"First bloke" to narrate APO show
CLARKE GAYFORD TO NARRATE PLANET EARTH II LIVE IN CONCERT
Clarke Gayford will narrate the Planet Earth II Live in Concert, presented by BBC Studios, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) and Auckland Live on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May at Auckland’s Town Hall.
“I grew up watching Sir David Attenborough and am a huge admirer…”
- Clarke Gayford, Narrator
The concerts on 22 and 23 May mark the New Zealand premiere of this spectacular event that brings to life breathtaking footage from the award-winning BBC series Planet Earth II. Accompanying all the action on the big screen at the ASB Theatre, the 70-strong Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra will transport audiences with a full symphonic treatment of the score by Academy Award ® winner Hans Zimmer, and his composers Jacob Shea and Jasha Klebe from Bleeding Fingers Music.
Alongside the announcement of a second show, organisers are delighted to reveal that Planet Earth II Live in Concert will be narrated live by broadcast personality and New Zealand’s ‘First Bloke’, Clarke Gayford. Gayford’s recent presenting credentials include his documentary series Fish of the Day, for the National Geographic Channel, which has screened in 83 countries.
In 2018, Planet Earth II Live in Concert has toured more than 28 cities worldwide, and in each city, a guest narrator has appeared alongside the live orchestra to tell the story.
Gayford says he is looking forward to taking on the challenge. “I grew up watching Sir David Attenborough, and I’m a huge admirer of his work and his contribution to natural history,” he says. “Narrating the Planet Earth II concert is an enormous honour, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of this special event. I can’t wait to present some of the breathtaking footage from this iconic series alongside a live accompaniment by the incredible Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.”
Chantal Bindley, Head of Live Entertainment, BBC Studios, Australia and New Zealand, says: “New Zealanders clearly have a real affection for the ground-breaking television series Planet Earth II, and this concert takes that enjoyment to the next level, showcasing all the power and drama of nature in an incredible cinematic experience with a live orchestra.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the first show, and tickets have been selling incredibly fast. We’re thrilled to be able to offer a second show in New Zealand, ensuring more people can witness this extraordinary event,” she adds.
Produced by BBC Studios’ acclaimed Natural History Unit, the television series Planet Earth II was filmed over three years using state-of-the-art advanced technology, and in the process, elevated natural history to a whole new level. Now, Planet Earth II Live in Concert will transport audiences to the spectacular landscapes and habitats of some of Earth’s most remarkable wildlife, where they can race alongside wild lions in the remote sandy deserts of Namibia, face stormy Antarctic seas with a family of penguins, and relive the raw drama as a baby iguana tries to escape the clutches of deadly racer snakes.
Tickets for both shows of Planet Earth II Live in Concert are available from Auckland Live aucklandlive.co.nz.
Purchase four tickets or more to become an APO subscriber and save at least 10% on public ticket prices plus pay no booking fees at apo.co.nz.
Planet Earth II Live in Concert
7.30pm, Wednesday 22 May 2019
SECOND SHOW ADDED:
7.30pm, Thursday 23 May 2019
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Produced by BBC Studios and presented in partnership with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Auckland Live
Planet Earth II is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit production co-produced with BBC America, ZDF, Tencent and France Télèvisions
Conductor David Kay
Narrator Clarke Gayford
Tickets and more information: www.aucklandlive.co.nz
Image credit: Into Nature Productions