Stuart Forster discusses photography of Kynren at Bishop Auckland.

During a press preview of Kynren at Bishop Auckland in County Durham, I had an opportunity to photograph the outdoor spectacle billed as ‘an epic tale of England’.

Disclosure: Stuart was invited to attend Kynren as a member of the press.

Light show during the final scene of Kynren.

Photography of Kynren at Bishop Auckland

The first of 11 public performances of Kynren in 2019 took place on 29 June. The shows were held each Saturday evening until 14 September with the exception of 3 August. 

Scene depicting chimneys belching smoke, pit wheels and coal mining during the Industrial Revolution.

As many as 1,000 residents of Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area volunteer their time so that Kynren can be staged.

Fireworks light the night sky during Kynren.

A spectacular event

Many don costumes and play roles. Yet in addition to the performers, 21 other teams are needed to stage the event, including divers, stewards and animal handlers.

Lights shine into the night sky during Kynren.

I was impressed by the positive attitude of the volunteers in the car park and at the gate, checking bags and tickets. 

Scene depicting a woman from the Suffragette movement during Kynren.

The tribune at Flatts Farm holds 8,000 spectators. 450 people were present during the press preview.

A rustic scene from Georgian times, including geese being herded.

Low light photography

The show got underway shortly before dusk. From the perspective of photography, that posed the challenge of photographing in low light.

Scene depicting the English Civil War during Kynren.

On the other hand, the lighting ensured that colourful costumes stood out.

Performer playing Bishop Bek of Durham.

It also enabled images to be projected onto water. A film was sprayed upwards from the lake that forms part of the vast set.

A painting commissioned by a Bishop of Durham is projected onto water during Kynren.

Normally photography is prohibited during performances of Kynren. That makes sense as it means onlookers can concentrate on the spectacle without being distracted by the glare of fellow spectators’ smartphones or people moving about to grab that ‘perfect’ shot.

Shots of a different kind…a scene depicting the Western Front during World War One.

One challenge that I didn’t expect to encounter during the press preview was other photographers moving about during the performance. At times they inadvertently got into my frame.

Scene depicting fighting between the Saxons and Normans at the Battle of Hastings.

My position up in the tribune made it tricky to freeze the action of horses galloping in front of the grandstand. I’d have preferred to be down low for those shots, but my position allowed me to capture much of the action effectively.

A more sedately moving horse during a scene depicting the Roman invasion of Britain.

A synopsis of Kynren

The story of Kynren tells how a boy named Arthur travels back in time to see key moments from English history unfold.

Young Arthur meets Old Arthur at the beginning of Kynren.

The means being on hand to view events such as the Roman Army marching into the land named Britannia, the arrival of the Vikings from Scandinavia and the Norman conquest.

The Roman Army marches into Britain.

A Viking village has been erected behind a palisade close to the tribune.

Woman tending horses in the Viking village.

It depicts aspects of everyday life for Norse folk who settled in England.

Woman gather wool at the Viking village.

Visitors have an opportunity to get up close and see performers in Viking costumes.

Men playing the role of Vikings in the Viking village.

The village is a new addition to Kynren for 2019.

Men playing the role of Vikings form a shield wall.

Characters such as King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria make appearances.

Scene depicting the meeting of Kings Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold.

Pyrotechnics ensured I had to stay alert to get the best shots possible.

Pyrotechnics shoot a jet of fire into the evening sky.

So too did the spectacular emergence of a Viking longboat. I won’t give away any spoilers as to how that happened.

A long boat emerges during a scene depicting the Viking invasion of Britain.

Kynren impressed me as a spectacle and concluded with a memorable fireworks display. If you’re planning a visit during 2019, you’ve got a treat ahead of you.

The cast gathers under fireworks during the final scene of Kynren.

Useful information

Find out more about the show and ticket availability on the Kynren website.

Bishop Auckland is approximately 10 miles southeast of Durham City. See the This is Durham website for information the town and other destinations in County Durham.

Why Eye Photography is based in North East England and available for commissions. Call 07947 587136 or email [email protected] to discuss your photography requirements.

You can also view photos from the 2018 Tall Ships Race in Sunderland, the Durham Miners’ Gala and Great Exhibition of the North on this website.

Use Pinterest? Pin this and return to the whyeyephotography.com blog post about photography of Kynren at Bishop Auckland in County Durham.