Kynren’s preview night a roaring success ahead of milestone season

Kynren’s 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew wowed friends and family on Saturday night during the final dress rehearsal for the spectacular tenth anniversary season of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. The summer run officially begins on Saturday 19^th July in Bishop Auckland.

The breathtaking show unfolded seamlessly as impressive choreography, stunning costumes, epic stunts, dramatic props, and a powerful musical score combined to earn cheers and applause from the preview audience. The evening also marked the debut of the reimagined Jubilee scene, brought to life with 311 new props, costumes, and 186 performers.

Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, said: “Inviting friends and family to our final dress rehearsal is always a joyous occasion. It gives our volunteers the thrill of performing in front of an audience while letting loved ones see the incredible dedication involved. Saturday evening was fantastic, and we can’t wait to share our tenth anniversary season with visitors.”

Guests were also treated to a special sneak preview of The Lost Feather, one of the new shows which will feature in Kynren’s historical daytime theme park, Kynren – The Storied Lands, set to open in summer 2026. A magnificent falcon, rare vultures, rose-breasted cockatoos, macaws, and elegant African crowned cranes amazed the audience as they gracefully flew across the stage and round the tribune.

Anna added: “Hearing the audience gasp as our beautiful birds emerged is a moment I’ll cherish. It was a wonderful opportunity to share a glimpse of what’s coming while highlighting our important conservation work.”

This milestone year celebrates not just Kynren’s 10^th anniversary season, but also the 200^th anniversary of the nearby Stockton and Darlington Railway. Audiences will witness a replica of Locomotion No.1 steaming across the stage, commemorating the birthplace of the modern railway.

Returning for 2025, the immersive Viking Village pre-show experience gives ticketholders a taste of Viking life. Guests can watch blacksmiths at work, meet characterful sheep, donkeys, and real Icelandic chickens, and practice battle cries with Viking warriors preparing for a raid.

Kynren – An Epic Tale of England takes audiences on an unforgettable 90-minute journey through 2,000 years of British history, myth, and legend. The story follows Arthur, a local boy who embarks on a time-travelling adventure after accidentally kicking a football through a window at Auckland Palace. From Boudicca’s rebellion to Viking invasions, medieval jousts, the Norman Conquest, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and the rise of industry, the show brings history vividly to life with awe-inspiring stunts, pyrotechnics, and seamless choreography.

Ranked five stars on Tripadvisor, Kynren’s dazzling outdoor-theatre spectacle is the must-see event of the summer. Performances start at sunset and finish in starlight every Saturday night from 19 July to 13 September.

Tickets are priced from £30 for adults and from £20 for under-18s, with children aged three and under free on an adult’s knee.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.kynren.com.

SHOW DATES AND TIMINGS FOR 2025:

• Saturday 19 July (Gates open at 6.45pm, performance starts at 9.15pm)

• Saturday 26 July (Gates open at 6.45pm, performance starts at 9.15pm)

• Saturday 2 August (Gates open at 6.45pm, performance starts at 9.15pm)

• Saturday 9 August (Gates open at 6.30pm, performance starts at 9pm)

• Saturday 16 August (Gates open at 6.15pm, performance starts at 8.45pm)

• Saturday 23 August (Gates open at 6pm, performance starts at 8.30pm)

• Saturday 30 August (Gates open at 5.45pm, performance starts at 8.15pm)

• Saturday 6 September (Gates open at 5.30pm, performance starts at 8pm)

• Saturday 13 September (Gates open at 5.15pm, performance starts at 7.45pm)