“BIGGER, better and brighter" is the promise and organisers are confident they will deliver this when the second season of Kynren opens on Saturday night.

Up to 8,000 people, many of them new to the show, will be treated to 29 moments in history thanks to the help of more volunteers, special effects and more detail than last year.

After a successful first season, organisers have spent months making sure the open air spectacular will exceed the expectations of new and returning visitors.

Britain’s Celtic leader Queen Boudicca will be one of the most noticeable additions to the show but there will also be appearances from the Venerable Bede, Prince Bishop Bek, Bishop Trevor and Henry VIII’s “fixer-in-chief” Cardinal Wolsey for the first time.

Those attending the opening night will receive a free goodie bag, be welcomed by live music from the Spennymoor and Ferryhill colliery bands and treated to extra fireworks.

Creative director Steve Boyd, who was instrumental in designing the opening ceremonies at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, has also expanded on some of the old scenes and the returning visitors are promised they will see the difference in the amount of detail to last year.

The Northern Echo: SUPPORT: Kynren has about 1,500 volunteers taking part this year. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH.

SUPPORT: Kynren has about 1,500 volunteers taking part this year. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Anne-Isabelle Daulon, chief executive of Eleven Arches, said: “We are greatly looking forward to welcoming visitors to the premiere of Kynren 2017 this Saturday.

“This is the moment that we have all been waiting for since last season’s final performance in September. Since then, our heads have been spinning with ideas and plans to make the second season even more spectacular.

“As a result, Kynren is indeed bigger, better and brighter this year and we are confident that both returning and first time visitors will be captivated by the extraordinary scale, emotion and vibrancy of the show.”

She added: “The overwhelming response from the local community for this year has allowed us to expand our cast and crew of volunteers to almost 1,500, without whom Kynren would not be possible.

“And under Steve Boyd’s creative direction we’ve added new content, extra layers of depth and detail, flamboyant special effects and dazzling pyrotechnics to create an emotional feast for the senses.”

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KYNREN 2017

  • Wear warm and waterproof clothing as the Tribune is uncovered and comfortable footwear is recommended as there is a 15 minute walk from car parks and drop-off areas to the site.
  • Umbrellas are not permitted. Rain ponchos can be purchased for £4
  • Cameras are allowed without the flash but no filming is permitted.
  • Food and drink is not allowed beyond the ticket and security checks – this includes picnic hampers, cool boxes and shopping bags. Only handbags and transparent plastic bags are allowed (40cmx30cmx20cm)
  • There is a Food Village located next to the Tribune where food and drink can be purchased – no food is allowed in the Tribune but drinks can be consumed.
  • Visitors must take their seats 15 minutes before the show starts.
  • There are no left luggage facilities within the grounds, except for pushchairs.

Car parking

  • There is a 15-minute walk from the car parks and drop-off points to the site
  • Visitors using car parks C, E, F and H are asked to be at their bus pick-up points at the times stated on the tickets, failure to do so may mean you miss the start of the show. Parking vouchers (£7) for these must have been purchased in advance, although there may be some space on the night at a cost of £25.
  • Car park A is for blue badge holders and D is for people with low mobility.

The Northern Echo:

Tickets

  • To book, visit elevenarches.org or call 03333-003028
  • Prices (adults/children) are Diamond £55/£41, Platinum £47/£35, Gold £40/£30, Silver £32/£24 and Bronze £25/£19
  • For groups of more than 20, email groups@kynren.co.uk

• Reporter Katie Richardson will be setting the scene live from Kynren on Saturday night - follow the build-up and the show at thenorthernecho.co.uk