Host of Planet Earth Ⅱ Live in Concert, Liz Bonnin, who has a Masters in wild animal biology, has presented over 40 primetime programmes including Blue Planet Live, Super Smart Animals, Galapagos, Horizon and the landmark BBC One documentary Drowning in Plastic. We sat down for a quick chat with Liz to ask her what we can come to expect from this magnificent experience and learn a little more about The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the breath-taking footage which accompanies them.

Bonnin said, "The past two years have been incredibly difficult for everyone, and I hope our tour can play a small part in offering joy, healing and optimism. It will be an uplifting experience, celebrating the majesty of life and all the beauty and wonder that Mother Earth has to offer. I'm all the more excited to be able to share it with you.”

How does Hans Zimmer’s score and the live orchestra change the experience of seeing the stories presented on screen?

The thought of seeing these spectacular images of nature on a huge, high-definition screen whilst listening to a Live orchestra playing the superb score of Hans Zimmer sends tingles down my spine. The series was already incredibly moving from the comfort of my sofa, but I think this audio visual spectacle will be on an entirely different level, and I have no doubt that it will create an incredible energy in the arena, connecting us all to the majesty of nature, to art and music, but also connecting us to each other, in a very special way. From a personal and somewhat selfish perspective, I simply cannot wait to experience that! But I am also so very excited to be able to present this unique event to audiences of all ages, it’s the first time I’ve worked on something like this, and I’m thrilled to be getting the chance.

From your background in science and natural history, is there a part of Planet Earth II that particularly resonates with you?

Well, I will never forget shouting at the television when that marine iguana was running for its life! Or being completely awestruck at such scenes as that tiny glass frog protecting its clutch of eggs from wasps using karate kicks. These landmark series, under the expert guidance of the inimitable Sir David Attenborough, are exquisite reminders of just how wondrous and sophisticated the natural world is – it never ceases to surprise and delight - and just when you think you have a fair idea of what our planet’s wildlife is like, along comes a programme like Planet Earth II that raises the bar and showcases wildlife spectacles you could never have imagined.

How does it feel to finally be able to share the show after being forced to postpone due to covid?

It’s been such a tough time for everyone, and we still have many challenges ahead when it comes to what the future looks like for us and the planet, but my hope is that, as we begin to recover from this extraordinary situation, our tour can play a small part in offering joy, healing, and optimism. It will be an uplifting experience, celebrating the majesty of life and all the beauty and wonder that the natural world has to offer.

What do you hope that people will take away from the experience of Planet Earth II?

What’s clear is that people are hungrier than ever for experiences that can reconnect them with the natural world. And this will be a wonderful opportunity to do just that. But there’s also something incredibly powerful about discovering the capabilities all the species we share this planet with, that have each evolved extraordinary adaptations and behaviours in order to survive. This can be very humbling, challenging us to reassess our relationship with nature, and our place in it. And I hope that as the public leave the arenas, they will be filled with joy, moved, but also changed for the better in this regard.