Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is set to make a spectacular return to its Bishop Auckland outdoor stage in County Durham for 2024.
Following a hugely successful summer season which brought glowing reviews from broadcasters, journalists and thousands of visitors, tickets are now on sale for next year’s multi-award-winning live-action show.
TV celebrity Robson Green, who watched a performance as part of his BBC2 series Weekend Escapes, said: “It’s an event I shall never forget. Kynren is a comfort blanket for the soul.”
The show has received the Traveller’s Choice Award for 2023 from TripAdvisor, and the website added dozens of positive reviews about the mesmerising summer performances to the thousands already recorded for the experience.
One family left a review describing it as a “complete feast for the eyes”, with a couple adding: “Without question, this is the most magnificent live show/pageant that we have ever seen. The performance of the volunteers was utterly professional, and the lighting and scenery were superb. Words cannot express how much we enjoyed this stupendous event.”
Another family added: “We went to see the final show on 9 September, which was absolutely stunning. The 90 minutes fly by as there is so much to see. The whole experience was superb and well organised, from arriving on site to leaving. It is just beautiful to watch – fantastic – five stars!!”
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Auckland Castle, Kynren is a dramatic re-telling of 2,000 years of English history. Audiences embark on a spellbinding voyage through history, myth and legend, as seen through the eyes of Arthur, the son of a mining family.
Amy Smith of The Northern Echo said: “Kynren was certainly not a show to be missed. It was my first time visiting, and it did not disappoint. I left frantically searching for how to volunteer to be a part of the performance next year!”
Ticket sales increased by 35 per cent in 2023 compared to last year, thanks to a combination of loyal audiences from the North East and a return from tourists outside the region. An impressive 42% per cent of people who watched the show came from outside the region, compared to 33% per cent last year. Kynren’s ability to be a trip attractor to County Durham and the wider region for visitors from the rest of the country and beyond is at the heart of its positive impact on the local economy, boosting overnight tourist numbers to County Durham and the wider region.
The show was ranked Number 2 on The Times’ list of best days out with the kids, highlighting its appeal to the entire family, creating a wonderful experience that can be shared across generations. Kynren will have an additional date in 2024 based on the popularity and success of this year’s shows. There will be eight performances from Saturday, July 27, until Saturday, September 14.
Discounted tickets are already available as a part of an Early Bird deal, which offers 25 per cent off all seating categories (except VIP tickets, which are 15 per cent off). The offers are valid until October 31.
Tickets include a seat in the tribune to watch the 90-minute spectacular show, which starts in daylight and ends in starlight, and pre-show access to 11Arches grounds where you can enjoy food and drink from various outlets.
Unique in the UK, Kynren features combat, daring stunts, horsemanship, stunning pyrotechnics and amazing special effects set to a thrilling original soundtrack by movie scores composer Nathan Stornetta.
For more information and to book go to www.11arches.com/tickets/kynren
