Ella Al-Shamahi

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS

Tel: 01392 667080

Ella Al-Shamahi

About

This is the story of Homo sapiens… us


Host of BBC landmark show ‘Human’, Ella Al-Shamahi, palaeoanthropologist, TV presenter, explorer and stand-up presents a talk on our remarkable origin story.


Once upon a time we shared this planet with many species of human – it has been said that our world was a bit like Lord of the Rings. To start with we Homo sapiens weren’t that remarkable, our origins were in fact rather humble and yet somehow today we are the only ones left. But we didn’t just survive against all odds, we thrived, innovated and travelled like no other species of human - becoming the explorer species who built cities, iPhones and painted the Sistine Chapel. Our success was profound, but how on Earth did it happen and at what cost?


Ella Al-Shamahi started studying evolution as a creationist and so she interweaves her own story demonstrating the power of tribalism not just in the past, but also in the present. Expect a talk that draws on the latest discoveries, heart, humour and wild expedition stories.


Al-Shamahi is a National Geographic Explorer specialising in searching for fossils in Palaeolithic caves in politically unstable, hostile and disputed territories. She is the presenter of HUMAN, a flagship BBC/PBS science series as well as other TV and radio shows. She is also author of a Times/Sunday Times book of the year ‘The Handshake: A Gripping History’


Reviews for Human BBC Two


The Guardian ★★★★★

“She is the best teacher you never had”

Financial Times ★★★★

“Infectious enthusiasm”

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Standard£21.00

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

TripAdvisor

Directions

Opening Times

Ella Al-Shamahi (28 June 2026)
DayTimes
Sunday19:30

Follow us

What's Nearby

  1. This Is Ska 2026 With The Embezzlers

    The Embezzlers

    The EMBEZZLERS are a 6 piece, 100% Live, SKA band based in Exeter,…

    0 miles away
  2. Blithe Spirit

    A cynical novelist and his new wife are haunted by the mischievous ghost of his first…

    0 miles away
  3. Die Twice

    Formed in Exeter several years ago, and barely out of their teens, the band have already…

    0 miles away
  1. Niall Mcnamee

    Niall McNamee is an Irish singer-songwriter and actor rapidly making a name for himself…

    0 miles away
  2. Shades of Rythm / Kings Of The Rave with DJ Andromeda

    Kings of the Rave

    A collaborative DJ project, featuring 3 of Old Skools best loved acts…

    0 miles away
  3. The Blockheads

    Ian Dury's redoubtable band return to pay tribute to their late, great frontman.

    0 miles away
  4. Harriet Dyer

    Nonsense, daft characters and tentacles in Dyer's show.

    0 miles away
  5. Session #3 Exeter Artnership Fundraising Workshop

    Session three:
    Date: Tuesday 30th Sept
    Time: 12-2pm
    Venue: Rougemont Room, Exeter…

    0 miles away
  6. Logicaltramp

    Logicaltramp bring their own unique approach to the music of Supertramp – playing…

    0 miles away
  7. Happyend

    Set in a near-future Tokyo where the threat of a catastrophic earthquake pervades daily…

    0 miles away
  8. Your Spooky Face/ My Spooky Face All Ages

    6yrs + - Embrace this Spooky time of year. Work in pairs with a family member or friend…

    0 miles away
  9. Storytelling Through Textiles 5 Weeks

    "Experiment with textiles to explore embroidery, appliqué and quilting techniques to…

    0 miles away
  10. The Magic of Terry Pratchett

    Join author and comedian Marc Burrows on a journey through the life and work of Sir Terry…

    0 miles away
  11. Josie Long: Now Is the Time of Monsters

    IAM

    A new show about extinct, gigantic, charismatic megafauna from three-time Edinburgh…

    0 miles away
  12. Intro To Adobe After Effects 1 Day

    Learn how to bring your films to life with Adobe After Effects’ industry animation and…

    0 miles away
  13. Uncut Poets

    Exeter’s poetry platform presented by Alasdair Paterson and Liz Adams.

    Each month we…

    0 miles away
Previous Next

Search for What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles

Related

Exeter Phoenix - front of buildingExeter Phoenix, Exeter

Recently Viewed

  1. Tony Christie

  2. Jake Lambert: The Sunshine Kid

Events Powered By

Data Thistle