Kynren – The Storied Lands will soon transport visitors through history, myth and legend with a string of “breathtaking” live action performances on a scale unseen before in Bishop Auckland.
The theme park may have only been announced in February, but talks have been ongoing for years over how to expand Kynren – and now there’s a “real buzz” for what’s next.
And, as thousands watched Kyrnen across this summer, crews have been busy getting spades in the ground for the exciting new development.
Construction is already underway on the mammoth project, with steel frames being put in the ground for The Lost Feather show during the Echo’s tour.
Once open, The Lost Feather will immerse visitors in a 3,600-capacity bird nest arena, where they will be able to watch birds soar through the sky from the stands.
It is being created under the guidance of two leading figures in avian care, training, and conservation – Jimmy Robinson, curator of birds and conservation, and Andy Hallsworth, assistant curator of birds and training.
“The Lost Feather is already being built and the aviaries and birds are there”, said chief executive Anna Warnecke.
“It is still an enormous task, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not as crazy as it may sound; if you wanted to start back from scratch, not a chance. But the infrastructure, whether that’s the toilet blocks or the Kynren stage, it’s all there.”
Next year will also see the launch of The Legend of the Wear, a giant lake with water stunts that will tell the tale of the Lambton Worm myth, and Fina, a show where medieval knights will clash on horseback with daring stunts.
Other additions will eventually include a Viking show described as “multi-sensory spectacle of Norse life” and the arrival of an entire Victorian village, which has been purchased from the now-closed Flambards theme park in Helston, Cornwall.
