As a Casting and Costumes Games Maker Kasam, who graduated with an Engineering Masters in Internet Computing, put his creative mind to the test making some of the costumes used in Danny Boyle’s colourful Opening Ceremony.

Working alongside his wife, he made the beautiful dove bikes which we saw ‘flying’ in circles around the stadium towards the end of the ceremony. He also stitched the Mary Poppins’ hats and made sure the performers for the Industrial Revolution sequence were suitably greasy, dirty and authentic.

Kasam, who has taken considerable time off work to volunteer, is also working back stage at the Closing Ceremony and will be a performer for the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, saying: “I just love the Olympic Games, I’ve watched them every time round. From the bid I knew I wanted to get involved. I’m a Londoner, born and lived my whole life in Tower Hamlets, a host borough.

“I consider myself lucky to have got involved so much. It will be great to be in front of the cameras for the Paralympic Opening Ceremony after being behind the scenes for this one.”

In addition to his work on the costumes, Kasam also helped the Casting crew look after the performers, and claims to have enjoyed this operational role as much as the creative costume role: “I helped with the timings for the cast, getting them on and off stage. It’s something that is important and has to be done else the choreography wouldn’t have worked.

“One day I was even just serving tea to the cast. These things are all important.”

With this central role in the Opening Ceremony, Kasam got to experience all the perks of the job that you would expect. He recalls one great moment: “In one of the first full rehearsals of the Pandemonium scene, I was sat watching and then Danny Boyle came and sat down next to me and thanked me for my efforts – it was amazing.

“It was so inspirational to be near such people and you get to understand their vision, which was explained to everyone on the BBC, but we got to experience it first-hand. It is just an amazing honour to be part of it.”

Kasam encourages people to tweet him and follow his updates which show him working on the ceremony - add him on twitter: @kasam

By Ruth Faulkner