Media release: Monday 13 July, 9AM Presented by BBC Studios, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra & Auckland Live NEW DATES CONFIRMED FOR BLUE PLANET II LIVE IN CONCERT Auckland – 9 and 10 April 2021 FEATURING BREATHTAKING FOOTAGE FROM THE BAFTA AWARD-WINNING BBC STUDIOS NATURAL HISTORY SERIES and MUSIC COMPOSED BY HANS ZIMMER, JACOB SHEA AND DAVID FLEMING FOR BLEEDING FINGERS MUSIC PERFORMED BY AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA (APO) BBC Studios, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Auckland Live are pleased to confirm new dates for Blue Planet II Live in Concert, with two special evenings set for Auckland on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 April 2021, at Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre. Blue Planet II Live In Concert was previously scheduled for July 2020, but the event was postponed due to Covid-19. Following the incredible success of the BAFTA-award winning BBC Studios natural history series Blue Planet II, Blue Planet II Live in Concert will bring the wonders and mysteries of the planet’s oceans and its colourful inhabitants to the stage, in a screening incorporating live music and narration by a special guest who is yet to be announced. Blue Planet II Live In Concert will present a selection of stunning visuals from the television series, highlighting the incredible natural wonders of our blue planet in detail, projected on a big screen. Accompanied by the original immersive music score by renowned musicians Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming which will be performed live by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO). BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand acting head of live entertainment, Louise Hill, says “We’re thrilled to reconfirm dates for Kiwi audiences to enjoy the magic of Blue Planet II Live in Concert. Following the tremendous success of Planet Earth II Live in Concert, we’re certain New Zealand audiences will be blown away by the show’s awe-inspiring footage and spectacular music score performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.” Blue Planet II Live in Concert is a live adaptation of a television story following the incredible success of the award-winning television series Blue Planet II. During the four years filming for Blue Planet II, the teams embarked on 125 expeditions, travelled to 39 countries, including New Zealand, and filmed across every continent and ocean. They spent 6,000 hours deep-sea diving, 1,000 hours in submersibles, filming everywhere from our familiar shores to the deepest seas. Logistically, some of these expeditions could be compared to a trip into space – such was the effort. In the process, the camera teams encountered creatures that appeared so strange that they really did seem to come from a different planet. A fantastical journey from icy polar seas to pulsating coral reefs, from the luminous deep sea to enormous kelp forests: immerse yourself in Blue Planet II Live in Concert, an epic experience that you will never forget. Blue Planet II Live in Concert 7.30 pm, Friday 9 April and Saturday 10 April 2021 Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre aucklandlive.co.nz/show/blue-planet-ii Blue Planet II is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production. Public tickets on sale today. For further media information, images and interviews please contact: KATE JONES | 818 0210381906 / [email protected] About BBC Studios APAC Covering Australia, New Zealand and 23 countries across the Asia region, BBC Studios APAC is overseen by EVP Jon Penn. Operating from eight offices, with its main bases in Sydney, Beijing and Singapore, BBC Studios APAC comprises of Content Sales and Co-productions, Branded Services, Production, Format Sales, Consumer Products and Live Entertainment. The BBC Studios business in Australia and New Zealand wholly owns seven channels: BBC First, BBC UKTV, BBC Earth and CBeebies on Foxtel and Fetch TV in Australia; BBC Brit on Fetch TV; and BBC UKTV and BBC Earth on Sky TV in New Zealand. It distributes great British content from the BBC and other British producers to free-to-air, subscription channels and SVOD platforms and works with partners to bring BBC Studios DVDs, consumer BBC Studios Limited trading as BBC Studios, Registered Number: 04463546 England 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FA, United Kingdom bbcstudios.com products and live events to the local market. The production arm in Sydney produces BBC formats for the local market and creates new IP. bbcstudios.com.au/events/ twitter.com/bbcstudios twitter.com/bbcstudiospress About Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) is New Zealand’s designated metropolitan orchestra, serving Auckland, the country’s largest and most vibrant city, with concerts and events throughout the year. The APO is also one of Auckland Live’s key resident companies, with its home in the Auckland Town Hall. APO presents more than 70 performances annually with a comprehensive season of symphonic work showcasing many of the world’s finest classical musicians as well as exciting collaborations with some of New Zealand’s most inventive contemporary artists. The APO is renowned for its innovation, passion and versatility. Through its numerous APO Connecting (education, outreach and community) initiatives, the APO offers opportunities to more than 20,000 young people and adults nationwide. More than 250,000 people hear the orchestra live each year, in the concert hall and through live streams and radio broadcasts. Many thousands more are reached through special events, recordings and other media. apo.co.nz facebook.com/aporchestra twitter.com/APOrchestra instagram.com/aporchestra About Auckland Live Auckland Live is a world-class leader in live arts and entertainment, and an active contributor to the vibrancy and creativity of Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland. Auckland Live present live arts performances and events at a number of prominent venues across Auckland, support the arts and creative sector and provide opportunities for people of all ages to engage with the arts. Their iconic venues and public spaces, which include the Aotea Centre, Aotea Square, Auckland Town Hall, The Civic, Bruce Mason Centre and Queens Wharf, are stages for presenting a programme of live arts and entertainment for the enjoyment and inspiration of everyone in Tāmaki Makaurau. aucklandlive.co.nz facebook.com/AklLive twitter.com/AucklandLive instagram.com/aucklandlive/ .