Sir Ranulph Fiennes – Living Dangerously at The Lowry Manchester Review

Reviewed by Ann Durrell

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is described by the Guinness Book of World Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’. Since the late 1960’s Fiennes has completed expeditions across both poles, up The Nile by hovercraft, climbed Mount Everest and even ran seven marathons over seven days. Did I mention these marathons were just four months after a double heart by-pass? There is no argument really that he is an individual who has lived a very full life!

During his talk, Sir Ranulph gave the audience an insight into his early life. Fiennes father was serving in the army when he was killed, and his mother moved the family back to the UK when he was 12. Not being the most academically gifted he managed to find an entrance to Sandhurst without the requirement of A-Levels. After a stint in the SAS (he was chucked out after helping a friend try and blow up the set of Dr Doolitte) he spent time seconded to the Sultan of Oman’s Army. After serving his 8 years Fiennes and his first wife, Ginny, set out as their new profession of explores.

Sir Ranulph tells of the intense planning and journey he and his fellow explorers took during their Transglobe Expedition. What really struck me was how he described recruiting on motivation alone, which is so often superseded by experience. You can teach someone to do a task but you cannot change their attitude is very true. During the talk we were shown images so we could get a feeling for the terrain they were battling and also some less welcome photos of injuries! Throughout he is amusing and talks very lovingly of his first wide Ginny, who he met when she lived next door when they were age 12 and 9.

After an interval there was the opportunity for a Q&A session. The audience had been invited to ask questions via Twitter and there were also mics set up in the theatre. Amongst the questions were ‘what’s is the strangest thing you have eaten on an expedition’ which was Goats Eyes. A second revolved around what pranks they had played to lift spirits. Hard to think you would have the mind-set to do so under such arduous conditions, but they did!

Whether you are interested in exploration, or looking for some inspiration and motivation, if you get a chance I would recommend catching the tour. The Sir Ranulph Fiennes talk tour is running from 12th July 2018 to 12th November 2018.

Rating: 5/5

For other shows The Lowry in Manchester visit www.thelowry.com or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000