What To Expect From Kynren, An Immersive Retelling Of UK History

Kynren is a spectacular depiction of UK history and culture, says Wendyrosie Scott.

Kynren: An Epic Tale Of England – Review

Horses, donkeys, goats, geese and sheep; a show with pyrotechnics, rousing music and bearded men in kilts who dance superbly as well as joust; women playing respected roles; and a beautiful castle backdrop amid splendid countryside – well sire, you have my attention. Kynren is a fanciful retelling of UK history; a tapestry as such. Part factual, it spans 2000 years as depicted through mythology, heritage, high-tech scenery, mass choreography, stunts and spectacular stage sets employed to create an immersive experience. This is all made possible by charity, local community and philanthropical ingenuity.

It’s a tale told through the eyes and imagination of a local North Easterner, 10-year-old Arthur, who fantasises about being a footballer. A chance meeting with Bishop of Durham, a wise, wondrous wizard-type character (very Harry Potter) encourages him to dream, then dutifully leads him to a magical gate which suddenly rises from a mist-shrouded lake. This acts as a time-travelling portal and is the premise of the show, which immerses him and viewers in an aural and visual mosaic depicting key aspects in history and culture.

It’s an ambitious entity that encompasses, for example, the Romans, Vikings, King Arthur and the Holy Grail, Shakespeare, and significantly, the industrial revolution, as well as an emotive and touching truce football match held at Christmas between World War One troops in the trenches on opposing sides. Not fully knowing what to expect, there were times in which I found elements of the production to be a bit perplexing and twee, but that’s perhaps more my lack of history, and due to having been fortunate to see many varied shows over decades.

 

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Community & A Sense Of Commonality

This bright and bold production brings fireworks, ostentation, magic and the potential for mayhem. A thousand local volunteers worked cooperatively, and were well-trained to perform alongside animals (and amid some superb special effects). What could go wrong?

Yet the production is as endearing as it is impressive, including the amazing animals, who despite explosively loud and imposing special effects remained calm, though I worry partially about the impact’s longevity. A discussion with a passionate advocate, Anna Warnecke, Director of Cavalry and Estates at Kynren and former three-day event rider, is at times slightly combative but mostly reassuring. Anna even offered to show me the animals, who are clearly well cared for, seen as ‘part of the family’, and free to roam when not performing. It is sadly unusual to see such symbiotic human-animal relationships in a public performance. (A Shire horse recently joined the team and is listed as ‘at-risk’ by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust).

The show is popular with adults and children, but will especially magnetise the young. An intergenerational, diverse and committed cast makes it an inclusive and memorable production. What reigns supreme is the sense of community, apparent throughout which is infectiously imparted to the audience.

An Unbeatable North East Heritage & Landscape

Set in the splendour of Bishop Auckland (core to the Kynren tale), the North East generally is noted for its awe-inspiring countryside which perfectly encompasses the production. The Auckland Castle provides a mystical yet very tangible, historical backdrop, as it sits regally on the high ground. A significant heritage landmark, it’s one of the most important medieval bishop’s palaces in Europe and served as the private residence for the revered Prince Bishops of Durham for nine centuries.

The show naturally acknowledges the region’s central role in coal mining and ultimately the industry’s demise, with devastated communities in the North East then hugely lacking the support they needed. However, this is no sad, shrivelling retelling or case of self-pity; instead, the production positively salutes the area, and the production’s wider historical representations are as splendid, characterful, determined, warm-hearted and good-humoured as the people of the region.

Kynren has, in fact, rekindled a sense of pride and purpose, as well as bringing wonderful and unusual new skills and a stronger community. The producer, 11Arches, is a registered charity, whose objective is to produce a world-class historical show, underpinned by an innovative and engaging arts, education and community development programme (not forgetting the significance of philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer). The show site was purchased by the Trust in 2012 to provide a seamless addition to the castle experience, bringing in a wider audience, away from the historically and ecologically sensitive setting of the park itself.

 

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Collaboration & Accolades

Kynren has won many awards, including one for its soundtrack, which was created by composer Nathan Stornetta, who worked with film score master Hans Zimmer. The epic soundtrack evokes much drama and excitement.

With such damn fine fireworks and pyrotechnics, it’s almost certain the French will be involved! This is another level of ‘French fancy’; I hadn’t realised the show’s concept is modelled upon the French production, Puy de Fou, and was adapted by the founder’s son, Nicolas de Villiers. Kynren is certainly a show that endeavours to breathe life into an overly digitalised world. Moreover, it symbolises our love of the proud ‘tryer’ and survivor, determinedly giving their all, and in their own very beautiful, ‘backyard’. Which makes it charmingly appealing, as well as worth seeing and supporting.

BOOK IT

Performances are held annually in the summer months in a specially constructed open-air theatre with 8,000 seats. Given UK summer uncertainty weather-wise, bring warm and weatherproof clothes, a pillow for seats, and an umbrella!

Performance dates include:

• August 31 – gates open at 5:30pm, performance begins at 8pm
• September 7 – gates open at 5pm, performance starts 7:30pm
  
• September 14 – gates open at 5pm, performance starts 7:30pm.

Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7SF England. 11arches.com