The 10th Season of Kynren has started! I was invited to the press preview evening recently and what a spectacular show our audiences are in for this year.
The evening started with an address from Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, and a look into the future with what ‘Kynren – The Stored Lands’ will be adding an exciting time-travelling adventure. This daytime attraction, starting next year, will bring history, myth and legend through thrilling live action performances, immersive storytelling and dynamic stagecraft. Anna added that Kyren started over ten years ago with dance lessons in village halls, but volunteers wanted to get straight into learning to sword fight, so new volunteers are taught sword fighting first, now, I think, a little tongue in cheek really.
Before the spectacular show began the audience were treated to a glimpse into ‘The Lost Feather’, an inspiring and visually stunning experience centred around the relationship between birds and humanity.
Birds flew overhead and landed on the Kynren set, previewing the upcoming show next year.  There were Parrots, Crows, Cranes and even a falconer and Falcon on display showing the excited audience their party pieces. The children that I sat near were enthralled by the birds.
Then the music started, so did the dulcet tones of Kevin Wheatley narrating and we were treated to the young Arthur to time travel through 2000 years of history. What a journey it was, the spectacular runs for ninety minutes, taking the audience travelling through:
• Boudicca’s Defiance: We watched the courage of Queen Boudicca on horseback.
• Battle of the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons: We witnessed the dramatic clash at the Battle of
Stamford Bridge.
• Legendary Arthur and Excalibur: The audience was enchanted by the legend of young Arthur
as he draws Excalibur, symbolising his destiny as king.
• Knights Joust for the Prince Bishop: We all felt the thunder of hooves as armoured knights
compete in a thrilling display of skill and bravery for the Prince Bishop of Durham.
• Shakespeare Meets Queen Elizabeth I: The bard himself was onstage.
• The Fall of King Charles I: The audience was taken on the dramatic journey of King Charles I
to the executioner’s block.
• We celebrated the grandeur of royal pageantry during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
• We journeyed with the brave soldiers to the battlefields of the continent during both World
Wars, recreating the drama and heroism of these defining moments in history.
• There was also a tribute to Locomotion, the S&DR is celebrating 200 years of railway history
with a full-sized replica roaring across the stage as it recreates its first journey.
Overall, it truly is a journey through 2000 years of our history, you don’t realise how England has repelled so many invaders and endured so much peril. This story is told by 1000 volunteers in costume, on land and water, with an ever-increasing cast of animals and children on the stage. From the shows 39 horses through to a flock of sheep and goats, as well as cows, donkeys and geese. The 10th Anniversary season of shows is a must-see spectacular right on our doorstep in Bishop Auckland. Performances run from Saturday 19th July, every Saturday until 13th September, tickets and full information about the show is available from: www.kynren.com
Also please listen to my ‘Community Slice Podcast’ this month, when I speak to Laurie Robinson, Director of Cavalry & Estates, and Wendy Wilshire, Head of Volunteer Casting & Engagement at Kyren, and meet some of the horses in the show, as well as Erin who is in the show, go to:
www.bishopfm.com/podcasts – Article and photos by Peter Rush, Bishop FM/Aycliffe Radio.