On Sunday night, the AO Arena in Manchester became more than just a venue for live music; it transformed into a window to the natural world.
In a breathtaking blend of sound, imagery, and live performance, Planet Earth III Live in Concert transported its audience across deserts, oceans, and rainforests, celebrating the wonders of our planet in a way that only this franchise can.
There was something heartwarming about people from across the city coming together to marvel at the beauty of nature and to learn about its fragility. This was far from your average concert experience.
From the moment the opening sequence of Planet Earth filled the arena, accompanied by the aura of a full orchestra, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. A stunning 4K screen, stretching above the stage, brought Planet Earth III to life with vibrant visuals that made it feel as if the AO Arena had been immersed in the depths of the Amazon or the expanse of the Arctic tundra.
The City of Prague Philharmonic orchestra, under the impeccable direction of conductor Matthew Freeman, provided an emotional backbone to the images, breathing life into every scene with a score that was as powerful as the landscapes it depicted.
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The music, composed by the brilliant Hans Zimmer, with additions by Jacob Shea and Sarah Barone, is what sets this apart from a typical evening watching Planet Earth on your TV at home.
Each note carried weight, resonating with the emotional highs and lows of the natural world: the haunting strings underscored the fragility of endangered ecosystems while the thunderous percussion amplified the awe-inspiring power of natural forces.
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It was impossible not to feel in awe during the breathtaking sequences of migrating Monarch butterflies in Mexico, or a flicker of sadness watching an endangered elephant’s quest for survival.
But beyond the sheer spectacle of it all, the evening felt like a rallying cry. Interspersed with awe-inspiring visuals were stark reminders of the environmental crisis we face. Planet Earth executive-producer Mike Gunton, the host of the evening, ever-wise and compelling, spoke to the urgency of action needed to preserve the world we were witnessing. The concert didn’t just aim to entertain; it sought to inspire change.
Planet Earth III transformed the AO Arena. Credit: The Manc Group
The night ended on a high note with a moving orchestral rendition of Bastille’s Pompeii, the chorus ironically erupting around the arena in harmony with the live orchestra; I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bring a tear to my eye.
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Paired with a montage of the evening’s most striking moments, this was a beautiful crescendo for an incredible evening.
As the final note echoed through the arena and the screen faded to black, the message was clear: this Earth is our shared home, and it is worth fighting for.
The standing ovation from the packed audience was more than just appreciation – it was a commitment to protect the fragile beauty that had just been so vividly brought to life.
The cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Show, began its two week run in Manchester last night.
If you’re looking for an understated, subtle musical that’ll have you elegantly tapping your foot to the beat – then this is not the show for you.
The Rocky Horror show is wonderfully weird, wildly extravagant and about as over the top as you can get. It’s about as camp as Christmas, and it’s a night out that you won’t forget.
For someone who is completely new to the Rocky Horror world, the experience of attending the show can be quite daunting as you join the queues of fishnet-wearing fans to scan your ticket.
Image: Supplied
But as soon as you’re seated and the first round of hecklers get started as soon as the curtain flies up, the anxiety melts away.
This is a show where you’re encouraged to sing and dance along, which we all did without hesitation.
The atmosphere in the Palace Theatre was nothing short of electric, from start to finish there were roars of laughter erupting from every tier of the auditorium and why? Well, there’s a couple of reasons.
Image: Supplied
Headlining the cast was Australian super star Jason Donovan starring as the iconic Dr. Frank N.Furter, and his performance was well and truly mesmerising.
Not only did Jason play the sassy sweet transvestite side of the role so perfectly, strutting across the stage with a corset and feather boa, but there were also moments of stillness that felt rather moving.
All in all, a captivating performance which underlines Donovan’s star studded status in the musical theatre universe.
Images: Supplied
Throughout the entire cast there wasn’t a weak link, Connor Carson and Lauren Chia are suitably sexy and strong as Brad and Janet.
Job Greuter delivers a freakishly brilliant Riff Raff whilst Jackie Clune gives a masterclass in comic timing as the omnipotent Narrator.
A standout moment was of course the Time Warp singalong, where the whole cast led us in the iconic dance as we shimmied back and forth in the stalls.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fantastic night out of frivolity and fun then the Rocky Horror Show is for you and we’re looking forward to seeing theatre-goers clad in gold hot pants and fishnet ties strutting around Manchester over the next two weeks.
The Rocky Horror show is at the Palace Theatre until Saturday 31 May and you can get your tickets here.
There’s an outdoor cinema screening a sing-along version of the global phenomenon Wicked later this year near just outside of Greater Manchester.
Arley Hall, in Cheshire, is hosting a very special screening of one of the biggest films of 2024, Wicked, where guests will be allowed to sing along during the film.
This one-off event will come as a relief to some fans of the movie-musical, as back when it was released, one attending was encouraged not to sing along as it may disrupt the film itself.
With a musical stacked with hits like ‘Popular’, ‘Dancing Through Life’ and obviously the huge number that is ‘Defying Gravity’, how could you not take a moment to test out the vocal cords?
Maybe we’ll see some mini Elphabas and Glindas showing up at the Wicked sing-a-long, Arley Hall.Sit back, relax, and defy some gravity.
Now, Arley Hall has teamed up with events and entertainment company Adventure Cinema for an outdoor experience that promises to be a fantastic, family-friendly day out watching Elphaba and Glinda on the big screen.
There are various ticket options available for this Wicked sing-along showing, which are all priced under a reasonable £30 range.
The standard ticket, which requires you to bring your own camping chair or blanket, is only £17.37, while the premium ticket (including a premium deck chair and prime position) costs £25.21.
Throughout the weekend, Adventure Cinema are making themselves comfy in Arley Hall‘s grounds, as they are set to play some huge movie titles and host even more wonderful events.
For instance, there will be an ‘Outdoor Cinema ExtrABBAganza’ courtesy of Mamma Mia!, a double-whammy thanks to ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Stick Man’ playing back to back as well as ‘Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration’ and ‘Pretty Woman’ too.
There’s an ExtrABBAganza coming to Arley Hall the same weekend.Just you, your blanket and a crowd of Wicked fans ready to sing their hearts out.
While we wait eagerly for the second part of the Wickedmovie-musicaladaptation, why not let yourself loose and see if you can out-sing the witches of Oz – Think I’ll leave the singing to Cynthia and Ariana.
The movie-musical became one of the backbones of pop culture in 2024, generating various quoted phrases and viral moments, including the unforgettable ‘Holding Space’ meme alongside many others.
Anyone looking to attend the Wicked sing-along at Arley Hall on Friday, 19 September from 6pm to 10:15pm can find all ticket prices and more information HERE.
Will Kendrick -
9th October 2024 
