WITH less than two months to the launch of County Durham live action night show ‘Kynren – an epic tale of England’, the effort to create and source some 2,500 props is stepping up a pace.

The Eleven Arches’ 30-strong Props Team, made up of volunteers from the local community, are in the process of making around 1,400 items to feature in Kynren, which launches in Bishop Auckland on July 2 and tells the story of 2,000 years of British history, encompassing Roman times, the Viking invasions, the Industrial Revolution and Second World War, as seen through the eyes of the North-East.

Items that the team is tasked with creating include flails and hammers to be used during the Georgian Renaissance scenes, Roman shields and drums, quivers, crowns, spears and slaves’ cuffs.

Raphaêl Daguet, stage designer for Eleven Arches’ artistic partner Puy du Fou and assistant show producer for ‘Kynren’, said: “We are undertaking significant research to ensure historic authenticity to bring to life this epic journey through British history.

“The designs are then adapted for show purpose based on the artistic directions of Puy du Fou and practical criteria like weight and size, before the props team consider the best and most cost-effective way to make them.

“The effort that the team is putting in as we head towards the launch date is significant, and without the much-valued commitment from our volunteers we wouldn’t be able to deliver such an ambitious project.”

In addition to the creation of props, Eleven Arches is calling on the good nature of the general public to donate or loan historic props for use in the show including 1920s bicycles and cars, fanfare drums and accordions.

For more information, go to kynren.co.uk or call 0844-5811252.