Planet Earth II was first released in 2016, but it's remained a firm favourite of any Attenborough fan (so, most of the UK) for the last five years. Now the hit TV show is going to be shown live to an audience to the sound of some of the UK's best musicians.
Planet Earth II Live was due to tour across the UK and Ireland back in 2020, but pandemic-related restrictions have put off the performance until March 2022, when the show is finally scheduled to go ahead.
Luckily, all the seats carried over from previous cancellations haven't completely sold out, so there's still ample room for anyone to join the audience in their experience as they're brought closer to the planet’s spellbinding animals, landscapes and wildlife dramas than ever before.
Live concerts will feature breathtaking, specially-selected footage shown in 4K ultra high-definition on a gigantic LED screen, as the City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Freeman, play the remarkable music by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea & Jasha Klebe for Bleeding Fingers Music- if you know your musicians, you'll know this is a big deal.
So what can the audience expect to see on the big screen? Rubbing shoulders with acrobatic primate cousins in the steaming jungles of Madagascar is hinted to be a part of the experience, as well as racing alongside fearsome hunting lions in the remote sandy deserts of Namibia, facing stormy Antarctic seas with a family of penguins and feeling the raw tension as a baby iguana tries to escape the clutches of deadly racer snakes.
Following in Attenborough's footsteps and setting a positive environmental example, every venue that we work with has an individual sustainability programme in place. Some examples of their outstanding pledges include: free water refill stations at all UK tour venues, choosing not to sell a concert programme to reduce wastage, the host will wear fully sustainable clothing, the crew will avoid air travel where possible and catering suppliers are not providing any red meat dishes, and only offer reusable cutlery and crockery.
The show will be hosted by hosted science and natural history TV presenter Liz Bonnin, rather than David Attenborough, but Liz hopes to bring the same character as the national legend to the screen.
When first cast the role of presenter, Liz said, “I am so honoured to have the role of host on the Planet Earth II Live in Concert arena tour. The TV series included some absolutely breathtaking sequences - who can ever forget the marine iguana fighting for its life as it escaped those racer snakes? I will be just as thrilled as the audience to relive such magnificent scenes on the giant screen, accompanied by a spectacular 80-piece orchestra - it will certainly be an experience to remember!”
The executive producer of the BBC's Planet Earth II television series will be joining Liz Bonnin on stage as our very special guest for all dates on the UK and Ireland Arena tour too.
Planet Earth II will be in Leeds at the First Direct Arena on Thursday 24 March. For more information, including how to book a ticket for the one-night-only event, visit the Ticketmaster website.
Feature Image- Chuff Media
Leeds
Leeds cinemas are offering tickets to see big blockbusters for just £4 this weekend
You can watch some of the year’s biggest blockbusters for just £4 this weekend.
That’s because, to celebrate National Cinema Weekend (5-6 September), Vue has announced that it’ll be offering cut-price tickets to everything from the latest blockbusters and family favourites, to indie horrors and classic re-releases so you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the full cinematic experience this autumn.
Some of the highlights currently showing that you’ll be able to see for just £4 include summer hits like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, and Toy Story 5, as well as the recent release of Ridley Scott’s latest film, The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi.
Family favourites such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, and Cars will also be screening over National Cinema Weekend.
Meanwhile, horror fans can also catch new releases Insidious: Out of the Further, and indie horror Leviticus, or see the year’s biggest horror hit, Obsession, if you haven’t already.
The best bit about the offer? It applies to every seat on every showing, all weekend long. Just pass us the popcorn now.
This means that film lovers can enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seats, Ultra Lux, which are strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen – with extra-wide armrests, back and leg rests that recline independently, a personal table for snacks and beverages, and a state-of-the-art wine cooler, all for just £4 each.
“We encourage everyone to make the most of the celebration and enjoy a film at Vue.”
National Cinema Weekend returns for 2026 this Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, and you can book tickets on the Vue website here.
Major DJ has set cancelled as overcrowding concerns continue at Leeds Festival
Clementine Hall
After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.
One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.
It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.
Sophie Smith -
18th January 2022 
