J.K. Rowling Reads ‘Peter Pan’ at the Olympics Opening Ceremony

By Maryann Yin 

The “Isles of Wonder” opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics (directed by Oscar-winner Danny Boyle) made a nod to British literature.

Actor Kenneth Branagh (who plays Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter films) recited a passage from William Shakespeare‘s The Tempest. A parade of nurses, doctors and child patients with books followed in rolling beds.

Author J.K. Rowling read a selection from J.M. Barrie‘s Peter Pan. After Rowling’s reading, a giant-sized Lord Voldemort popped up. A crew of women dressed as Mary Poppins wielded umbrellas and banished the Harry Potter villain.

Click here to find out when you can watch the opening ceremony in your neighborhood. Follow this link to view photos from the ceremony. What do you think?