The world’s most innovative ‘out of water’ shark experience is heading to the UK, and it’s set to make its debut at Chester Zoo later this month.
Visitors heading to the UK’s largest charity zoo this summer will be some of the first in the country to get to make the most of the brand-new immersive exhibition known as Planet Shark: Predator or Prey – which aims to highlight “the wonder of sharks”.
Working with global creative company, Grande Experiences, the new exhibition at the zoo will feature an impressive 360-degree underwater digital display, as well as life-sized shark models.
There’ll even be the jaws of a prehistoric megalodon shark, which is the largest fish ever recorded.
Set to showcase millions of years of evolution, Chester Zoo says the exhibition will also shine a light on the wide-ranging threats sharks face, such as ocean plastics and illegal shark fin trade, and conservationists hope it will leave people with “a new level of respect” for the ocean’s oldest and most effective predators.
“This groundbreaking exhibition could not have come at a better time,” admits Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education & Engagement at Chester Zoo.
“Years of fishing pressures and misrepresentation have pushed many of the world’s shark species to the very brink of extinction, but the launch of Planet Shark: Predator or Prey aims to showcase these incredible animals in a whole new light, increase people’s understanding of the threats they face, and show how together we can ensure their future.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Immersive ‘out of water’ shark experience with life-sized models to make UK debut at Chester Zoo / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
Chester Zoo’s Head of Marketing, Helen Dean, says the new exhibition is to be produced on a size and scale “never seen before here in the UK”.
She added: “This is a unique experience that includes an immersive cinematic display delivered in a true 360-degree environment, life-size shark models cast from real animals, and extremely rare fossils dating back around 370 million years.
“As a wildlife conservation charity, we want to create a future where nature survives and thrives.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This experience will leave our guests with a much deeper understanding of these magnificent, yet sadly misunderstood animals.”
The UK’s largest charity zoo is inviting people to “sink their teeth” into the new exhibition / Credit: Chester Zoo
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey will officially open on 25 May and will run until 31 October.
The exhibition will be free with normal zoo admission, and Chester Zoo is offering its members an exclusive preview of the exhibition between 15-24 May.
Manchester’s smash-hit Pitbull 5km run is back in town this week
Daisy Jackson
A 5km running event where participants dress up as Pitbull is returning to Manchester this week.
Runners will be donning bald caps, drawing on goatees, and shrugging on their suit jackets as they hit the streets for a very silly run.
The Pitbull Party Run has been organised again this year by Slow Run Club, and Run the Street MCR, who’ll be spurring runners on with plenty of daftness inspired by the man himself.
It’s part of a series of shakeout events taking place all week before the 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness.
The 5km shake-out run will be soundtracked by non-stop Pitbull party anthems from warm-up all the way through the run to the cool-down.
Last year’s event proved to be a massive hit and had dozens of Pitbull look-a-likes running through the streets – so now they’re hoping to make it even bigger for this year.
Runners will meet outside The Tap House in Circle Square from 6.30pm for a warm-up, ready to run from 7pm.
And all participants will get a free Lucky Saint beer to celebrate finishing the race.
24-Hour Run founder Thomas Lewis said: “We’ve got a great programme of events lined up across Greater Manchester.
“These shakeout events are all about bringing local running communities together while spreading the word about the 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness in November.
“The Pitbull party run got a great reception last year, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with Run The Streets MCR and Slow Run Club to put on this event again.”
The Manchester 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness is a charity relay challenge that invites runners of all abilities to take part in a continuous 24-hour relay made up of a 5km loop repeated throughout the 24 hours.
Runners can join for as little or as much as they like, whether it’s one lap or 20. The event takes place from midday on Wednesday 11 November to midday Thursday 12 November.
The 24-Hour Run supports the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s A Bed Every Night scheme, and last year saw cumulative distance of over 16,000 km covered and raised over £70,000 for the charity.
Tickets for the Pitbull Party Run are £3, which all goes to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to support The Manchester 24 Hour Run’s goal of £100,000.
Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd May 2023 
