Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK. This time around, we are talking all things Kynren an epic tale of England, so settle in and get ready, the review is about to begin!
Disclaimer: We were gifted two press tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show. A review of the full experience (including logistics, preshow entertainment, on site facilities and more will be available on our TikTok, Facebook, Threads and our Instagram.)
Kynren: an epic tale of England is a multisensory show that brings 2000 years of history to life through acting, music, special effects and pyrotechnics. Performing in Bishop Auckland, the show has really helped in putting Bishop on the map! But before the show even begins, guests are welcomed into a viking settlement to watch the blaskmiths at work, farmers tending to their crops and villiagers having a casual fight in the middle of town. The preshow entertainment was a great warm up act and really sets the scene for what you are about to experience. After a walk around the villiage, a trip to the food and drink facilities, its time to take your seats in the 8000 seat tribune to watch 29 scenes brough to life.
Boasting a crew of over 1000 people, Kynren is a show with huge scenes and even bigger special effects. The story follows Arthur, a young boy who travels back in time to find himself, his ancestry and what it means to be from England. Facing Romans, Scotts and various other foes, Arthur travels back over 2000 years and continues to time jump through some of the major historical events that shaped England into the country it is now.
This year, Kynren is also celebrating 200 years of the British Railway, with a whole section around the Darlington – Stockton Railway. With a spectacular 7.5-acre stage, the show has some spectacular set pieces and props like a pair of steam engines, castle facades and horse drawn carts.
The show is a real spectacle and is a really impressive feat of theatricality combined with history and a great community builder for the North East. Sat among several reviewers from the North East, it was nice to be able to listen our for our town names or mentions of key historical moments that resonated with us individually.
This show is a must for anyone in the North East, or further afield, with an interest in history or theatre. The show is a perfect blend of history and theatre, and offers a spectacular night of entertainment for all the family.
Accessibility
The show contains scenes of violence, war, death, blood and fighting. The show also contains fireworks, pyrotechnics and scenes containing references to or visuals of fire and explosions. The fireworks are loud in some scenes, specifically the miners scene. Once all miners have reached the back of the stage and ascended the steps, there is a short scene and then (what I think is) a concussion decoy that emits a really loud bang and smoke. The music can be a bit loud, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming and it isn’t out of the blue.
The venue, as far as I could tell, is accessed by steps, with seats staggering up the steps almost like bleachers, but with individual seats.
Value For Money
The show does offer alot of bang for its buck, with fireworks, animal handling and specialist training. I think £60 is about right for a theatre show of this scale and with central view seats. I will say I was sat in row Z (the seats go back to row SS) and found myself having to turn my head one way or the other and missing other elements. I can’t tell if sitting further back is the way to go or sitting closer and really focusing in one specific aspects.
Have your say!
Have you seen Kynren? Let me know what you thought about it in the comments and let’s get a discussion going.
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