Stage set for Bafta glory at the Opera House
3:31pm Friday 10th February 2012 in London News
Under construction: the Opera House gets a facelift in time for Sunday's Baftas
Bafta fever has hit Covent Garden as dozens of construction workers and TV engineers prepare the Royal Opera House in time for Sunday's star-studded awards evening.
Gary Oldman and Meryl Streep are among the Hollywood names heading to London for the ceremony which will be hosted by Stephen Fry and broadcast live on BBC1.
Bow Street is blocked off to traffic and pedestrians with scaffold, gantries and spotlights being erected. Yards of multi-coloured cables line the street.
Bafta gongs and gowns are being kept inside the nearby Savoy Hotel for safe-keeping with actors using the hotel for dressing in the hours ahead of the event.
John Hurt is due to collect the outstanding British contribution to cinema award, while The Artist is the bookies' favourite for best picture.
