LONDON - As he considered Beijing's extravagant coming-out party to the world four years ago, Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle felt more liberated than daunted by that Olympics Opening Ceremony as ...

How did the festivities compare with London’s Danny Boyle-orchestrated opening ceremony in 2012? ... London had David Beckham, James Bond and The Queen. Paris had Lady Gaga, ...

In 2008, Beijing’s epic opening ceremony advanced a unified “grand narrative” of China as a historic, world-leading power. 2012 London’s creative team contrasted the U.K. to China with a ...

How did the festivities compare with London’s Danny Boyle-orchestrated opening ceremony in 2012? Jim White assesses both and gives his score in six key areas.