Akram was invited to choreograph a prominent section of  Danny Boyle’s Isles of Wonder London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The brief from Boyle to Akram was one word – Mortality.

The section featured 50 specially selected professional dancers, a 9-year-old boy and Akram himself. Set to the voice of Emeli Sandé singing Abide With Me, the piece was a moment of reflection and contemplation following the vibrant and astonishing, high tempo proceedings.

Akram’s work brought an infectious stillness to the Ceremony, a reminder of our own mortality and the transfer of possibilities and hopes between generations.