronicles of Narnia as well as records by Dame Shirley Bassey, George Michael and the Kaiser Chiefs, joins the team as the Music Director for the Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremonies.

"To be involved in the London 2012 Closing Ceremonies, where we celebrate the achievements of the best of the world's athletes, is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a huge honour," he said.

"As a nation we excel throughout the world in music, and our team will be readying an electrifying and thrilling soundtrack for this spectacular event."

This announcement follows the appointment of Danny Boyle as Artistic Director of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman, said: "We're delighted that the best of British creative talent have joined us and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies are certainly in the best possible hands."

A talented team of Executive Producers, led by Stephen Daldry, are set to oversee the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies in 2012.

Daldry said: "As Executive Producers we are committed to attract the best talent in the world into key roles, and these appointments today certainly do that.

"We're delighted to welcome Kim, Es and David on board and look forward to developing wonderful celebrations for the Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson added: "What an unrivalled wealth of British creative brilliance.

"With such a team on board our opening and closing ceremonies will be the envy of the world.

"We have the best of British creating the spectacular bookends of our Games, I have no doubt this will be the very best Olympics and Paralympics for generations to come."

An announcement on the Artistic Director for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games will be made in the summer.

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