More than ten years ago, an outdoor theatre show, built on a former golf course in the shadow of Auckland Castle, may have seemed like a pipedream.
But fast forward a decade and Kynren – An Epic Tale of England not only still delights thousands each year but is now laying the foundations for a multi-million pound theme park.
The show - which sees an army of 1,000 volunteers take audiences on a journey through 2,000 years of British history - was described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the town when plans were unveiled in 2015.
And this summer will see another nine shows of spectacular jousting and horse stunts, flaming archers, and a breathtaking firework finale.
But this is more than just a job for chief executive officer Anna Warnecke.
She may be the boss of the attraction, but that doesn’t stop her from riding a Lustiano horse through a ball of flame and leaving audiences with jaws agape.
The 44-year-old sat down with The Northern Echo this month to talk all things Kynren - and why she couldn’t be prouder of the last ten years and the exciting future ahead.
Former five-star eventer Anna, who was born in Berlin, Germany, started coming to England when she was 19-years-old to ride before meeting her partner Graham Emerson at 21.
Graham lived on the farm next door to what eventually became Kynren, and across the next decade, Anna rose up the ranks from horse trainer to director of cavalry and then chief executive officer.
“I can't believe it has been ten years. It feels like just yesterday”, Anna told The Echo in Kynren’s sleek offices on a sun-soaked day at Flatts Farm.
“I feel a lot of pride. I love being involved in this project.”
Spades in the ground - and the ‘rewarding’ early days
There was a real buzz in Bishop Auckland and beyond when the spectacle, founded by philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer and his wife Jane, was preparing to open.
So much so that its trailer bagged a primetime television advert spot in between The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity.
Stokesley-born Jonathan, who attended Aysgarth School before becoming a stockbroker and a barrister, was drawn to Bishop in 2012 to protect the future of Auckland Palace.
Two years later, he founded charity Eleven Arches, which aimed to “transform history into unforgettable experiences” through a world-class visitor destination.
And shortly after, Kynren was born.
“The early days were really exciting”, Anna recalled. “We were neighbours and we started hearing about this theme park that was going to be built.
“It's my favourite field that is neighbouring this, so I was quite upset because I didn't really want rides and blinking lights!
“But then obviously we looked into it a little bit more and we heard what a wonderful and crazy plan it was of Jonathan to build a huge outdoor theatre to tell 2,000 years of British history.”
The apprehension turned to excitement and, very soon after, Anna got in touch to say she would love to help in any way she could.
“I was riding to quite a high level myself at the time and said I would love to help if they need training for the horses or the riders and that's what I started doing.
“So I started training riders and horses. In the first year, the stables weren't ready, so they were living in our yard and, in the middle of the night, we were riding them all back through the fields.
“It was just magical. In May, there wasn't even a track there, and it opened in July!
“It was just the pulling together of everybody doing their part, and seeing the end result was very special. It was really emotional.”
It was a year of huge achievements - and a few parties here and there - but Anna said it was a “really rewarding” experience that continued to grow.
“The show has evolved”, she said. “Both the quality and the storytelling.
“Everybody gets better at it. We have a huge return rate of our volunteers of 95 per cent, which is unheard of in volunteer organisations.
“But that means they know the choreography, so for them to take it to the next step is only a little step. But when you start from fresh, it's obviously a big one.”
Real family, Kynren ‘family’, and rising through the ranks
While Kynren itself feels like an actual family, its ties go as deep as blood.
Anna’s two children, Lucy, 12, and Lukas, eight, are both involved with the show, and she believes they’re creating a future for both her children and others.
“You can't really do it without your family being involved”, she explained.
“You won't believe how many nights we spent here, whether it's lighting design, whether it's the new projections, whether it's a tech run.
“But I think you just want to, because doing it together and then going home and talking about all the brilliant things that happened that night.
“Lukas always comes back with a fun story about what happened in his team room!”
Then there is the Kynren ‘family’, featuring volunteers and staff of all ages. And everyone we met on The Echo’s visit to Kynren, Anna knew by name.
“We have volunteers from aged five to 86-years-old. One kid that came in as an Arthur in the first year is still involved now and actually employed by us.
“It's just lovely to see them grow up.
“I think what we want to do is give opportunities, so if you grew up in this area and you're interested in what we are doing, it is nice to give the opportunity for people to stay here and not have to go down south.
“But equally, if we train someone up in tech and they want to go on a Disney cruise ship, it is fabulous because we have been part of that step of evolving their skills.
“We have volunteers who have never missed one show, and we are close to 100 shows!”
Anna is also well aware of the benefit volunteers get: “We have made differences, whether that is to mental health or whether that is someone having lost their partners and feeling lonely and coming here or whether that is just really skill based.
“But we are making really tangible differences with this regeneration project.
“It makes me feel happy to be involved in something like that because it makes what we are doing meaningful. And it's nice when you can say, okay, you've done something meaningful with the time that you have.”
Almost ten years of this passion saw Anna become chief executive officer of Kynren in January 2024, something she said was a “real honour”.
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She said: “I love having the opportunity to be the guardian of Kynren. And I am really, really grateful to Jonathan and Jane’s constant, unwavering support.
“And it’s the belief that we can do something really special in Bishop Auckland.”
Kynren At Ten: Stay tuned for two more features from The Northern Echo celebrating Kynren’s tenth anniversary later this summer.
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