ES Theatre Awards 2016: spotlight on Sir David Attenborough as he receives the Beyond Theatre Award

The legendary broadcaster has forever changed the way we see the world around us
Ben Travis14 November 2016

Tonight Prince William honoured Sir David Attenborough with the Beyond Theatre Award for his contribution to broadcasting at the glittering London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Here we take a glimpse into the career of one of the most influential TV personalities of our time.

You don’t need words to tell you how monumental Sir David Attenborough’s contribution to broadcasting is – just turn on your TV at 8pm on a Sunday night.

Planet Earth II, which Attenborough narrates with as much personality and gravitas as ever, has been captivating the nation with its incredible stories of life on our world.

Sir David Attenborough - In pictures

Investitures at Windsor Castle
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That we have as great an understanding of wildlife as we do is thanks to Attenborough – not just in his role as a naturalist, but in the way he’s shared his insights and understandings through beautifully shot, hugely engaging documentaries.

David Attenborough recieves his award from Prince William
Stuart C. Wilson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Attenborough’s first presenting role was on the black-and-white Zoo Quest in 1954 – leading to an endlessly fruitful career both behind and in front of the camera.

From 1979 to 2010, his ground-breaking Life series covered all major species and habitats across the globe, from birds and plants, to invertebrates and cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians, to the very first life on earth.

His later years brought more jaw-dropping sights as technology took major leaps – 2006’s Planet Earth series and 2009’s Life both filmed in high definition, or 2013’s Galapagos which aired in 3D for those with 3D televisions.

Even just earlier this year, the one-off Attenborough’s Life That Glows brought the magic of bioluminescence to the screen, only possible in recent years thanks to breakthroughs in camera technology.

Planet Earth II - in pictures

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That episode proved once again, over 60 years into the man’s career, what has made his life and work so special: he’s still able to show us and teach us about phenomena we’ve never seen before, showcasing hidden worlds and fresh discoveries.

His shows still astound and enthral all ages: in an era of iPlayer and on-demand, where live broadcasts are less prevalent, the biggest TV talking point of the week has been the Planet Earth II clip of snakes chasing down a marine iguana.

The jaw-dropping footage is transformed by Attenborough’s dramatic narration, shedding light on the story and lending character to what unfolds.

Sir David Attenborough’s staggering achievement is in turning his lifetime of experience into a lifetime of thoughtful, soulful nature films which will undoubtedly inspire generations of zoologists and naturalists for decades to come. They will be his lasting legacy for experts and non-experts alike – and every new episode will be truly cherished.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 - In pictures

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