Sparks fly and swords clash in Kynren's viking village ahead of tenth anniversary season

Sparks fly and swords clash in Kynren's viking village ahead of tenth anniversary season

Volunteers at Kynren – An Epic Tale of England are learning heritage and combat skills at the attraction’s Viking Village, ahead of the ten-year anniversary season starting on Saturday 19th July.  

Kynren’s pre-show entertainment experience features a recreated 9th century Viking settlement complete with a cookhouse, vegetable patch and Viking cottages. The Viking Village also includes a working blacksmith’s forge and volunteers are being taught how to make chainmail and armour there to bring these skills to life when visitors step back in time in this immersive experience. 

Anna Warnecke, CEO at Kynren, said: “It’s not easy work – the heat and heavy tools make working in the forge a tough task, but so far Kynren’s volunteers have been up to it and are really interested in learning this bygone skill.

“During rehearsals, our volunteers have been training to make items which the Vikings who settled in Northern England would have created. When our summer season is in full flow, our visitors will be able to watch our dedicated team in action every Saturday evening before Kynren's live action show begins.”

The Viking Village offers an insight into how the Scandinavian invaders lived in the north east of England, giving guests extra value for money and even more to enjoy before they take their seats for the 90-minute spectacle. 

Kynren’s 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew have access to training and learning new skills pertinent to their roles within the award-winning production. These blacksmith techniques are just some of the heritage learning, which also includes weaving, that takes place as rehearsals get underway. 

Wendy Wilshere, head of volunteer casting and engagement at Kynren, believes it’s these wider opportunities that build confidence and see volunteers return year after year. Wendy said: “Volunteering at Kynren is intergenerational and people from all walks of life take part. It’s wonderful to see them getting involved, being curious and learning things they’ve not tried before. The blacksmith’s forge is certainly a highly specialised area in the Kynren offering and makes for an exciting pre-show experience!”

As well as watching the blacksmiths at work, visitors inside the Viking Village can look out for adorable Icelandic chickens whose origins can be traced back to the 9th century as well as warriors practicing their swordsmanship and battle cries, for a peek of what’s to come during the live action blockbuster on the seven-and-a-half-acre-stage.

Stage combat, animal husbandry and choreography are additional skills taught on the Bishop Auckland site, with the sword skills featuring throughout the Viking scenes depicting the invasion of the Norse ancestors.

The Viking volunteers in the cast are currently completing their final rehearsals as they practice the complex combination of meticulous footwork and precise sword movements to bring this iconic time in history to life, both in the Viking Village and on the seven-and-a-half acre stage. 

The dazzling outdoor-theatre spectacular is ranked 5* on Tripadvisor and the scale and complexity of the production, from the spectacle of the costumes and the sets to the mind-blowing stunts and flawless choreography are what make Kynren the must-see event this summer. 

The 90-minute performances start at sunset and end in starlight and will be taking place every Saturday night from 19th July to 13th September.  

Tickets cost from £30 for adults and from £20 for under 18s. Children aged 3 and under are free when sat on an adult’s knee. 

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