I was delighted to be invited to attend the press preview of Kynren which is an outdoor theatre spectacle located in Bishop Auckland and now into its 10th year.
What is Kynren?
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is a live action show that takes audiences on a journey through 2,000 years of history in 90 minutes of action packed entertainment. This world class show combines magnificent sets, combat, stunts, horsemanship, stunning pyrotechnics and amazing special effects.
Everything at Kynren is on an immense scale – it is performed by a thousand strong volunteer cast and crew on a seven-and-a-half acre stage (the scale of five football pitches) in front of an 8,000-seater tribune in the heart of Bishop Auckland. Alongside the cast which ranges in age from 5-85, animals also take central stage. Sets include a menagerie of 150 animals including magnificent horses, a mother and daughter donkey duo, goats, sheep and even a gaggle of geese who steal the show with their unforgettable scenes.
What does Kynren mean?
The name ‘Kynren’, echoes the Anglo Saxon word ‘cynren’ meaning ‘generation, kindred, family’. It’s a fitting name for a story that is about a heritage that spans multiple generations of volunteers who are involved now and will be in the years to come.
When and where does Kynren take place?
Kynren is located at Flatts Farm in Bishop Auckland, County Durham with performances in 2025 set to take place each Saturday night from 19th July to 13th September. The show runs from sunset to starlight and starts at 9.15 p.m. on 19th July and then moves to slightly earlier times as the summer progresses. Gates open between 5.15 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. depending on the date booked. More details here.
Pre-show activities – Viking Village
We arrived just over an hour before the show started to find huge car parks and bus and coach stands all within a few minutes walk of the main Kynren stage. Pre-show entertainment takes the form of a recreated Viking Village to explore, with its very own working blacksmith’s forge, authentic huts and even some Viking warriors.
Actors are dressed in full Viking attire bringing the village to life in a realistic way. I was impressed that alongside demonstrating their skills, the actors took time to answer questions about the age old techniques, thus providing a learning experience for young and old alike.
Food and Drink outlets at Kynren
Having explored the Viking Village we were feeling a little peckish so we grabbed a bite to eat from one of the on-site catering stands. Again, it was all very well organised with minimal queuing to collect our orders for an event of this size. I thought that £15 was good value for a generous portion of chickpea curry, rice and a quarter bottle of wine. I’d never seen so many picnic tables so we didn’t need to look far to find somewhere to sit down to eat our tasty supper.
Kynren Performance
As the sun set over Auckland Castle we were treated to 90 mins of action-packed entertainment with humour and emotion as well as historical facts and figures. The spellbinding family-friendly experience begins with a local boy named Arthur, who accidentally kicks a football through a window of a hunting lodge at Auckland Palace and sets the wheels in motion for his time-travelling quest.
A fascinating voyage full of rebellions, magic, majesty, celebration and heartache follows – as seen through the eyes of Arthur – shining the spotlight on Boudicca’s doomed rebellion, the Viking invasions, knights jousting for glory, the Norman Conquest, King Charles’ final journey to the executioner’s block and the grandeur of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. From the rise of industry to the courage of communities during wartime, Kynren brings history vividly to life.
The effects were amazing. the landscape with a backdrop of Auckland Castle has been used to perfection. Sets rise up out of the water, castles rise up, and cathedrals with rose windows appear from nowhere simply created from water and light, and the sound and pyrotechnics really bring the show to life. This year’s summer season features a special celebration of the 200th anniversary of the nearby Stockton and Darlington Railway, the birthplace of the modern railway that shaped this region and the world forever. Kynren’s full-scale replica of Locomotion No.1 was in action as it steamed across the stage.
The evening was warm and still and along with the entire audience, I was enthralled by the performance culminating in a wondrous finale featuring the full cast and a stunning pyrotechnic display.
Overall:
From the car park attendants and bus drivers, to the volunteers doing the security checks, the people ushering visitors to the tribune and the performers themselves, it’s easy to see that they adore the whole show, the concept and the part they are playing. Everyone couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful, giving us the warmest of north east England welcomes.
Fact Box:
Tickets cost from £30 for adults and from £20 for under 18s. Children aged 3 and under are free when sat on an adult’s knee. I’d genuinely recommend an evening at Kynren to everyone. For further information and to book tickets, visit the Kynren website.
Spend the weekend in County Durham
The town of Bishop Auckland and surrounding area has much to offer so I suggest making a weekend of attending Kynren. Here are my suggestions of some lovely things to see and do.
Where to stay:
We stayed at the Park Head Hotel which is just outside Bishop Auckland and is managed by the Auckland Project. With comfortable rooms located both in the main building and the nearby courtyard alongside a cosy bar and restaurant, I highly recommend it. Park Head Hotel
The Auckland Project
Bishop Auckland is a market town located 12 miles south west of Durham and the former home of the Prince Bishops of Durham. The town has a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. The Auckland Project is a unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, gardens and parkland centred around the heart of the town. Tickets to individual attractions can be obtained or for better value I recommend the all inclusive Bishop’s Key which allows unlimited access for one year. The Auckland Project’s attractions are all within easy reach of Bishop Auckland Station, either by bus or on foot for those visitors not having access to a car. The Auckland Project.
Raby Castle
Raby Castle is one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England and was constructed in the 14th century by the powerful Neville family. It has a long history as Cecily Neville was mother to two kings of England. The castle was also the scene of the plotting of the Rising of the North and was a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War. The castle is characterised by its vast medieval towers, terrace and curtain walls dating back to the 11th Century. The expansive grounds boast picturesque parkland, lakes and wild roaming deer. Enjoy a one hour guided castle tour before strolling through the grounds. Raby Castle.
The Bowes Museum
The Bowes Museum is located on the edge of Barnard Castle and is an impressive French style building built in the late 19th century by John and Josephine Bowes and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland. The museum houses a vast collection of European fine and decorative arts and is regarded as one of the most significant museums outside London. The Bowes Museum.
Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle is a historic market town which takes its name from the castle around which it grew. The ruined castle is an English Heritage property and was named after its 12th century founder, Bernard de Balliol. It was later developed by Richard III whose boar emblem is carved above a window in the inner ward. Enjoy a stroll around the castle ruins followed by a walk through the attractive town which boasts a good selection of independent shops and cafes. Barnard Castle.
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We were guests of Kynren and Visit County Durham and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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