Kynren

Kynren is an epic outdoor live-action show that takes you through 2000 years of British history. Put on by charitable trust, Eleven Arches with a thousand strong cast and crew. Every year thousands of visitors gather to watch this amazing theatrical story that brings people from all over the world to enjoy this experience. The stage is an amphitheatre below Auckland Castle which is cleverly lit to draw your eye to the action occurring at that moment, while the actors set themselves up for the next scene. This story is told through the viewpoint of a young boy reading the history of his nation. It contains wonderful set pieces that draw on English History, while being an entertaining depiction of many stories that you may have only heard about in history books – from the Roman invasion through to the First World War. The show brings together jousting, pyrotechnics, choreographed dance scenes and a sunken longship that rises out of the lake manned by a crew of Vikings (the actors impressively scuba-dive to the ship prior to it rising out of the water) to terrify the people of the North East.

Alongside the Auckland Project, Kynren’s aim is to make Bishop Auckland into a worldwide tourism attraction for the benefit of local communities. Kynren is always growing with new additions being added to the entertainment. Even before you enter the amphitheatre you will be able to enjoy a Viking Village with villagers enacting dark age life, the Maze of Fame, full of surprises and its own magic library and fountain, and a Georgian animal croft. For children, an adventure playground has been added and new shows are being developed to be performed during the day so even if you are passing through you can enjoy a bit of the magic. If you are visiting the North East, Kynren is a must-see event.