Earlier this year, Kynren welcomed seven fluffy new goslings to the rest of the show’s gaggle. Now fully grown, the geese have been strutting their stuff on stage and stealing the show throughout this summer’s run of the spectacular open-air production in Bishop Auckland.
The goslings hatched at Easter and have since been settling into life on the Kynren site, training alongside the show’s dedicated animal team – part of the 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew who bring 2,000 years of history to life each Saturday night.
One young volunteer, 8-year-old Lukas Emerson, has become especially close to the geese, forming a unique bond with them as they prepared for their debut season.
Lukas said: “I asked if I could help look after the goslings, even before they hatched, and I’ve learned so much about how to care for them! I love spending time with them; they follow me around when I visit them and I get to feed them all their favourite foods – they even eat out of my hand!”
The geese make their first stage appearance in Kynren’s Georgian Harvest scene, joining an ensemble of animals that includes sheep, goats, horses and even cows herded across the stage.
Volunteer Animal Team Leader, Karen Brass, who has worked with Kynren’s geese since 2019, added: “Lukas and the new geese are inseparable. It’s been amazing to watch their friendship grow – he’s given them so much care, and they clearly adore him back.”
Animals have always been part of Kynren’s storytelling magic – just as they have always been part of our lives. From the power and presence of Kynren’s 39 horses to sheep, goats, oxen, donkeys and, of course, geese, they walk alongside the cast to bring history vividly to life.
The result is one of the most immersive and unique shows in the world – a 90-minute journey through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend. Spellbinding and family-friendly, Kynren delivers thrills, shocks, tears, laughs, goosebumps and gasps on a truly cinematic scale.
With only a handful of performances left this season, now is the time to book tickets and experience the magic for yourself.
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England runs every Saturday evening until 13th September. Performances begin at sunset and end under starlight. Tickets are from £30 for adults and £20 for under 18s, with under-3s going free on an adult’s knee.
To book tickets, click here.