Sir David Attenborough will be celebrating his birthday next week, and it’s a big one (hundred). To mark a century of the wildlife-loving presenter’s existence, the Royal Albert Hall will be throwing a birthday bash on Friday, May 8, titled ‘100 Years On Planet Earth’.
It’ll be made up of an entire evening’s worth of performances, talks, and dedications to the natural historian, treating both the live audience and those watching via the BBC broadcast on the night.
Much of the performances will be renditions of the sounds featured in David Attenborough’s beloved series of Planet Earth. This includes the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós performing their track, Hoppípolla, which was used in the first season of Planet Earth in 2006.
Bastille frontman Dan Smith will also be performing a classical interpretation of the band’s hit Pompeii, which was used in the soundtrack for Planet Earth III in 2023.
The event kicks off at 7:30pm, with guest speakers for the night including fellow intrepid explorers Sir Michael Palin, Steve Backshall, and Chris Packham.
Guests will also be able to enjoy the BBC Concert Orchestra performing the scores to many iconic moments from David Attenborough programmes, such as the iconic chase scene involving a snake and iguana in Planet Earth II. Through the night, there will also be scenes displayed from his wildlife programmes that have made up his more than 70-year-long career on TV.
David Attenborough’s 100 Years On Planet Earth takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, May 8. Find out more information on tickets and the order of play here. The show will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8:30pm on the same day.
